NFL Game Recaps: Week 18, 2025

NFL Game Recaps of previous weeks and seasons can be found via links at the bottom of the page.

Buccaneers 16, Panthers 14

The Buccaneers snapped their streak of futility, but it came down to the wire. It didn’t look like this game would be very competitive when the Buccaneers got out to a 10-0 lead, but Baker Mayfield gave the Panthers a chance when he threw an interception as a result of not seeing Christian Rozeboom in coverage. This set up a Bryce Young touchdown to Tommy Tremble to trim the margin to three.

There was a severe downpour in the opening half, but the rain vanished following intermission. The Panthers had more success moving the ball, but constant terrible calls ruined some drives. A ticky-tack offensive pass interference and a blown whistle forced punts on two possessions. Carolina also made a mistake when attempting to run a flea-flicker from the Tampa Bay 20-yard line. Rico Dowdle lost a fumble and Young refused to dive on the ball, allowing the Buccaneers to recover and negate a potential three-point chance.

Those three points ended up being the difference, as Young finally completed a lengthy touchdown drive as a result of connecting with Tetairoa McMillan for a 40-yard gain, setting up a touchdown pass to Jalen Coker. Carolina’s defense, however, couldn’t get off the field after that, allowing the Buccaneers to win the game and potentially claim the division with an Atlanta loss.

Seahawks 13, 49ers 3

The 49ers entered this battle for the No. 1 seed winning six consecutive games, but their opponents have been rather lackluster. Beating the likes of the Browns, Titans, Colts, and defensively challenged Bears was nothing compared to the challenge of defeating the Seahawks.

San Francisco had major problems moving the chains in this contest, and it didn’t help that Kyle Shanahan opted to punt the ball near midfield again. The biggest problem was defending Seattle’s No. 2-ranked pass rush with Trent Williams sidelined. Brock Purdy was pressured on nearly every play, and all he could muster was a mere field goal.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, picked up some big gains with both of their running backs. Sam Darnold had all the time in the world to throw, and he completed nearly pass as a result. One of the big plays in this game occurred late in the third quarter when San Francisco finally forced Seattle into a third-and-17. The Seahawks ran the ball with Kenneth Walker on a give-up play, but Walker sprinted for 19 yards to move the chains. This led to a field goal to extend Seattle’s lead to 13-3 at the beginning of the final frame. At that stage of the contest, the 49ers achieved only five first downs. They were able to move down the field on the ensuing possession, but a red zone interception was bobbled out of the hands of Christian McCaffrey to end the scoring chance.

Packers XX, Vikings XX

Colts XX, Texans XX

Browns XX, Bengals XX

Cowboys XX, Giants XX

Saints XX, Falcons XX

Titans XX, Jaguars XX

Dolphins XX, Patriots XX

Chiefs XX, Raiders XX

Lions XX, Bears XX

Jets XX, Bills XX

Redskins XX, Eagles XX

Cardinals XX, Rams XX

Chargers XX, Broncos XX

Ravens XX, Steelers XX

For more thoughts, check out my updated NFL Power Rankings, which will be posted Tuesday morning.

NFL Picks - Jan. 4


2026 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 31


NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 29


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 1








2025: 2025 NFL Week 1 Recap
2025 NFL Week 2 Recap
2025 NFL Week 3 Recap
2025 NFL Week 4 Recap
2025 NFL Week 5 Recap
2025 NFL Week 6 Recap
2025 NFL Week 7 Recap
2025 NFL Week 8 Recap
2025 NFL Week 9 Recap
2025 NFL Week 10 Recap
2025 NFL Week 11 Recap
2025 NFL Week 12 Recap
2025 NFL Week 13 Recap
2025 NFL Week 14 Recap
2025 NFL Week 15 Recap
2025 NFL Week 16 Recap

2025 NFL Week 17 Recap

2024: 2024 NFL Week 1 Recap

2024 NFL Week 2 Recap

2024 NFL Week 3 Recap

2024 NFL Week 4 Recap

2024 NFL Week 5 Recap

2024 NFL Week 6 Recap

2024 NFL Week 7 Recap

2024 NFL Week 8 Recap

2024 NFL Week 9 Recap

2024 NFL Week 10 Recap

2024 NFL Week 11 Recap

2024 NFL Week 12 Recap

2024 NFL Week 13 Recap

2024 NFL Week 14 Recap

2024 NFL Week 15 Recap

2024 NFL Week 16 Recap

2024 NFL Week 17 Recap

2024 NFL Week 18 Recap

2024 NFL Playoff Games Recap

2023: 2023 NFL Week 1 Recap

2023 NFL Week 2 Recap
2023 NFL Week 3 Recap
2023 NFL Week 4 Recap
2023 NFL Week 5 Recap
2023 NFL Week 6 Recap
2023 NFL Week 7 Recap
2023 NFL Week 8 Recap
2023 NFL Week 9 Recap
2023 NFL Week 10 Recap
2023 NFL Week 11 Recap
2023 NFL Week 12 Recap
2023 NFL Week 13 Recap
2023 NFL Week 14 Recap
2023 NFL Week 15 Recap
2023 NFL Week 16 Recap
2023 NFL Week 17 Recap
2023 NFL Week 18 Recap
2023 NFL Playoffs Recap

