NFL 2025-2026 season

The Bears didn't win

Both teams need to improve their defenses and pass rushing if they want to go all the way. And they were missing a lot of their best players at the end.

Good news for San Fran is that Kittle's probable for next week, and saying it quietly, Fred Warner plans to return towards the end of January.

MNF
Sky Sports NFL
Rams @ Falcons - 01.15 Tuesday

The Buccaneers road to the playoffs took a bit of hit
Now they need:
A Win AND a Falcons loss

^^ There's a strange anomaly regarding the tie-break picture in the NFC South. As ukusgolf has highlighted, a Buccs win & a Falcons loss will result in a 2 way tie between the Panthers & Buccs, both teams will have identical divisional & conference records, but I believe the Buccs would advance to the Playoffs by virtue of a superior record against common opponents.
If both the Buccs & Falcons win it results in a 3 way tie & the formula is to compare records between all 3 teams which puts the Panthers through (Panthers 3-1 Buccs 2-2 Falcons 1-3).

EDIT : The point I was trying to rather clumsily make was that in both scenarios the Panthers & Buccs have identical records, same wins & loses, in a head to head one team makes the Post Season, but add in the Falcons into a head to head to head & the other team advances to the Playoffs.

Falcons only have the Saints (who are playing much better the last 2 months) last game.

Funny how all the graphics at the end of the Miami vs Tampa game was displaying the next week's game between Tampa and Carolina as win and in and winner takes all

They obviously didn't expect Atlanta to beat LA and make this scenario a possibility

I'd personally like Carolina to win so the division winner has a winning record at least.

I wouldn't change the format as I do like how winning the division means so much and divisional games carry that extra importance but it's hard to argue that an a 8-9 team deserves a home playoff game vs a 12-5 or even a 13-4 team should it be the Seahawks.

The Panthers might be due this week. They've alternated wins and losses the last TEN weeks.
The Bucs are 1-7 since their bye week. Ouch

The Saints and Falcons are dangerous teams who are playing how teams with nothing to play should play, causing chaos within the division.

If the winner of the South happens to win the wild card matchup, there will be some pressure to change the seeding in the future.
It's a steep fall for the Rams, they entered week 16 as the clear favorites, and were up big against the Seahawks.

(29-12-2025 13:34 )Rammyrascal Wrote:  Wouldn't be surprised if Bears rest players next week as they now have nothing to play for having clinched a home playoff game already

I was looking forward to some friendly banter with Rammy this week but the game means nothing now Bears clinched the home playoff game and will likely play Packers regardless and Lions are in a position where it’s better to lose to get that 4th place schedule next year, hopefully with a healthy(er) team.

Week 18 Live Games

Saturday

Sky Sports NFL
Panthers @ Buccs - 9.30 pm
Seahawks @ 49ers - 01.00 Sunday

Sunday

5
Packers @ Vikings - 6 pm

Sky Sports NFL
Titans Jags - 6 pm

Sky Sports +
Colts @ Texans - 6 pm
Dolphins @ Pats - 9.25 pm
Lions @ Bears 9.25 pm

Sky Sports NFL & 5 Action
Chargers @ Broncos - 9.25 pm

Sky Sports NFL
Ravens @ Steelers - 01.20 - Monday

Well it's all eyes on New Orleans vs Atlanta to decide the NFC South for the 2 other teams in the division

What a bizarre scenario this has turned into

Bucs just held on for the win but can't help feel the Panthers blew that game and the refs didn't give them any favours to say the least as well

Young throwing the Interception just before the half giving Tampa the chance to get the FG which as it turned out was the difference

Then trying a flea Flicker when already In FG range and with a slippery wet ball was just bad play calling and cost them at least 3 points most likely.

So if its a New Orleans win then the Bucs win the division, if it's an Atlanta win then the Panthers win the division

Though I really can't see either posing any threat to whichever of the NFC West team they will play even with homefield

Part of me likes that this rivalry is getting a spotlight on it, however ridiculous it might be playing for two 8-9 teams respective playoff hopes
It rarely gets mentioned as one of the better rivalries in NFL, but it's a really fierce one.
Falcons lead the all time series 57–56

Both teams are playing well down the stretch. I like what I've seen from Tyler Shough.
The Falcons have QB questions this off season with Cousins big contract, but they have the best player in the division with Bijan Robinson, as well as some weapons on offense.

I think if the Bucs can get in, they are more capable of beating someone on the playoffs. If their defense can stop the run like it did against the Panthers, they have a shot to win a home game. They did beat the Seahawks and 49ers earlier this season, which feels like a LONG time ago. They have gotten a little healthier of late.

I don't have the same hope in the Panthers
Division winners with a losing record are 2-2 all time in the playoffs
I wouldn't be surprised if they change how seeding works next season. If the loser of the 49ers/Seattle game ends up losing to one of these teams, that's a bad look for the league. Even a blowout win against the NFC South winner would lead to calls to change how seeding works