The regular season is over. Honestly, if you blinked during the late window, you probably missed three different playoff seedings change hands. NFL games Sunday Jan 5 were the definition of "Week 18 chaos," a day where logic goes to die and backup quarterbacks suddenly look like Hall of Famers for exactly sixty minutes.
It was Jan 5, 2026. The air was cold, the stakes were sky-high for some, and for others, it was basically just a cardio session before the offseason began.
The Night the North Was Settled
Let’s talk about the game everyone was actually watching. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. 8:20 PM. Acrisure Stadium was loud—like, "can’t hear your own thoughts" loud.
Pittsburgh needed a win to punch their ticket. They didn't just get a win; they got a 26-24 heart-stopper that came down to a missed field goal by Baltimore’s Tyler Loop. It was ugly. It was gritty. It was exactly what you expect when these two teams meet. Mike Tomlin somehow, some way, dragged this team into the postseason again.
Why the Steelers Sneaked In
The Steelers finishing at 10-7 feels like a miracle if you watched them in October. But on Sunday night, their defense was a different beast. They pressured the Ravens all night, forcing Lamar Jackson into uncomfortable throws. That missed kick at the end? That’s the kind of luck you need in January.
The Afternoon Slate: Seeds Shifting Like Sand
While the world waited for the nightcap, the 4:25 PM window was busy wrecking everyone’s brackets.
Denver took care of business. They dismantled the Los Angeles Chargers 19-3. Boring? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. Bo Nix didn't have to do much because the Broncos' defense decided the Chargers weren't allowed to cross the fifty-yard line for most of the second half. This win locked up the No. 1 seed for Denver. The AFC playoffs now officially go through the thin air of Mile High.
The New England Resurrection
The Patriots are back. Well, sort of.
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They absolutely crushed the Miami Dolphins 38-10. It wasn't even as close as the score looks. By the third quarter, Dolphins fans were already looking at mock drafts. New England secured the No. 2 seed with a 14-3 record. Think about that for a second. In one season, they went from the basement to a first-round home game against the Chargers.
- Final Score: Patriots 38, Dolphins 10
- Key Stat: New England's defense forced three turnovers in the first half alone.
- The Result: A rematch with the Chargers is set for the Wild Card round.
The Eagles' Backup Blunder
Philadelphia had a chance. If they beat the Washington Commanders, they had a shot at the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Instead, they rested starters. They played Tanner McKee. And they lost.
The Commanders, led by 39-year-old Josh Johnson (who is seemingly immortal), won 24-17. It was a weird game. Philadelphia looked like they were trying to win but also trying not to get anyone hurt, which is a dangerous way to play football. Now, the defending Super Bowl champs have to face the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round. That is a brutal draw for a three-seed.
Chaos in the NFC South
You have to feel for the New Orleans Saints. Or maybe you don't.
The Carolina Panthers backed into a division title. They actually lost their game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but because the Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints 19-17, Carolina takes the NFC South at 8-9. Yes, an 8-9 team is hosting a playoff game. That’s the NFL for you. They’ll welcome the Los Angeles Rams to Charlotte next week.
The Rams, by the way, are terrifying right now. Matthew Stafford threw four touchdowns against the Cardinals on Sunday. They’re the five-seed nobody wants to play.
What Most People Get Wrong About Week 18
People think these games don't matter if a team has already clinched. Tell that to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Vegas was 3-13 entering Sunday. They had a 10-game losing streak. They were playing the Kansas City Chiefs, who were also struggling but still the Chiefs. The Raiders won 14-12 on a 60-yard bomb of a field goal from Daniel Carlson with eight seconds left.
It didn't change their playoff status. They're still going home. But it gave them the No. 1 overall pick for 2026 and a win over a rival. In the locker room, that matters more than "draft positioning" ever will to the guys on the field.
The AFC Playoff Picture
- Denver Broncos (14-3): First-round bye and home-field advantage.
- New England Patriots (14-3): Host the Chargers.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4): Host the Bills.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): Host the Texans.
The Jaguars actually looked dominant on Sunday, blowing out the Titans 41-7. Trevor Lawrence looks healthy, and that defense is finally playing with the nastiness they showed early in the year.
The NFC Playoff Picture
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3): First-round bye. Sam Darnold has been the story of the year here.
- Chicago Bears (11-6): Host the Packers.
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): Host the 49ers.
- Carolina Panthers (8-9): Host the Rams.
Takeaways You Can Actually Use
If you're looking at the NFL games Sunday Jan 5 results to figure out who to bet on in the Wild Card round, keep these three things in mind:
First, rest matters, but so does rhythm. The Eagles looked rusty with their backups. The 49ers, who lost a close one to the Seahawks on Saturday, looked sharp despite the L. Don't be surprised if the "lower" seeds pull off multiple upsets next weekend.
Second, check the injuries. The Bills rested a few key guys in their 35-8 win over the Jets, but Mitch Trubisky actually played well. If Josh Allen has any lingering issues, Buffalo's depth is better than people realize.
Lastly, don't sleep on the Rams. They are the hottest team in the NFC. Taking them against an 8-9 Panthers team feels like the easiest pick of the year, which usually means it's a trap, but the talent gap there is massive.
The road to the Super Bowl in Santa Clara is set. Denver and Seattle have the week off, but for the other twelve teams, the real season starts right now. Set your calendars for Saturday—Wild Card weekend kicks off with Rams at Panthers, and it’s only going to get crazier from there.