There’s a lot on the line in Week 18 of the NFL regular season. The final week of action for much of the league could impact playoff seeding, the future of multiple coaches and the NFL Draft order.
Week 18 finishes off in prime time with a battle for the AFC North. It’s down to the 9-7 Pittsburgh Steelers and 8-8 Baltimore Ravens to decide who will take the division crown and a spot in the AFC playoffs.
The Steelers just lost to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. Luckily, they’ll have major reinforcements at home for their finale against Baltimore.
T.J. Watt injury update
Four-time All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt will be back on the field for Pittsburgh in the biggest game of the season.
Watt was out of action for the last two weeks following surgery stemming from a partially collapsed lung on Dec. 10. That lung injury happened during a routine dry needling treatment at a team facility. He was subsequently hospitalized but has made a full recovery.
‘It’ll be great to have him back,’ Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said via the team. ‘What capacity we’ll find out really, not till Sunday. But it’ll great to have him back… I would think that he’ll only strengthen our group and how we play and all those things.’
Watt has just 7.0 sacks this season in 13 games – his fewest since recording 5.5 in 2022 in 10 games. That was the last time the Steelers failed to make the playoffs. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year wasn’t sure if he could play a week ago against Cleveland but told reporters he’s ready for Sunday night.
‘I’m excited to play,’ he said.
AFC North standings
Here’s how things look entering Week 18:
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, 3-2 AFC North)
Baltimore Ravens (8-8, 3-2)
Cincinnati Bengals (6-10, 3-2)
Cleveland Browns (4-12, 1-4)
AFC playoff picture
Asterisk (*) = team has clinched a playoff spot.
Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)