NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week.
Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is at stake, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a dramatic ending, 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 Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will secure the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. At the same time, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants.
Houston need a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to jump from fifth to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could open the door for New England or Jacksonville to snatch 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 Panthers-Buccaneers game, granting them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still win the division even with a loss, contingent on other results.
The Packers are locked into the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, though, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle 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 each conference earns a valuable bye week and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams compete: the second seed hosts the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
For the second round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, hosting the lowest surviving team. The conference title games are then played at the highest seed, underscoring the critical value of earning that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce rivalry reaches its climax in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
The Steelers have been up and down all year, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in contention. Key injuries may prove critical: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is questionable with a health issue.
Running back the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive battle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the path to the championship game that it provides.
This game features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. Since quarterback their young passer came back, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked among the best in the NFL.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold needs to cut down on mistakes that have plagued him this season. Whoever comes out on top 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 comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped four straight, while Carolina have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the division.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to steal 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 #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team likely to rest starters gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Broncos loss would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. 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)
