NFL Week 18 scores, highlights, updates, schedule: Titans wrap up No. 1 seed in AFC by holding off Texans

It’s the 18th Sunday of the 2021 NFL season — the first regular-season Week 18 in league history — and we’re keeping you updated on all the action and biggest storylines throughout the day. The Week 18 slate has some weighty matchups that will decide who makes the playoffs and we’re here to help you watch it unfold. Check back often to find out everything you need to know.

Schedule

Saturday 

Chiefs 28, Broncos 24 (Recap)
Cowboys 51, Eagles 26 (Recap)

Sunday

Vikings 31, Bears 17 (Box score)
Browns 21, Bengals 16 (Box score)
Lions 37, Packers 30 (Box score)
Jaguars 26, Colts 11 (Box score)
Steelers at Ravens (GameTracker)
Titans 28, Texans 25 (Box score)
Washington 22, Giants 7 (Box score)
Panthers at Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Patriots at Dolphins, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Saints at Falcons, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Jets at Bills, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Seahawks at Cardinals, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
49ers at Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET (Preview)
Chargers at Raiders, 8:20 p.m. ET (Preview)

Ravens force OT

The most accurate kicker in NFL history delivered for the Ravens again in a massive spot, as Justin Tucker’s 46-yard field goal tied the game at 13 with 76 seconds to play.

Lions lose No. 1 pick

The Lions beating the Packers is never a negative — UNLESS the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is on the line. With the Jaguars’ shocking upset over the Colts, all Detroit had to do was lose to the backups of the 13-3 Packers. Instead, D’Andre Swift ran for the go-ahead 14-yard touchdown, the Lions secured an interception and then they added another field goal to go ahead 37-30. And with the Packers making one final effort to tie the game, the Lions grabbed yet another interception to secure their third win of the season — and the second overall selection in April.

Steelers up!

Despite how poorly the Steelers have played at times this season, they’re in position to make the playoffs with the Jags blowing out the Colts and with Ben Roethlisberger finding Chase Claypool for a 6-yard touchdown with just under three minutes to play. 

Patrick Peterson house call

The Bears-Vikings game does not have any playoff implications, but veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson made an dynamic individual effort for Minnesota. The eight-time Pro Bowler corralled the interception, then sliced through the Bears offense on his way to a 66-yard score to put the Vikings up two scores.

Jags blowing out Colts!

The Jaguars are now up three possessions after scoring a touchdown after another Carson Wentz turnover. This time it was Trevor Lawrence making a pristine throw on the run and Marvin Jones making an incredible catch in the back of the end zone. The Colts have not won in Jacksonville since 2014, and it’s looking more and more likely that that drought will continue at least another year.

Flea flicker TD!

The Texans aren’t done yet. In a 21-0 hole, Houston ran a flea flicker to perfection, with Rex Burkhead taking the hand-off and pitching it back to Davis Mills before Mills lofted a pass down the right sideline. Chris Moore was waiting all alone to make the catch and then reached the ball across the goal line to get the Texans on the board.

Pick six! 

In what may be the only highlight from Giants-Washington today, safety Bobby McCain read Jake Fromm’s eyes, jumped the route and was off to the races for a 30-yard interception return touchdown to put the Giants in a 12-0 hole.

Murray breaks tie

Latavius Murray looked like he was shot out of a cannon when he exploded up the middle and bolted straightaway to the end zone from 46 yards out.

Jags force fumble!

It’s officially danger time for the Colts. A 10-point halftime deficit has already increased to 13 after Carson Wentz fumbled to open the third quarter and the Jaguars added a third field goal. Indianapolis’ playoff chances decrease significantly if it can’t come back.

HISTORY

After what looked like a historic sack for T.J. Watt early in the game resulted in a tackle for loss (scroll to the bottom for more), the Steelers’ All-Pro pass-rusher officially matched Michael Strahan for the single-season sack record of 22.5 sacks by taking down Tyler Huntley on a first-and-goal in the final minute of the first half. That should wrap up Defensive Player of the Year honors for the 27-year-old phenom.

Titans in control

The Titans are on their way to locking up the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a crucial first-round bye in the playoffs. A.J. Brown put Tennessee one step closer to that achievement with his 14-yard catch and run for the score.

Fumble TD!

Case Keenum had gotten the better of Brandon Allen for most of the first half in a battle of backups quarterbacks, but the Bengals defense came up huge in the final minutes of the second quarter. Mike Daniels and Wyatt Ray combined to force the fumble, while Trayvon Henderson scooped up the ball and ran untouched 29 yards for the touchdown.

40 fourth downs!

The Lions made NFL history Sunday with their 40th fourth-down attempt of the season, breaking a mark the Patriots set in 1995. They were rewarded with the best possible outcome, too, as Jared Goff connected with red-hot sixth-round rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown for a two-yard score.

Adams makes history

Have to congratulate Davante Adams for setting the Packers’ single-season receiving yards record (1,535 yards) with a 13-yard catch in the first quarter against the Lions. He passed Jordy Nelson’s 1,519 yards set in 2014. 

Trick play TD!

Beautiful — that’s my preferred word for the Lions’ 75-yard trick play touchdown to tie the game against the Packers. It had everything: the fake pitch, the inside hand-off, the pitch back the other way, the perfect throw on the run from wide receiver Tom Kennedy, and finally the WIDE OPEN Kalif Raymond streaking down the right sideline. Detroit hasn’t provided NFL fans much this season, but it has executed its share of trick plays. Dan Campbell dialed up another successful one in the season finale.

Back-to-back INTs

The Steelers and Ravens both have a slim chance to make the playoffs, but neither team is playing like a postseason squad. There’s already been three turnovers in the opening quarter, which includes interceptions from Ben Roethlisberger and Tyler Huntley on back-to-back drives.

Terry McLaurin hit stick!

With an opening-possession catch, Terry McLaurin became the first Washington receiver in 25 years with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. But if Washington is ever in a pinch and needs an emergency defensive back, McLaurin can do that, too. Just check out this hit McLaurin put on Xavier McKinney to prevent an interception.

8-for-8

That was Trevor Lawrence’s stat line on the Jaguars’ opening drive, which resulted in 83 passing yards and a touchdown to go ahead 7-0 on the need-to-win-to-make-the-playoffs Colts. It’s still very early, but Jacksonville is off to an almost perfect start.

False alarm! 

It appeared as if T.J. Watt tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record on the Ravens’ first drive, but it turned out not to be the case. After an aborted snap, quarterback Tyler Huntley became a runner, according to the official scorer. That means that while Watt still forced a fumble and set the Steelers up in great scoring position, he’s still a sack away from joining the Giants’ great in the history books.

Raiders expected to welcome back offensive playmaker

Darren Waller entered 2021 as far and away the Raiders’ biggest offensive playmaker, and while Hunter Renfrow may have surpassed him as the No. 1 pass-catcher thanks to a 99-catch, 1,025-yard season, the Pro Bowl tight end is crucial to Las Vegas’ success.

Waller has not suited up since injuring his knee in the Raiders’ Thanksgiving Day win over the Cowboys, but after a five-game absence, he is expected to play in a likely win-or-go-home showdown with the Chargers on “Sunday Night Football,” per ESPN’s Dianna Russini. His 6-foot-6, 255-pound frame, athleticism and sure hands would go a long way toward the Raiders making their first playoff appearance since 2016.

The Raiders could also secure a berth if the Colts and Steelers both lose earlier in the day, although with the Colts 14-point favorites in Jacksonville, that scenario is a long shot.