NFL Week 18 scores, results, highlights including Vikings v Packers, Texans v Colts, Bengals v Browns & Saints v Falcons
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their playoff chances alive with a significant victory against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18 of the NFL, while the Seattle Seahawks also concluded their season on a positive note entering the playoffs.
However, numerous opportunities were still present across the AFC and NFC, with the Atlanta Falcons aiming to dethrone the Bucs for the divisional title, and the Houston Texans seeking to extend their winning streak to nine games as they approached the postseason.
Stay updated with the scores, outcomes, and highlights from Week 18 in the NFL as 101GreatGoals.com reflects on the events.
Houston Texans 38-30 Indianapolis Colts
C.J. Stroud threw for one touchdown and ran for another, and Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 43-yard field goal with just 12 seconds remaining secured the Houston Texans a 38-30 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, extending Houston’s winning streak to nine games and clinching the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Texans secured a third consecutive playoff appearance despite sitting key starters in the second half, including Stroud, Will Anderson Jr., and Derek Stingley. Rookie Riley Leonard accumulated 270 passing yards with two touchdowns and a rushing score for Indianapolis but also threw an interception and coughed up a fumble.
Alec Pierce contributed 132 receiving yards with two touchdowns before being ejected late in the third quarter.
Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai returned Leonard’s fumble for a touchdown from 17 yards out to increase Houston’s advantage. Jonathan Taylor concluded his season with 1,585 rushing yards, the second-highest total in the NFL.
Dallas Cowboys 17-34 New York Giants
The New York Giants ended their season on a high note, defeating the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 to finish with two consecutive victories.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart threw his 14th and 15th touchdown passes, connecting with Daniel Bellinger on a shovel pass-and-run and with Tyrone Tracy, completing 22 of 32 passes for 231 yards.
Despite facing injuries and illnesses, the Giants fielded their starters for the entire game, treating it with seriousness.
In contrast, Dallas viewed it as a less critical outing, with Dak Prescott exiting after halftime. Prescott completed seven of 11 passes for 70 yards and lost a fumble before being substituted by Joe Milton. He wrapped up the season with 4,552 passing yards, just shy of his 2019 total of 4,902.
Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah each recorded their first NFL rushing touchdowns for Dallas, who fell to New York for the first time since 2020, breaking a nine-game winning streak against the Giants.
Cleveland Browns 20-18 Cincinnati Bengals
Myles Garrett established the NFL single-season sack record with his 23rd sack, and Shedeur Sanders orchestrated a last-minute drive capped by Andre Szmyt’s 49-yard field goal at the horn, granting the Cleveland Browns a 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Cleveland (5-12) scored both earlier touchdowns on defense, featuring Devin Bush’s 97-yard interception return and Sam Webb’s fumble recovery for 47 yards. Sanders completed 11 of 22 for 111 yards, managing the final 40-yard, 10-play drive following Ja’Marr Chase’s 4-yard touchdown that had given Cincinnati an 18-17 lead with 1:29 remaining.
Joe Burrow went 29 of 39 for 236 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while Chase recorded eight receptions for 96 yards. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski’s future remains uncertain, with a decision anticipated on Monday.
This victory marked Cleveland’s first back-to-back wins in two years.
New Orleans Saints 17-19 Atlanta Falcons
The Carolina Panthers concluded a seven-year playoff drought Sunday by winning the NFC South, despite falling 16-14 to the Buccaneers.
Carolina benefited from the Falcons’ 19-17 victory over New Orleans, clinching the division title with an 8-9 record and a 3-1 advantage against both the Saints and Falcons, including a 2-0 record over Atlanta.
Carolina has become the first team since at least 1990 to qualify for the playoffs in the final week with a losing record and a defeat in their season finale.
The Falcons secured their win when Dee Alford returned an interception for 59 yards, setting up Zane Gonzalez’s field goal, and Atlanta recovered an onside kick after a late touchdown from the Saints.
The Panthers now await their NFC wild-card opponent. If the Los Angeles Rams triumph over Arizona, they will visit Charlotte; otherwise, San Francisco will head to Bank of America Stadium.
Green Bay Packers 3-16 Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings capped a disappointing season with a 16-3 victory over a resting Green Bay Packers squad on Sunday.
J.J. McCarthy had a solid first half, completing 14 of 23 passes for 182 yards before exiting in the third quarter due to a right-hand injury.
Backup Max Brosmer took over at quarterback, ensuring Justin Jefferson achieved over 100 yards for the first time in 12 games.
Jefferson also secured his sixth successive 1,000-yard season, becoming just the third receiver in NFL history to accomplish this. C.J. Ham added a short rushing touchdown, and Dallas Turner recorded two of Minnesota’s four sacks, collectively pushing Green Bay back 41 yards.
With many starters resting and Clayton Tune making his second career start, the Packers mustered only minus-7 passing yards. A late field goal from Brandon McManus ensured they avoided a shutout. Minnesota concluded the year at 9-8, securing their fifth consecutive victory.
Tennessee Titans 7-41 Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, setting a new single-season record for total scores in Jacksonville Jaguars’ history, as the team dominated Tennessee 41-7 to win the AFC South and earn a home playoff game.
The Jaguars (13-4) completed a sweep of the Titans for the third time in four years, achieving their third division title in nine years and securing more than 12 wins for only the second time in the franchise’s history.
Lawrence completed 22 of 30 passes for 255 yards, connecting with Brenton Strange, Parker Washington, and Quintin Morris for touchdowns, and played into the fourth quarter to reach 4,000 passing yards for the third time in his career.
Tennessee’s rookie Cam Ward left the game early with a shoulder injury, and backup Brandon Allen struggled, throwing an interception that was returned 58 yards by Antonio Johnson.
Jacksonville, victorious in eight straight games, will await to determine their playoff seeding and opponent, likely hosting Buffalo, Houston, or the Chargers.
Published: 2026-01-04 22:08:00
source: www.101greatgoals.com
