ClutchPoints
Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season had massive playoff implications, starting with the three-game slate on Christmas Day. With divisional titles, Wild Card berths, and conference top seeds all on the line, ClutchPoints’ Week 18 NFL Power Rankings saw quite a lot of movement.
Check out ClutchPoints’ Week 18 NFL Power Rankings to see where your team lands.
An easy win for the New England Patriots, coupled with a loss by the Buffalo Bills, locked up the AFC East title for NE. Drake Maye continued his strong sophomore campaign, throwing five touchdowns in the win, including one to Stefon Diggs, who crossed the 100-yard mark for the second straight week.
With the win, the Patriots only have the top seed in the AFC to fight for, as all other playoff implications are locked up. Head coach Mike Vrabel has been exactly what this franchise has needed to get back on the right track, as he should definitely factor into the Coach of the Year race this year.
A hard-fought win over the Carolina Panthers helps keep the Seattle Seahawks atop the NFC West divisional race. Their 27-10 road win helps keep them atop the NFC in the first seed, as they aim to be the lone team with a bye in the conference.
A big day from Zach Charbonnet paced the offense, as the RB2 for Seattle ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba produced a nine-catch, 72-yard performance in Seattle’s 13th win on the year.
It was quite the barn burner in Sunday Night Football, as the San Francisco 49ers won a shootout with the Chicago Bears, 42-38. Another strong showing from Brock Purdy (three passing TDs, two rushing TDs) paced the Niners as they earned their 12th win of the year.
A Saturday matchup with the Seahawks awaits the Niners in Week 18, with the winner earning the top seed in the NFC and the NFC West divisional title. A lot is on the line for San Francisco next week, and it could very well be the best game of the slate.
The Los Angeles Rams face the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football, in a matchup with major playoff implications in the NFC. While the Falcons are eliminated, the Rams are still fighting for the NFC West title, albeit they are behind both the Seahawks and 49ers.
While it took more than expected to earn the win, the Denver Broncos earned a win in Week 17 over the Kansas City Chiefs to help lock up the AFC West division title. Still in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the AFC, Denver looked a bit sluggish at times against Kansas City, but they did enough to earn their 13th win of the year.
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