The final week of the NFL regular season and TV has the playoff race covered

January 5, 2025

Week 18 of the NFL season and there is still some playoff drama. This weekend marks the end of the 2024 regular season and while plenty of teams have made the playoffs there is room for a few more. Despite six teams in both the AFC and the NFC with playoff spots the drama remains in seeding and division champs.

So, starting Saturday and going through late Sunday there are plenty of compelling storylines to follow as we look forward to the postseason. As you might expect the television networks will feature, the key games on Saturday and Sunday with playoff implications.

Sunday the Bucs and the Falcons in the NFC South

Most of the country will see the FOX duo of Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady in Raymond James Stadium for the Buccaneers and the Saints at 1 p.m. Like the Ravens and Browns game on Saturday, if Tampa Bay wins then they capture the NFC South in front of their old QB Mr. Brady. If they lose, they are out of the playoff hunt.

Atlanta’s path to the division title rests on a Bucs loss and the Falcons beating Carolina and that is their only shot the postseason. CBS has the Panthers and the Falcons as their primary 1 p.m. game with Ian Eagle and Charles Davis on the call.

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Broncos outside chance to make the NFL playoffs

Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will bring fans the Kansas City and Dever as the 4 p.m. game nationally on CBS./Paramount+ The Broncos need to win and have Miami and Cincinnati both lose or tie. The Broncos came up short the first two times of clinching a playoff spot., first after blowing a 24-13 lead against the Chargers and then by falling to the Bengals with 1:07 left in overtime. Third time could be the charm, if Denver can defeat Kansas City at home.

Minnesota and Detroit in Primetime

It is fitting that the two best teams in the NFC will face off on Sunday Night Football on NBC/Peacock as Detroit and Minnesota vie for the NFC North title. The Lions can’t lose to the Vikings in the regular-season finale, or else they’ll miss out on retaining the NFC North title. More importantly, the No. 1 seed — and the first-round bye and home-field advantage that come with it — will also be up for grabs in Detroit.

Meanwhile, The Vikings will take their NFL-leading nine-game winning streak into Ford Field on Sunday night, looking to lock down the NFC’s No. 1 seed, regain the division throne and avenge an earlier loss to the Lions.