The conclusion of the NFL regular season brought long-awaited clarity to the playoff picture.
No game reflected that reality more than Sunday’s final matchup. pittsburgh steelers hosted by Baltimore Ravens in a win-or-go-home contest to decide the AFC North champion and the final postseason berth.
The high stakes provided plenty of fuel for trash talk and loud sound bites, as some of the game’s best moments often come from things said before or after the whistle.
Players and coaches brought the intensity from the field to the podium, delivering extraordinary lines in post-game sessions.
From bold declarations to perfectly timed one-liners, here are the best quotes from around the NFL in Week 18.
“It’s pretty emotional, to be honest. It’s been a great year. I’m grateful for these guys and excited to get to the playoffs for the first time in a long time.” steelers qb aaron rodgers
Steelers hold on to beat Ravens 26-24 after baltimore tyler loopA 44-yard field goal attempt went wide right to win the game. On the last drive, Rodgers connected calvin austin iii For a 26-yard go-ahead touchdown.
Rodgers is now back in the postseason for the first time since 2021, his final season green Bay PackersHe couldn’t help but get emotional as he reflected on what it means to return to the playoffs,
“That’ll be the next trip, go there and try to get 25.” cleveland browns D.E miles garrett
When Garrett entered Week 16 with 21.5 sacks and 44 pressures, it seemed inevitable that he would break the NFL’s single-season sack record of 22.5. That certainty wavered after he failed to record a sack against the Steelers in Week 17. And the Week 18 outing seemed to follow a similar script – until Garrett finally went ahead and defeated him. cincinnati bengals quarterback joe burro To record sack number 23 with 5:16 left in the third quarter.
After the game, Garrett celebrated the milestone, but was already looking ahead, with his eyes set on his next goal: breaking the record again, this time with 25 sacks.
“I’m going to go to Cancun like everyone tells me to do.” Bengals WR jammer chase
The Bengals were officially eliminated from playoff contention on December 14 after a 24–0 shutout loss to Baltimore, their third consecutive season of missing the postseason.
When asked after the regular season finale, Chase shared that he already had a vacation destination in mind.
“They suck, brother. I don’t care. I have no respect for them. I don’t like anybody on the Broncos.” los angeles chargers S Tony Jefferson
denver broncos Secured the AFC’s top playoff seed with win 19-3 On a Chargers lineup loaded with massive backups. Having already qualified for the playoffs, but with no chance to claim the AFC West crown, Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh rested several starting players, especially quarterback Justin HerbertSecurity derwin james jr and outside linebacker Tuli TuipulotuThe result was an unbalanced final score, and Jefferson delivered a message in the tunnel after the contest,
“Call me back. It’s not over.” carolina panthers Coach Dave Canales
Panthers win NFC South for first time since 2015 atlanta falcons, win 19-17 Above New Orleans SaintsCanales said his brother called to celebrate after the Falcons recorded the game-sealing interception, But with still more than three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Canales asked him to call back after it was official,
“that was fun.” las vegas raiders Coach Pete Carroll
Raiders won their final match kansas city chiefs 14-12 To finish with a 3–14 record – equal to the most losses in a season in franchise history (2006).
Despite neither team recording a touchdown, Las Vegas won in dramatic fashion.
attacking kicker Daniel Carlson Kicked a career-high 60-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining to snap Las Vegas’ 10-game losing streak. According to ESPN Research, it was the third-longest made field goal in franchise history, behind only Sebastian JanikowskiThe 63-yarder in 2011 and the 61-yarder in 2009.
In his press conference after the game, Carroll offered a positive assessment, despite the difficult season.
“We can really get down to business… and we’ll start work first thing in the morning.” dallas cowboys Owner/General Manager Jerry Jones
The Cowboys’ 2025 season officially ends Sunday at 4:02 p.m. ET lost 34-17 But New York Giants,
It didn’t take long for Jones to shift his focus: In his eyes, the 2026 campaign begins Monday.
