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NFL Saturday Showdown: Playoff Spots on the Line!
3 Jan
Summary
- Two Saturday games will decide playoff fates and NFC division titles.
- Winner of 49ers-Seahawks game claims NFC West and top seed.
- Steelers and Ravens battle for the final AFC playoff spot.
The NFL's Week 18 schedule kicks off on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with a compelling NFC double-header. The Carolina Panthers will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the afternoon, followed by a prime-time clash between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. This late-season matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks will determine the NFC West champion and the conference's top seed heading into the postseason.
The league traditionally forgoes Thursday and Monday Night Football in Week 18 to consolidate all games, amplifying the excitement as teams vie for playoff positioning. This Saturday's games, broadcast on both ABC and ESPN, promise high stakes, with playoff berths and division titles hanging in the balance for multiple teams.
As the regular season concludes, attention will turn to the upcoming NFL playoffs, scheduled to begin on January 10, 2026. The official playoff schedule is expected to be announced on Sunday, January 4, during the Sunday Night Football broadcast. The final AFC playoff spot will be decided as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in a winner-take-all Sunday Night Football showdown.
