NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, far more is on the line, such as the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and several divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining postseason places to be decided in two direct winner-take-all contests.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
AFC Standings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.
Houston require a win coupled with a Jacksonville loss to jump from fifth to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could pave the way for New England or Jacksonville to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, earning them the #4 position. However, Carolina could still win the division even with a loss, contingent on other results.
The Packers are set at the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, though, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs.
During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the second seed plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the critical importance of earning that top spot.
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 regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine elimination situation.
The Steelers have been up and down this season, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in contention. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may miss key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue.
Running back Derrick Henry could be the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive struggle.
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 visits the 49ers. The victorious team secures the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that comes with it.
This game pits an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback their young passer came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's unit is ranked among the best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold must avoid mistakes that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash gains a huge edge for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs enters this contest with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while the Panthers have squandered recent opportunities to secure the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is more complex. Even with a victory, they require another result from the Falcons-Saints game to steal the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos hold the cards for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest key players seals it.
Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Denver defeat would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a win and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the Houston Texans in the division standings.
Full Slate of Final Week Games
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)
