Houston coach DeMeco Ryans is balancing the need to keep his Texans healthy for their AFC wild-card playoff game against the desire to knock off rust after a long break leading into Sunday’s regular-season finale.

While some teams still try to make the playoffs, several NFL franchises could change their fortunes with a loss in Week 18, with the right to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft still up for grabs.

— Not all “resting” teams lose. According to research by Steve Makinen of VSiN, over the past 13 years, locked-in playoff teams sitting key starters in the final week are 13-23 outright but 20-14-2 against the spread. Consider that before laying double digits to the 15-1 Chiefs.

With Will Levis coming off a solid day, our expert NFL predictions expect Titans wideout Calvin Ridley to have a great day against the resting Texans.

Four teams enter Week 18 tied for the worst record in the NFL. Here's how each of them could get the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.