NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
As we head into the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, far more is on the line, such as the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and several divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a dramatic finale, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of winner-take-all matchups.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
AFC Standings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Steelers-Ravens game will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants.
The Texans need a victory and a Jaguars loss to climb from fifth to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a setback could open the door for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, granting them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still win the divisional title even with a defeat, depending on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The highlight, however, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage on the line.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a crucial first-round bye and home games throughout the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams compete: the #2 team hosts the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth.
For the second round, the #1 seeds join the competition, hosting the weakest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC championship games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the immense importance of earning that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine elimination scenario.
Pittsburgh have been inconsistent all year, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may be without key target DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a back injury.
Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is on the line when Seattle visits San Francisco. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the championship game that comes with it.
This game features an explosive San Francisco attack against a stingy Seattle defense. With QB their young passer came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's defense is rated second best in the NFL.
Seattle quarterback their passer must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. The team that comes out on top 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 enters this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while the Panthers have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the division.
For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to steal the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)
Denver control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit key players seals it.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They need a win and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss 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)
