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NFL Week 18 scores: Live playoff picture updates, results, analysis as teams battle for playoff spots

The 2023 playoff bracket is almost set

The 2023 NFL regular season wraps up Sunday with what has already been a wild Week 18. In the early window, we saw the Jacksonville Jaguars get eliminated from playoff contention with the Tennessee Titans playing spoiler, which gave the AFC South title to the Houston Texans. We also saw the Atlanta Falcons eliminated from playoff contention with a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed the NFC South for the third straight season with a 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers.

In the late window, the drama ramped up quite a bit. The Cowboys claimed the NFC East with a win over the Commanders, but would've won it regardless of that victory due to the Giants' upset win over the Eagles. Now, Dallas is the No. 2 seed while Philly stands as the No. 5 seed in the conference. The Packers clinched a playoff berth with their win over the Bears, and the Rams are the No. 6 seed after they were able to beat the 49ers. 

Here's a look at the entire playoff picture in the NFC. 

  • Packers (7) at Cowboys (2)
  • Rams (6) at Lions (3)
  • Eagles (5) at Buccaneers (4)

All that is left to be determined is the AFC East, which will culminate in a showdown between the Bills and Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. The winner will be the No. 2 seed in the conference and division champions, while the other will enter the postseason as a wild card opponent.  

Below, we will keep tabs on that remaining matchup and highlight playoff implications that come with it.

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Live updates
 

A potential disaster for Philadelphia. A.J. Brown is down on the field holding his knee. The Eagles star wideout injured himself on a catch from Jalen Hurts where he later fumbled after pushing Philly into the red zone. The Giants will retain possession with a 3-0 lead, and now all eyes shift to Brown's health.  

 

Rams knotted up at seven with the 49ers after Carson Wentz connected with Puka Nacua for a touchdown. L.A. has a playoff spot clinched but is still fighting for seeding, albeit with some backups. A win would lock them into the No. 6 seed, but a loss could see them fall to the No. 7 seed. 

 

The Seahawks are up 3-0 over the Cardinals midway through the first quarter. If they hang on and the Packers (currently trailing the Bears 3-0) lose, they enter as a wild-card opponent. 

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Early development in the NFC East race. The Cowboys just went up 7-0 over the Commanders with Dak Prescott tossing a touchdown to Jalen Tolbert. Meanwhile, the Giants just went up 3-0 over the Eagles. Dallas claims the NFC East with a win or Philadelphia loss, so they are in good shape early. 

 

Commanders went for it on fourth down again on the opening drive and this time the Cowboys were able to turn the ball over on downs. Strong day for a Dallas team, who would clinch the NFC East with a win (or Eagles loss). 

 

Bears open their final game against the Packers with an opening 37-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. Up 3-0 over the Packers, who are trying to secure a playoff spot with a win. 

 

Washington showing early aggressiveness against Dallas as they try to play spoiler in the NFC East race. Convert a fourth-and-1 on the opening drive. 

 

Here's the full breakdown for the final NFC wild-card spot (assuming no ties): 

  • Packers: Win vs. Bears
  • Seahawks: Win vs. Cardinals + Packers loss
  • Saints: Packers loss + Seahawks loss
 

If something crazy happens tonight and the Dolphins-Bills game ends in a tie, Miami will host the Steelers and Buffalo will head to Kansas City to face the Chiefs.

 

Another development in the NFC: Given the results from the early window, the Packers are now in a win-or-go-home scenario as they host the Chicago Bears.  

 

The AFC playoff teams are set. However, seeding scenarios are still yet to be determined, specifically as we look toward Bills-Dolphins tonight. 

If the Dolphins win: The Dolphins will host the Bills next week in a rematch.
If the Bills win: The Dolphins travel to Kansas City to face the Chiefs (Tyreek Hill's first game back at Arrowhead). Buffalo would then host the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

 

Final scores from 1 p.m. slate

Jaguars 20, Titans 28

Buccaneers 9 Panthers 0

Browns 14 Bengals 31

 
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AFC playoff picture following 1 p.m. slate

1. Baltimore Ravens

2. Miami Dolphins

3. Kansas City Chiefs

4. Houston Texans 

5. Cleveland Browns

6. Buffalo Bills

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaguars have been eliminated. 

 

Lawrence fires over the head of Engram on fourth and short, and this one may be over.

Titans take over with 1:47 remaining. Jags have no timeouts. 

 

Jaguars facing a fourth-and-2 with 1:50 remaining in the game. No timeouts. 

 

Ridley dropped a ball deep downfield.... Could have been a touchdown. 

 

Jaguars get the ball with 2:18 remaining. Down 28-20 with no timeouts remaining. 

 

Circling back to Jaguars-Titans, Jags have now spent their final timeout ahead of a Tennessee third-and-11 at the Titans' 36-yard line.

28-20 Titans with 3:15 remaining. 

 
 

Up 41-17 with 8:02 remaining, the Saints now need a Seahawks loss and Packers loss. 

 
 

The Buccaneers are your NFC South champions for the third straight year, and will host either the Eagles or Cowboys.

9-0 victory over Carolina, who became just the 3rd team since 2000 to be shutout in back-to-back games (2008 Browns, 2000 Bengals)

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Down 8 points with 7 minutes remaining, the Jaguars go for it on fourth-and-goal. The Titans stuff Lawrence at the goal line. 

Maybe it's just me but I would kick it there. Plenty of time. 

 

Fourth quarter score update

Jaguars 20 Titans 28 10:13 Q4

Falcons 17 Saints 34 10:00 Q4

Buccaneers 9 Panthers 0 5:26 Q4

 

Jaguars! Huge play. 
 
 
 

Here we go. The Jaguars go 63 yards on 10 plays, and Lawrence finds Engram for a 14-yard touchdown. 

20-28 Titans with 14:55 remaining. 
 

Buccaneers add 3 points

9-0 early in the fourth quarter

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