NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week.
Entering the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is at stake, including the highly desired top seeds in both conferences and several division titles.
NFL schedulers have crafted a perfect finale, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of head-to-head matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. At the same time, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams.
Houston require a win and a Jacksonville loss to climb from fifth to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, earning them the #4 position. Notably, the Panthers could still win the division even with a loss, depending on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks 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 throughout the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
In the second round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, hosting the weakest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by the best remaining team, highlighting the critical value of earning that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home scenario.
The Steelers have been up and down all year, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in the hunt. Key injuries may prove critical: The Steelers may be without star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's signal-caller Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a back injury.
Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a physical, low-scoring struggle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
More than just the division title is at stake when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The winner secures the conference's #1 spot and the path to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This game pits an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's unit is ranked second best in the league.
The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this year. Whoever wins this clash gains a massive advantage for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team enters this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while Carolina have missed recent opportunities to clinch the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they need help from the Falcons-Saints 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 control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a Chargers team likely to rest key players seals it.
If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an unlikely ascent to #1. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed by the Houston Texans in the AFC South.
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)
