NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.
Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. Yet, far more is at stake, such as the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic ending, with the two remaining postseason places on the line in two direct winner-take-all matchups.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will secure the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. At the same time, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams.
Houston need a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to jump from the fifth seed to the third seed. The Broncos will secure 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 (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The NFC South will be claimed by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, granting them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other results.
The Packers are locked into the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable first-round bye and home games throughout the play-offs.
During the Wild Card round, the other six qualified teams compete: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, highlighting the immense importance of securing that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
The Steelers have been up and down all year, while the Ravens started poorly but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may be without star receiver their top wideout, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury.
Running back the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, 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 Seattle travels to the 49ers. The victorious team claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the championship game that it provides.
This game pits an explosive San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is ranked among the best in the league.
The Seahawks' QB their passer must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. The team that wins this clash gains a huge advantage for the playoff run.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have lost seven of eight, while Carolina have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the division.
The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is more complex. Even with a victory, they need help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to steal the divisional championship.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team likely to rest starters gets it done.
Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would give the top seed 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 unlikely rise to the top. More importantly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed 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)
