The NFL regular season is days away from ending, but there is still much to be determined as the race to the playoffs continues.
Five playoff spots are up for grabs heading into Week 18, including four division titles. Nine teams have already clinched a playoff spot, while 13 have been eliminated. That leaves 10 teams still unsure if they'll play beyond the weekend, and every snap will be critical for each of them in Week 18.
Between the fight for playoff position, teams resting starters and coaches fighting to save their jobs, it promises to be a wild weekend around the NFL.
MORE: NFL Week 18 Picks, Predictions Against the Spread
Here's what you need to know about the NFL's Week 18 schedule, including what's scheduled for Thursday night.
Is there a Thursday Night Football game tonight?
There is no “Thursday Night Football” game this week. The Week 17 game between the Browns and Jets was Amazon Prime's final Thursday night broadcast of the season, as all 16 of this week's NFL games will be played over the weekend.
Why such a change ? The NFL traditionally does not play a game on Thursday nights during the final week of the season, so all teams have almost the entire week to prepare for what is in some cases the most important game of the season. Knowing that teams will be playing for playoff positioning in Week 18, the league is opting not to exclude players from just a few days of rest.
It would also be difficult for the league to pre-schedule a Week 18 game on Thursday night without risking a non-competitive game. Because some teams rest their starters in the final week of the season and many others are already eliminated, the league wouldn't know what it would get even if the game was scheduled a few weeks in advance .
The NFL makes up for the lack of a Thursday night game by hosting two Saturday games in Week 18. This was a new addition to the schedule last season, and the league again hosted two games with implications in the playoffs on Saturday as the Ravens host the game. The Steelers and Colts host the Texans.
At least one other playoff team will be determined on Saturday, and the rest of the bracket will be settled on Sunday.
MORE: Updated NFL Power Rankings for Week 18
NFL Schedule Week 18
Below is a look at the Week 18 NFL schedule, which includes two games on Saturday and 14 on Sunday.
Saturday January 6
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Steelers vs. Ravens | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
| Texans at the Colts | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN/ABC |
Sunday January 7
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| Browns vs. Bengals | 13 hours | CBS |
| Vikings vs. Lions | 13 hours | Fox |
| Jaguars vs. Titans | 13 hours | CBS |
| Jets vs. Patriots | 13 hours | Fox |
| Falcons vs. Saints | 13 hours | CBS |
| Buccaneers vs. Panthers | 13 hours | Fox |
| Bears vs. Packers | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Broncos vs. Raiders | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| Eagles versus giants | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Seahawks vs. Cardinals | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| Chiefs at Chargers | 4:25 p.m. | CBS |
| Rams vs. 49ers | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| Cowboys versus commanders | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| Bills vs. Dolphins | 8:20 p.m. | BNC |
Sport on TV today
Fans will have to look forward to basketball and hockey action on Thursday night, which will be the first Thursday without NFL or college football since August 24.
NBA on TNT will assume its traditional Thursday slot with two compelling matchups as Giannis Antetokounmpo takes on Victor Wembanyama before the defending champion Nuggets travel to take on the struggling Warriors.
ESPN has a premier NHL Eastern Conference game, while two projected NCAA Tournament men's teams face off on the network later in the night.
Here's a look at where to watch some of Thursday night's biggest events without the NFL.
- NBA: Bucks vs. Spurs (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT) and Nuggets vs. Warriors (10 p.m. ET, TNT)
- NHL: Penguins vs. Bruins (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- NCAAM: Colorado vs. No. 10 Arizona (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN)
- NCAAW: No. 1 South Carolina at Florida (7 p.m. ET, SECN) and Missouri at No. 7 LSU (9 p.m. ET, SECN)