NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Final Week.
Entering the last weekend of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, far more is at stake, such as 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 to be decided in a pair of head-to-head contests.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
AFC Standings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard entrants.
The Texans require a victory and a Jaguars defeat to jump from fifth to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a win, but a setback could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, granting them the fourth seed. However, Carolina could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, depending on other outcomes.
The Packers are locked into the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, however, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and the 49ers, 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 receives a valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage for the duration of the postseason.
On Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams face off: the #2 team hosts the seventh, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the fray, hosting the weakest surviving team. The conference title games are then hosted by the best remaining team, underscoring the immense importance of securing that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (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 at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home scenario.
The Steelers have been up and down this season, while Baltimore started poorly but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may be without key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a back injury.
Star rusher the powerful back could be the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when Seattle visits the 49ers. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that comes with it.
This matchup features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a dominant Seattle defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's unit is ranked second best in the league.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid mistakes that have haunted him this year. Whoever comes out on top earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to secure the title.
For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the situation is more complex. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans 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)
Denver control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a Chargers team expected to sit starters gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
Jacksonville are the dark horse. They require a win and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the 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)
