Playoff Picture
The Pittsburgh Steelers secured the AFC North title with a dramatic Week 18 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, punching their ticket to the playoffs. According to multiple sources, Aaron Rodgers played a pivotal role in the win, fully grasping the stakes as Pittsburgh sealed the division in the final game of the regular season.
The loss eliminates the Baltimore Ravens from postseason contention. After entering the week on the bubble, Baltimore’s defeat confirms their absence from the playoff bracket, capping a disappointing finish to their season.
In the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers have won the division following the Atlanta Falcons’ win in Week 18. That result also officially eliminates the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from playoff contention, closing the door on their postseason hopes.
Coaching and Front Office News
The Atlanta Falcons have begun a major organizational overhaul, firing both head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. Morris exits after two seasons, including a strong finish that wasn’t enough to offset a frustrating overall performance. Fontenot departs with a 36–48 record over five seasons and no playoff appearances. The moves signal a full restart in Atlanta as they look to reset their football leadership structure.
Milestones
Bobby Wagner has joined elite company, reaching 2,000 career tackles in Week 18. With his performance, Wagner becomes just the third player in NFL history to hit that milestone, alongside Hall of Famer Ray Lewis and London Fletcher. Wagner’s durability and consistency have been hallmarks of an exceptional career that continues to make its mark on league history.
Division History
The NFC North became just the second division in NFL history since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to finish a season with all four teams above .500. They join the 2023 AFC North in accomplishing the rare feat, highlighting the competitive balance and strength across the NFC North this season.
Team and Player Notes
The New York Jets wrapped up a historically unproductive season offensively. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson finishes as the team’s leading receiver with just 395 yards, despite not catching a pass since Week 6. On the defensive side, the Jets’ 2025 campaign also fell short of setting the record for fewest interception return yards, a dubious mark held by the 2024 Browns at -2 yards. The Jets failed to intercept a single pass this season.
Off-Field Commentary
Myles Garrett faced criticism from media personality Bill Simmons following public comments the star defender made about the direction of the Cleveland Browns. Simmons questioned Garrett’s right to call out the franchise after re-signing with the team, suggesting a player should accept organizational challenges if they commit financially. The exchange underscores the tension between player expectations and long-term franchise performance in Cleveland.