Every year, the NFL waits as long as possible before releasing the Week 18 schedule and that announcement finally came on Sunday night.

The NFL's Week 18 schedule is about to fall into place, but there's still some sorting out to be done in the penultimate week of the regular season.

Week 18 battle-tested as John Lynch details why tough late-season matchups prepare San Francisco for a playoff run and a shot at the NFC's top seed.

Week 18 action kicks off with a Saturday doubleheader, however, which features the Carolina Panthers at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC, and the Seattle Seahawks at the San Francisco 49ers at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.