NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Final Week.
Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is at stake, including the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and four divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the final two postseason places on the line in a pair of winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. At the same time, Buffalo and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams.
Houston need a victory and a Jacksonville loss to climb from the fifth seed to third. The Broncos will earn the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could pave the way for New England or Jacksonville to snatch it.
NFC Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The NFC South is up for grabs by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, granting them the fourth seed. Notably, Carolina could still win the division even with a loss, depending on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, though, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home playoff games hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a crucial bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the second seed plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
For the second round, the #1 seeds join the fray, facing the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, underscoring the critical value of securing that top spot.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry reaches its climax in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
Pittsburgh have been inconsistent this season, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue.
Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a physical, defensive battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
More than just the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The winner secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the championship game that comes with it.
This game features an high-powered 49ers offense against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's defense is ranked second best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid mistakes that have plagued him this year. The team that wins this clash earns a massive advantage for the playoff run.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs enters this game with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to clinch the title.
The Panthers it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is more complex. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the division crown.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (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.
Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken 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)
