NFL Week 18 Wraps Up Regular Season, Sets Stage for Playoffs

The NFL‘s 2024 regular season concluded with Week 18, setting the stage for the playoffs and determining the final seeds in both the AFC and NFC. The Detroit Lions secured the NFC North title and the conference’s No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history after a hard-fought victory over the Minnesota Vikings on ‘Sunday Night Football.’ The Lions finished the season with a 15-2 record, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) clinched the top seed and a first-round bye, while the Buffalo Bills (13-4) secured the No. 2 seed. The Baltimore Ravens (12-5) and Houston Texans (10-7) won their respective divisions, rounding out the top four seeds in the AFC. The Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) and Denver Broncos (10-7) claimed the final wild-card spots, with the Broncos ending a nine-year playoff drought.

The NFC playoff picture saw the Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) lock in the No. 2 seed, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) and Los Angeles Rams (10-7). The Buccaneers won their fourth consecutive NFC South title, while the Rams dropped to the No. 4 seed after a Week 18 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Green Bay Packers (11-6) and Washington Commanders (12-5) secured the final NFC wild-card berths.

Key matchups in the wild-card round include the Packers facing the Eagles, the Rams hosting the Vikings, and the Chargers traveling to Houston. The Ravens and Steelers will meet for the third time this season in a highly anticipated AFC North showdown.

With the regular season complete, the focus now shifts to the playoffs, culminating in Super Bowl 59. Teams like the Lions, Bills, and Texans are aiming to make history by capturing their first-ever Lombardi Trophy.