2022: Live 2022 NFL Draft Blog - April 28
2022 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 9
2022 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 16
2022 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 23
2022 NFL Week 4 Recap - Sept. 30
2022 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 7
2022 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 14
2022 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 21
2022 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 28
2022 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 4
2022 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 11
2022 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 18
2022 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 25
2022 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 2
2022 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 9
2022 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 16
2022 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 23
2022 NFL Week 17 Recap - Dec. 30
2022 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 7
2022 NFL Playoffs Recap - Feb. 13

2021: Live 2021 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
2021 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 13
2021 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 20
2021 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 27
2021 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 4
2021 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 11
2021 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 18
2021 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 25
2021 NFL Week 8 Recap - Nov. 1
2021 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 8
2021 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 15
2021 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 22
2021 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 29
2021 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 6
2021 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 13
2021 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 20
2021 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 27
2021 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 3
2021 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 10
2021 NFL Playoff Recap - Jan. 17

2020: Live 2020 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
2020 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 11
2020 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 18
2020 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 25
2020 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 2
2020 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 9
2020 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 16
2020 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 23
2020 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 30
2020 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 6
2020 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 13
2020 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 20
2020 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 27
2020 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 4
2020 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 11
2020 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 18
2020 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 25
2020 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 3
2020 NFL Playoffs Recap - Feb. 3

2019: Live 2019 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
2019 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 9
2019 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 16
2019 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 23
2019 NFL Week 4 Recap - Sept. 30
2019 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 7
2019 NFL Week 6 Recap
2019 NFL Week 7 Recap
2019 NFL Week 8 Recap
2019 NFL Week 9 Recap
2019 NFL Week 10 Recap
2019 NFL Week 11 Recap
2019 NFL Week 12 Recap
2019 NFL Week 14 Recap
2019 NFL Week 15 Recap
2019 NFL Week 16 Recap
2019 NFL Week 17 Recap


2018: Live 2018 NFL Draft Blog - April 30
2018 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 7
2018 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 14
2018 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 21
2018 NFL Week 4 Recap - Sept. 28
2018 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 5
2018 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 12
2018 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 19
2018 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 26
2018 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 2
2018 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 9
2018 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 16
2018 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 23
2018 NFL Week 13 Recap - Nov. 30
2018 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 7
2018 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 14
2018 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 21
2018 NFL Week 17 Recap - Dec. 31
2018 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 6


2017: Live 2017 NFL Draft Blog - April 30
2017 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
2017 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 19
2017 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 26
2017 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 2
2017 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 9
2017 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 16
2017 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 23
2017 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 30
2017 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 6
2017 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 13
2017 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 20
2017 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 27
2017 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 4
2017 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 11
2017 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 18
2017 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 25
2017 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 1
2017 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 8
2017 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 15
2017 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 22
Super Bowl LII Recap - Feb. 5


2017: Live 2017 NFL Draft Blog - April 30
2017 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
2017 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 19
2017 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 26
2017 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 2
2017 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 9
2017 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 16
2017 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 23
2017 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 30
2017 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 6
2017 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 13
2017 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 20
2017 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 27
2017 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 4
2017 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 11
2017 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 18
2017 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 25
2017 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 1
2017 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 8
2017 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 15
2017 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 22
Super Bowl LII Recap - Feb. 5


2016: Live 2016 NFL Draft Blog - April 30
2016 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
2016 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 19
2016 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 26
2016 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 3
2016 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 10
2016 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 17
2016 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 24
2016 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 31
2016 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 7
2016 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 14
2016 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 21
2016 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 28
2016 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 5
2016 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 12
2016 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 19
2016 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 26
2016 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 2
2016 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 9
2016 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 16
2016 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 23
2016 NFL Week 21 Recap - Feb. 6


2015: Live 2015 NFL Draft Blog - April 30
2015 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
2015 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 17
2015 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 24
2015 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 1
2015 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 8
2015 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 15
2015 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 22
2015 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 29
2015 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 5
2015 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 12
2015 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 19
2015 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 26
2015 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 4
2015 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 11
2015 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 18
2015 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 25
2015 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 4
2015 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 11
2015 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 18
2015 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 25
Super Bowl 50 Recap - Feb. 8


2014: Live 2014 NFL Draft Blog - May 8
2014 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 5
2014 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 12
2014 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 19
2014 NFL Week 4 Recap - Sept. 26
2014 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 3
2014 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 10
2014 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 17
2014 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 24
2014 NFL Week 9 Recap - Oct. 31
2014 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 6
2014 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 13
2014 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 20
2014 NFL Week 13 Recap - Nov. 27
2014 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 5
2014 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 12
2014 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 19
2014 NFL Week 17 Recap - Dec. 29
2014 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 4
2014 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 11
2014 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 18
Super Bowl XLIX Live Blog - Feb. 1
Super Bowl XLIX Recap - Feb. 2


