Ravens-Steelers face big questions in Week 18
USAT’s Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaka break down Lamar Jackson’s status and DK Metcalf’s suspension as the Steelers and Ravens battle it out for the AFC North.
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NFL power rankings entering Week 18 of the 2025 season (previous rankings in parentheses):
1. Los Angeles Rams (1): What? they are still Are they still at the top of the rankings despite losing consecutive games and being relegated to wild card status? In short, yes. Matthew Stafford remains the best quarterback this season. Puka Nacua remains the best wideout this season. Defense is one of the best in NFC when fully equipped. LA will return WR Davante Adams, DB Quentin Lake, and several starting offensive linemen for the playoffs. The Rams’ beleaguered special teams made some big plays in Monday night’s loss to Atlanta, but it was a game that suddenly didn’t mean as much after the weekend unfolded. Yes, we continue to run with a talented team that can beat anyone and, more importantly, do it anywhere.
2. Seattle Seahawks (2): Why aren’t they No. 1, even though they could end up there in the overall NFC standings? Their defense is formidable and elite, and their special teams are second to none. But QB Sam Darnold still doesn’t have a playoff win on his resume, and Seattle’s run game will be feast or famine. This team could struggle to climb out of a two-score hole against playoff contenders.
3. New England Patriots (5): Why aren’t they No. 1 in the overall AFC standings when they could end up being No. 1? Drake Maye looks like a future MVP…and maybe even the next MVP if Stafford loses enough momentum. However, this team is an inexperienced team that benefits from a weak schedule, with one of 13 wins against opponents with a current winning record. Is the next generation Pat ready to win big now? TBA.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3): Why aren’t they No. 1 in the AFC overall standings when they could end up being No. 1? Their seven-game winning streak, most of them decisive, currently puts them in second place behind Houston. The Jags can focus on the run, steal the ball, and rush the passer. But QB Trevor Lawrence, who has played since Thanksgiving, is also an unproven player at the pro level anyway when it comes to January football.
5. San Francisco 49ers (4): Why aren’t they No. 1 when they could end up there in the overall NFC standings? Less than two years removed from a Super Bowl near miss, they can shine on the scoreboard with anyone. The main reason for that is that QB Brock Purdy has fiery hot hands and running back Christian McCaffrey is the outrageous rhythm guitar of this offense. But have the Niners lost too many key players, especially on defense, to get through January, even if LB Fred Warner somehow returns at some point in the playoffs? There is no doubt that running enough track meets will leave you dangerously fatigued.
6. Denver Broncos (6): Why aren’t they No. 1 in the AFC overall standings when they could end up being No. 1? The defense is as scary as any team in the league. And while the Broncos have always played at the level of their competitors, that’s not necessarily a bad thing once you get into the postseason. But second-year QB Bo Nix remains something of a wild card, and his pattern of winning in the fourth quarter may be difficult to maintain against top-level competition.
7. Houston Texans (7): Now in the eight-game Heater, their league-best defense (suffocating, opportunistic, and disrespectful to opposing quarterbacks) should be able to play in almost every game. But will they be able to hold out until the end, especially if their offense is often limited in the run game, especially if a franchise that has never reached the AFC title game ends up on the postseason path?
8. Chicago Bears (9): One of the great stories of the 2025 season, the newly crowned NFC North champions appear to be at least a year ahead of schedule, armed with identity and confidence in rookie coach Ben Johnson’s philosophy on and off the field. However, second-year QB Caleb Williams also has no experience in big games. Perhaps more concerning is Chicago’s gambling approach, which has been good at forcing turnovers but has given up at least 27 points in seven of 16 games.
9. Los Angeles Chargers (10): QB Justin Herbert needs a week off considering the abuse he has received this season. Will it be enough for the sixth-year passer to finally get his first playoff win?
10. Philadelphia Eagles (11): Do you think QB Jalen Hurts needs a week off too, considering he hasn’t eclipsed 200 passing yards in the past three games? Well, Philly won all of those games, and we know Hurts will come up big in key moments. However, Week 18 is not that kind of week, so it would be a good opportunity to rest Hurts and other key starters.
