NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Final Week.
Entering the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. Yet, far more is on the line, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several division titles.
NFL schedulers have produced a perfect ending, with the final two play-off positions on the line in two direct head-to-head contests.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will secure the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams.
Houston need a win and a Jaguars loss to jump from fifth to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could pave the way for New England 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 Buccaneers (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 Carolina-Tampa Bay game, earning them the #4 position. Notably, the Panthers could still win the divisional title even with a loss, contingent on other outcomes.
Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home playoff games hanging in the balance.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The #1 team in each conference receives a crucial bye week and home-field advantage for the duration of the postseason.
During the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams compete: the #2 team plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
For the second round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, facing the lowest surviving team. The conference title games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the critical importance of securing that top spot.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (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 play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine elimination situation.
The Steelers have been inconsistent this season, while Baltimore started poorly but remain in the hunt. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller Lamar Jackson is questionable with a health issue.
Running back Derrick Henry could be the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a physical, low-scoring struggle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is on the line when the Seahawks travels to the 49ers. The victorious team secures the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that comes with it.
This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is ranked second best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' QB their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge edge for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs enters this game with much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to secure the title.
For Carolina it's simple: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a win, they require help 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)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos hold the cards for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Denver defeat would give the #1 ranking to New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a win and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an unlikely ascent to #1. More importantly, 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)
