NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, far more is at stake, including the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several division titles.
The schedule makers have crafted a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places on the line in a pair of head-to-head matchups.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will secure the fourth seed and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants.
Houston need a win coupled with a Jaguars loss to jump from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will earn the top seed with a win, but a loss could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, granting them the #4 position. However, Carolina could still win the divisional title even with a loss, depending on other outcomes.
The Packers are locked into the seventh seed. The highlight, however, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs.
During the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the #2 team hosts the seventh, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
For the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the fray, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the immense importance of earning that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a true elimination situation.
Pittsburgh have been inconsistent all year, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in contention. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss key target DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a back injury.
Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for the Ravens 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 on the line when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This matchup pits an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy returned, San Francisco have been the league's highest scorers. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is rated among the best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' QB their passer must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever comes out on top earns a massive edge for the playoff run.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team enters this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to secure the division.
For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to claim the division crown.
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 AFC's top seed. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable ascent to #1. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken 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)