11. Buffalo Bills (8): Do you think QB Josh Allen needs a week off given how limited MVP’s butt-legged form has been the past two weeks? Probably. But the man who hasn’t missed a start since his rookie year will likely make at least a cameo appearance Sunday, putting on a red Bills helmet for the first time in a game and playing in what will almost certainly be his last cheer at Highmark Stadium.
12. Green Bay Packers (12): They’re no better than the post-Aaron Rodgers 7th seed. It’s hard to imagine this battered team being anything more than a one-shot in the playoffs.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (13): They are desperate to be the 4th seed. and Aaron Rodgers. It’s hard to imagine this limited team being more than a one-shot in the playoffs…even if they make it that far.
14. Baltimore Ravens (15): Everyone seems to be expecting another big game from running back Derrick Henry on Sunday night. Just a note – he averaged 57.3 rushing yards in three career games with Pittsburgh.
15. Carolina Panthers (16): The band, which has been winning and losing since Week 7, is set to pick up a win and apparently the NFC South trophy this Sunday.
16. Atlanta Falcons (17): They’re 3-0 this season wearing their gorgeous old uniforms and 4-9 otherwise. Shouldn’t you change your wardrobe before you change management?
17. Minnesota Vikings (20): WR Justin Jefferson’s 59.2 receiving yards per game are the fewest of his career, but that’s not his own fault. But if he hits that average in Week 18, he will join Mike Evans and Randy Moss as the only players to top 1,000 in each of their first six seasons.
18. Detroit Lions (14): The team, which hasn’t lost in a row since 2022, could end this season with a four-game slump, resulting in the Lions falling below .500 for the first time since 2021.
19. Dallas Cowboys (21): Finishing at .500 in 2025 would have seemed more laudable considering the past 12 months, especially considering the departures of former coach Mike McCarthy and DE Micah Parsons. Dallas could get there with just one more win.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (22): A year ago, they were a team no one wanted to play against. Right now, they are a team that no one wants to play against. And just like 12 months ago, once the regular season is over, no one will have to.
21. Indianapolis Colts (19): Nunc Kopi, everyone…I don’t know who to start with next.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (18): QB Baker Mayfield has avoided just one interception in his past seven starts, which also happens to be the only game the drowning Bucks have won during that span.
23. New Orleans Saints (23): The last team in the NFC South, on a four-game winning streak, may also be the most dangerous club at the moment.
24. Tennessee Titans (24): Congratulations to Pro Bowl WR Chaimera Dike on a historic rookie season…even if he wasn’t the rookie the Titans were hoping for a historic season.
25. Cleveland Browns (29): The idea of firing two-time Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski seems preposterous given the green roster he’s been working on this year, especially considering the potential to blossom in 2026 if the right QB pulls the trigger.
26. Kansas City Chiefs (26): The last time they lost by double digits, Romeo Crennel was the coach and Matt Cassel was the quarterback.
27. Miami Dolphins (27): If they can get there, this year’s 8-9 record will be much better than the 8-9 record they set in 2024.
28. Commander Washington (28): It’s possible the season could end without anyone getting over 900 yards from scrimmage.
29. New York Giants (30): Who is Richard Johnson? He was the last player to reach 1,000 yards receiving in a season despite being 5-8 or less, prior to Giants WR Wan Dale Robinson. If only the odds were shorter for the Giants to take the No. 1 draft pick after their unhelpful win in Las Vegas.
30. Arizona Cardinals (25): A team that could end the season on a nine-game slide and lag far behind the rest of the NFC West looks to be heading into a very important offseason.
31. Las Vegas Raiders (31): Just win, baby? Commitment to excellence?Hehehe.
32. New York Jets (32): It was the first time in 53 years that a team lost four consecutive games by at least 23 points, and only the second time in the Super Bowl era (since 1966). Trust the process.
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