Week Eighteen Review: Play Off Spots are Finalised
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If there is ANYONE out there who doesn’t think that the NFL is worth a watch, then you need to show them the fourth quarter of game 272 of the 2025 season! It was absolute pandemonium! While Superbowl 60, whoever may play in that, may attract huge viewing numbers, THIS AFC north deciding game, between the Steelers and the Ravens, had it all! Interceptions … flags thrown, then rescinded … agony and ecstasy! It was even preceded by the field being blessed by a local priest: and the most unlikely of finishes: TWO composed and (usually) reliable kickers missing! I will review this amazing game for you, as well as reviewing the post season schedule and then bring you up to date with the Black Monday firings.
AFC North Decider ends in Dramatic Fashion
Well, have you got your voice back, has your heart rate lowered? This one was well worth staying up for! The game was pitched as the former four-time league MVP, Aaron Rodgers, versus two time MVP and perennial candidate Lamar Jackson: a duel and shootout akin to the classic westerns: instead a defensive stalemate ensued, and two kickers were left to duke it out … the Ravens’ rookie Tyler Loop and the Steelers’ most effective weapon in the past few seasons, Chris Boswell. Before the fourth quarter hysteria, with the Ravens leading 10-3 and scuppering the Steelers’ passing game, an injury to the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton set the wheels in motion for the passing game to finally compliment the run. Rodgers avoided the former Fighting Irishman’s area of the field. Rodgers appeared liberated following Hamilton’s injury when targeting the middle of the field: reaching an open Pat Freiermuth for a fourteen yard pass: resulting in a TD during that drive: and a Field Goal in the next.
All hell broke loose during a frantic Fourth Quarter: Next Gent Stats helped sum up the madness with the following breakdown:
08:27 – Zay Flowers 50-yard touchdown reception from Lamar Jackson, Ravens lead 17-13
03:49 – Kenneth Gainwell 2-yard touchdown run, Steelers lead 20-17
02:20 – Zay Flowers 64-yard touchdown reception from Lamar Jackson, Ravens lead 24-20
00:55 – Calvin Austin III 26-yard touchdown reception from Aaron Rodgers, Chris Boswell misses extra point, Steelers lead 26-24
00:21 – Isaiah Likely 26-yard reception from Lamar Jackson on fourth-and-7
00:00 – Tyler Loop missed 44-yard field goal, Steelers win 26-24
It was classic Rodgers and classic peak Lamar Jackson: it was a thrill to watch as a neutral: it seemed both defences were powerless to stop either man. Boswell’s miss after Calvin Austin III’s go-ahead TD left the door open for the Ravens’ to win the AFC North and progress to the play-offs. Alas it was not to be for Loop and the Ravens. It was a great relief for Steelers fans that Aaron Rodgers’s fans to see his “final season” extended and he returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.
Ravens 24 Steelers 26
End of Regular Season
As if that drama was enough to whet your appetite, we now move to “the business end” of the post season. THIS is when the NFL truly shines. The American Football Conference will be contested by the Denver Broncos (14-3, AFC West winners), the New England Patriots (14-3, AFC East winners), the Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4, AFC South winners), the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, AFC North winners), the Houston Texans (12-5, wild card No. 1), Buffalo Bills (12-5, wild card No. 2) and the Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, wild card No. 3): and it appears a stronger side of the draw (that said, NOTHING in the NFL ought to surprise us).
The National Football Conference will be see the Seattle Seahawks (14-3, NFC West winners), the Chicago Bears (11-6, NFC North winners), Philadelphia Eagles (11-6, NFC East winners), Carolina Panthers (8-9, NFC South winners), Los Angeles Rams (12-5, wild card No. 1), San Francisco 49ers (12-5, wild card No. 2) and the Green Bay Packers (9-7-1, wild card No. 3) seek to take on the AFC winners in Superbowl 60 on Sunday 8th February.
Overview of Wildcard Fixtures
There will be some fascinating matchups on offer during the Wild Card Weekend! On Saturday, 10th January the Los Angeles Rams take on the Carolina Panthers in the early fixture. Then the Green Bay Packers travel to the Chicago Bears for the Prime Video evening game. On Sunday, the 11th, the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Buffalo Bills at the 6pm Irish time game. Then the San Francisco 49ers play NFC East winning Philadelphia Eagles after that game. Then the Los Angeles Chargers host Drake Maye and the New England Patriots in the late game. On Monday, 12th January it is the Houston Texans visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers to end the Wild Card week. Start buying your coffee, Monster, Red Bull and say goodbye to your social life!
Firings
Unfortunately, after the end of every regular season fixture list we experience the dreaded Black Monday. For fans of the unsuccessful teams, Coaches and GMs get the brunt of the season’s failures (some would deem changes in the board rooms or owner’s box to be fairer). The Atlanta Falcons were one of the first to “clean house,” with the announcement that they were relieving head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot of their respective responsibilities. After a 8-9 season, the Cleveland Browns released a media statement explaining Kevin Stefanski too would be following Raheem Morris and Brian Callahan (Titans) and Brian Daboll (Giants) as coaches fired during and after the 2025 regular season. Prior to publishing, the Raiders announced that their fourth HC in four years, Pete Carroll, would also be leaving his post, this was no surprise after an underwhelming 3-14 season: at least Charlie Smyth was given the opportunity by Carroll. As previously stated, these firings are merely changes at the surface, when deeper issues remain at the respective squads.
As 2026 begins, we wave goodbye to some teams from the competition and some players retire, but we get to look forward to the match ups and the inevitable debates on Reddit, podcasts and WhatsApp groups. They will only become more heated as the calendar rolls to a new year and the Play Offs are on the schedule! No matter your affiliation, I implore you to block out the noise of the news headlines and to enjoy the hours you get to watch some of the world’s finest athletes showcase their skills and composure for us! Enjoy it!