NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week.
Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is on the line, including the highly desired top seeds in both conferences and several division titles.
NFL schedulers have produced a perfect finale, with the two remaining postseason places on the line in a pair of winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the wildcard round. At the same time, the Bills and Los Angeles are set as wildcard entrants.
The Texans require a win and a Jacksonville defeat to jump from the fifth seed to third. The Broncos will secure the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could open the door for the Patriots or Jacksonville to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The NFC South will be claimed by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, granting them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the division even with a loss, depending on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in each conference receives a valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
During Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
For the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, hosting the weakest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the critical importance of earning that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine win-or-go-home scenario.
Pittsburgh have been inconsistent all year, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss key target DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what promises to be a physical, defensive struggle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when Seattle visits San Francisco. The winner claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that comes with it.
This matchup features an explosive 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's defense is rated second best in the league.
The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. The team that wins this clash gains a huge advantage for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this contest with strong form. Tampa Bay have lost four straight, while Carolina have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the division.
For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require help from the Falcons-Saints game to steal the divisional championship.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
Denver hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Broncos loss would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the 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)