The final week of the NFL regular season has arrived, and the playoff race has reached a boiling point. Several matchups carry postseason consequences so significant that they feel like an early preview of January football.
The spotlight falls first on Saturday night, when the Seattle Seahawks face the San Francisco 49ers in a high-stakes NFC West showdown. Seattle enters at 13–3, while San Francisco follows closely at 12–4. Both teams ride six-game winning streaks, and the stakes could not be higher. The winner claims the division title and the NFC’s top seed, securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Sunday night shifts the focus to the AFC, where the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens, led by two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. The equation is simple. The winner earns the conference’s fourth seed, while the loser sees its season come to an end.
Stand on bidness 🔒 @JoeyPorterJr pic.twitter.com/0x3jllA29m
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 1, 2026NFC Contenders Showing Cracks Beneath the Surface
Several NFC teams appear dominant on paper, but deeper analysis reveals vulnerabilities that could derail postseason runs. Despite their impressive record, the Seahawks have struggled to protect the football. They rank 31st in the league with 28 giveaways, an issue that can quickly swing playoff games.
The Chicago Bears face problems on the defensive side. They allow 357.3 total yards per game, placing them near the bottom of the league and raising concerns about their ability to contain elite offences.
Efficiency has also been a concern for the Philadelphia Eagles, who rank last in the NFL with a 29.2 per cent three-and-out rate. Sustaining drives remains a challenge, even with their offensive talent.
Regular season finale ft. Kelly Green@AmericanAir | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/MdP2OSrNaT
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 1, 2026Perhaps the most surprising weakness belongs to the 49ers. Their pass rush has failed to generate pressure, producing just 18 sacks, the lowest total in the league. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams have seen their defence decline sharply since Week 13, surrendering 29.4 points per game.
The Green Bay Packers have struggled to convert takeaways into points. They rank 31st in the league with only 23 points scored off turnovers, limiting the impact of their defensive efforts.
There goes that man, 9️⃣. pic.twitter.com/4FoUlJ98LV
— x – Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 1, 2026AFC Red Flags That Could End Title Hopes
The AFC playoff picture brings its own set of warning signs. The Denver Broncos defence has generated only 12 takeaways this season, ranking 28th and falling short of its usual disruptive standard.
In New England, the New England Patriots have struggled in the trenches. A minus-17 sack differential highlights ongoing issues with pass protection and defensive pressure.
Read: Matthew Stafford Not Eyeing Retirement as Rams Plan Beyond 2025
Discipline remains a major concern for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lead the league with 125 penalties. Those mistakes often prove costly in playoff environments. The Houston Texans have found it difficult to finish drives, posting a red-zone touchdown rate of just 45.1 per cent.
Thursday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/eRNt3zoOod
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 1, 2026Protection issues also plague the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed 56 sacks, the third-highest total in the NFL. Finally, the Buffalo Bills face questions about their run defence, which gives up 140.4 rushing yards per game. That weakness could leave them exposed against physical postseason opponents.
As Week 18 unfolds, these flaws may determine which contenders advance and which favourites fall short. With playoff margins razor-thin, even one unresolved weakness could end a Super Bowl dream.
