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ESPN staffJan 4, 2026, 11:57 PM ET
The NFL’s regular-season finale brought long-awaited clarity to the playoff picture.
No game captured that reality more than the last matchup of the day, as the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Baltimore Ravens in a win-or-go-home showdown to decide the AFC North champion and the final postseason berth.
The high stakes provided plenty of fuel for trash talk and sharp sound bites, as some of the game’s best moments often come from what’s said before or after the whistle.
Players and coaches carried the intensity from the field to the podium, delivering standout lines in their postgame sessions.
From bold declarations to perfectly timed one-liners, here are the best quotes from around the NFL in Week 18.
芦It’s pretty emotional, honestly. It’s been a great year. I’m thankful for these guys and excited to be going to the playoffs for the first time in a long while.禄 Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers hung on to defeat the Ravens 26-24 after Baltimore’s Tyler Loop‘s 44-yard field goal attempt to win the game sailed wide right. On the previous drive, Rodgers connected with Calvin Austin III for a 26-yard go-ahead touchdown.
Rodgers is now back in the postseason for the first time since 2021, his penultimate season with the Green Bay Packers. He couldn’t help but be emotional when reflecting on what it meant to return to the playoffs.
芦That’ll be the next journey, trying to go out there and get 25.禄 Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett
When Garrett entered Week 16 with 21.5 sacks and 44 pressures, it appeared inevitable 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 Week 18’s outing seemed to be following a similar script — until Garrett finally broke through, taking down Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow with 5:16 remaining in the third quarter to register sack No. 23.
After the game, Garrett celebrated the milestone but was already looking ahead, setting his sights on his next goal: breaking the record again, this time with 25 sacks.
芦I’m going to go to Cancun like everybody tells me to do.禄 Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase
The Bengals were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Dec.14 following a 24-0 shutout loss to Baltimore, marking their third consecutive season of missing the postseason.
When asked after the regular-season finale, Chase shared that he already has a vacation destination solidified.
芦They suck bro. I don’t care. I have no respect for them. I don’t like nobody on the Broncos.禄 Los Angeles Chargers S Tony Jefferson
The Denver Broncos secured the AFC’s top playoff seed with a 19-3 win over a Chargers lineup filled largely with backups. Already qualified for the playoffs but with no chance to claim the AFC West crown, Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh rested several starters, most notably quarterback Justin Herbert, safety Derwin James Jr. and outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu. The result was a lopsided final score, and Jefferson delivered a message in the tunnel after the contest.
芦Call me back. This ain’t over.禄 Carolina Panthers HC Dave Canales
The Panthers clinched the NFC South for the first time since 2015 thanks to the Atlanta Falcons‘ 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints. Canales said his brother called to celebrate after the Falcons recorded what appeared to be a game-sealing interception. But with more than three minutes still remaining in the fourth quarter, Canales told him to call back once it was official.
芦That was fun.禄 Las Vegas Raiders HC Pete Carroll
The Raiders won their season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs, 14-12 to finish with a 3-14 record — tied for the most losses in a season in franchise history (2006).
Despite neither team recording a touchdown, the win came in dramatic fashion.
Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson drilled a career-long 60-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining to secure the win and snap Las Vegas’ 10-game losing streak. According to ESPN Research, it was the third-longest made field goal in franchise history, trailing only Sebastian Janikowski’s 63-yarder in 2011 and 61-yarder in 2009.
In his postgame news conference, Carroll offered a positive assessment, despite the difficult season.
芦We can really get down to business … and we’ll start first thing in the morning.禄 Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones
The Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 season officially ended at 4:02 p.m. ET with a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants.
It didn’t take long for owner and general manager Jerry Jones to quickly shift his focus — in his eyes, the 2026 season begins Monday.
