NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.
Entering the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. However, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted top seeds in each conference and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining play-off positions to be decided in two direct winner-take-all matchups.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
AFC Standings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.
Houston require a victory coupled with a Jacksonville defeat to jump from fifth to third. The Broncos will secure the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a loss, contingent on other outcomes.
Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The highlight, however, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home playoff games hanging in the balance.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in each conference receives a valuable bye week and home games for the duration of the postseason.
On the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, facing the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the immense value of securing that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true elimination situation.
The Steelers have been up and down this season, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in the hunt. Key injuries may prove critical: Pittsburgh may be without key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a health issue.
Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when Seattle travels to San Francisco. The victorious team secures the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that it provides.
This game features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is rated among the best in the NFL.
Seattle QB Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to clinch the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)
Denver hold the cards for the AFC's top seed. A win over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to New England.
Jacksonville are the dark horse. They need a win and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken by the Houston Texans in the division standings.
NFL Week 18: Complete Schedule
Saturday, 3 January
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30)
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Sunday, 4 January
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (18:00)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (18:00)
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (18:00)
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (18:00)
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00)
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (18:00)
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (21:25)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25)
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (21:25)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (21:25)
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (21:25)
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles (21:25)
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)