NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Final Week.
Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots are still up for grabs. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, including the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and several division titles.
The schedule makers have produced a dramatic 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 (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. At the same time, Buffalo and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams.
The Texans require a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to climb from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could open the door for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The South division is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, granting them the #4 position. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the division even with a defeat, depending on other outcomes.
Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable bye week and home games throughout the play-offs.
During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the #2 team plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth.
In the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the competition, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the best remaining team, highlighting the critical importance of earning that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry reaches its climax in the final game of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth on the line, this is a true elimination situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in contention. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may be without key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what promises to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
More than just the NFC West is on the line when Seattle travels to the 49ers. The winner claims the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This matchup features an explosive 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB their young passer returned, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked among the best in the league.
Seattle QB Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever wins this clash gains a massive advantage for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while Carolina have missed chances to secure the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is more complex. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to steal the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would hand the top seed to New England.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They need a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the 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)
