NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Final Week.
Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, far more is at stake, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in two direct winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard entrants.
The Texans require a victory and a Jaguars loss to jump from fifth to third. The Broncos will earn the top seed with a win, but a loss could pave the way for New England or the Jaguars to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, granting them the fourth seed. However, Carolina could still claim the division even with a loss, contingent on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. 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-field advantage hanging in the balance.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in each conference receives a valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs.
On Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed plays the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
For the second round, the top seeds enter the fray, hosting the weakest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, underscoring the immense importance of earning 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 NFL season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine elimination scenario.
The Steelers have been up and down all year, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in contention. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's signal-caller Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a health issue.
Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring battle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is on the line when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's defense is ranked among the best in the league.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. Whoever wins this clash gains a massive edge 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 strong form. Tampa Bay have lost four straight, while Carolina have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the division.
The Panthers it's simple: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is more complex. Even with a win, they require another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim 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)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A win 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 combined with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to New England.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They need a win and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an improbable rise to the top. 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)
