The NFL likes to really draw out the reveal of their Week 18 schedule. Hoping to put some win-and-in scenarios in primetime for the final regular season week, the NFL waits until most of the Week 17 is done before scheduling the final week of the season. After the 49ers’ win over the Bears on Sunday night, the NFL finally released the dates and times of each game.
The Detroit Lions close out the season on the road against the Chicago Bears. Here’s everything you need to know about the regular season finale.
When does Lions vs. Bears kick off?
The NFL has scheduled Lions vs. Bears for Sunday, January 4 at 4:25 p.m. ET. As pointed out by MLive’s Ben Raven, that means every single Lions road game this season will kick off at a non-1 p.m. ET timeslot. Six were at 4:25 p.m. ET (one technically 4:30), two were “Sunday Night Football” games, and one was a “Monday Night Football” game.
What channel is Lions vs. Bears on?
The game will be on FOX. At this point, announcing teams have not been revealed.
What’s at stake for the Lions?
In terms of playoff stakes, there are none. However, there are two notable things to track based on the game’s outcome. First, if the Lions lose to the Bears, they will clinch a fourth-place schedule for the 2026 season, which looks like a pretty big advantage. Detroit will also clinch a fourth-place schedule if the Vikings beat a Packers team that is locked into the seven seed in the playoffs.
Additionally, the 2026 NFL Draft order will be impacted by the result of this game. As of Monday morning, the Lions currently sit in the 15th spot in draft order. They could finish anywhere between 11 and 18 based on Week 18 results.
What’s at stake for the Bears?
After losing to the 49ers on Sunday night, Chicago can no longer earn the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If they beat the Lions, they’re locked into the No. 2 seed and will host the Packers in the Wild Card round. If they lose to the Lions and the Eagles beat the Commanders, Chicago will drop to the three seed and play whichever of the NFC West teams finishes as the six seed. It could be the 49ers, Seahawks, or Rams.
What does the entire Week 18 schedule look like?
Saturday:
- Panthers at Buccaneers — 4:30 p.m. ET — ABC/ESPN
- Seahawks at 49ers — 8 p.m. ET — ABC/ESPN
Sunday — 1 p.m. ET games
- Saints at Falcons — FOX
- Browns at Bengals — CBS
- Packers at Vikings — CBS
- Cowboys at Giants — FOX
- Titans at Jaguars — FOX
- Colts at Texans — CBS
Sunday — 4:25 p.m. ET games
- Jets at Bills — CBS
- Lions at Bears — FOX
- Chargers at Broncos — CBS
- Chiefs at Raiders — CBS
- Cardinals at Rams — FOX
- Dolphins at Patriots — FOX
- Commanders at Eagles — CBS
Sunday Night Football
- Ravens at Steelers — 8:20 p.m. ET — NBC
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