2013: Live 2013 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
2013 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 10
2013 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 17
2013 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 24
2013 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 1
2013 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 8
2013 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 15
2013 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 22
2013 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 29
2013 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 4
2013 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 11
2013 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 18
2013 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 25
2013 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 2
2013 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 9
2013 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 16
2013 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 23
2013 NFL Week 17 Recap - Dec. 30
2013 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 6
2013 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 13
2013 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 20
Super Bowl XLVIII Recap - Feb. 3
Super Bowl XLVIII Live Blog - Feb. 2


2012: Live 2012 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
2012 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 10
2012 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 17
2012 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 24
2012 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 1
2012 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 8
2012 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 15
2012 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 22
2012 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 29
2012 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 5
2012 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 12
2012 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 19
2012 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 26
2012 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 3
2012 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 10
2012 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 17
2012 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 24
2012 NFL Week 17 Recap - Dec. 31
2012 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 7
2012 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 14
2012 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 21
Super Bowl XLVII Recap - Feb. 4
Super Bowl XLVII Live Blog - Feb. 4


2011: Live 2011 NFL Draft Blog - April 28
2011 NFL Week 1 Recap - Sept. 12
2011 NFL Week 2 Recap - Sept. 19
2011 NFL Week 3 Recap - Sept. 26
2011 NFL Week 4 Recap - Oct. 3
2011 NFL Week 5 Recap - Oct. 10
2011 NFL Week 6 Recap - Oct. 17
2011 NFL Week 7 Recap - Oct. 24
2011 NFL Week 8 Recap - Oct. 31
2011 NFL Week 9 Recap - Nov. 7
2011 NFL Week 10 Recap - Nov. 14
2011 NFL Week 11 Recap - Nov. 21
2011 NFL Week 12 Recap - Nov. 28
2011 NFL Week 13 Recap - Dec. 5
2011 NFL Week 14 Recap - Dec. 12
2011 NFL Week 15 Recap - Dec. 19
2011 NFL Week 16 Recap - Dec. 26
2011 NFL Week 17 Recap - Jan. 2
2011 NFL Week 18 Recap - Jan. 9
2011 NFL Week 19 Recap - Jan. 16
2011 NFL Week 20 Recap - Jan. 23
Super Bowl XLVI Live Blog - Feb. 6


2010: Live 2010 NFL Draft Blog - April 22
2010 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 8
2010 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 9
2010 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 13
2010 NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 20
2010 NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 27
2010 NFL Week 4 Review - Oct. 4
2010 NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 11
2010 NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 18
2010 NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 25
2010 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 1
2010 NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 8
2010 NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 15
2010 NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 22
2010 NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 29
2010 NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 6
2010 NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 13
2010 NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 20
2010 NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 27
2010 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 3
2010 NFL Week 18 Review - Jan. 10
2010 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 17
2010 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 24
Super Bowl XLV Live Blog - Feb. 6


2009: Live 2009 NFL Draft Blog - April 25
2009 Hall of Fame Game Live Blog - Aug. 10
2009 NFL Kickoff Live Blog - Sept. 10
2009 NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 14
2009 NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 21
2009 NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 28
2009 NFL Week 4 Review - Oct. 5
2009 NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 12
2009 NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 19
2009 NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 26
2009 NFL Week 8 Review - Nov. 2
2009 NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 9
2009 NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 16
2009 NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 23
2009 NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 30
2009 NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 6
2009 NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 13
2009 NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 20
2009 NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 27
2009 NFL Week 17 Review - Jan. 4
2009 NFL Week 18 Review - Jan. 11
2009 NFL Week 19 Review - Jan. 18
2009 NFL Week 20 Review - Jan. 25
Super Bowl XLIV Live Blog - Feb. 7


2008: Live 2008 NFL Draft Blog - April 26
2008 NFL Kickoff Blog - Sept. 4
NFL Week 1 Review - Sept. 8
NFL Week 2 Review - Sept. 15
NFL Week 3 Review - Sept. 22
NFL Week 4 Review - Sept. 29
NFL Week 5 Review - Oct. 6
NFL Week 6 Review - Oct. 13
NFL Week 7 Review - Oct. 20
NFL Week 8 Review - Oct. 27
NFL Week 9 Review - Nov. 3
NFL Week 10 Review - Nov. 10
NFL Week 11 Review - Nov. 17
NFL Week 12 Review - Nov. 24
NFL Week 13 Review - Dec. 1
NFL Week 14 Review - Dec. 8
NFL Week 15 Review - Dec. 15
NFL Week 16 Review - Dec. 22
NFL Week 17 Review - Dec. 29
NFL Wild Card Playoffs Review - Jan. 4
NFL Divisional Playoffs Review - Jan. 11
NFL Championship Sunday Review - Jan. 19
Super Bowl XLIII Live Blog