Steelers-Ravens to decide playoff berth on Sunday night stage

The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens in a battle for the AFC North title and a playoff berth next Sunday night, the NFL announced after the finish of play on Dec. 28.

The loser of the clash between the Ravens (8-8) and Steelers (9-7) will miss the playoffs. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET.

A Pittsburgh loss could mean the end of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers' career. It isn't yet known if two-time MVP Lamar Jackson (back) will be available after sitting out Saturday's 41-24 road victory over the Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers knew what was at stake after stunningly losing 13-6 to the host Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

"The competitor in me is saying, 'We lost this game. We lost a chance to clinch today,' " Steelers star defensive tackle Cam Heyward told reporters. "But it's also like, 'Bring it on. Baltimore is coming in.'

"Winner takes all. Let's win it at home."

Pittsburgh registered a 27-22 win over the host Ravens on Dec. 7.

The Carolina Panthers (8-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) are battling for the NFC South title and they square off Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. ET in a pivotal nationally televised clash.

Host Tampa Bay has dropped four straight games and is hoping to become the rare team to land a playoff spot despite a losing record.

Carolina could win the division crown even if loses to the Buccaneers if the Atlanta Falcons win their final two games. The Falcons host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.

"Whatever Carolina does, they do," Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles told reporters. "We got to work on the Bucs and stay working on the Bucs, and we got to figure that part out."

The Panthers notched a 23-20 home win over the Buccaneers on Dec. 21.

Also on the nationally televised stage Saturday is a battle for the No. 1 seed in the NFC between the Seattle Seahawks and host San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. ET.

The 49ers (12-4) set up that showdown with a 42-38 home victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Seattle (13-3) leads the NFC West but San Francisco won the first meeting, 17-13 in Week 1.

Both teams have won six consecutive games. The seed is extra important for the 49ers as this season's Super Bowl will be played in their home stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

There will be six games in the Sunday 1 p.m. ET window and seven contests in the 4:25 p.m. ET window.

The final Week 18 schedule (all times ET):

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:30 p.m.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m.

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants, 1 p.m.

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.

Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 p.m.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, 4:25 p.m.

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m.

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m.

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m.

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:20 p.m.