NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.
Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, a great deal more is on the line, such as the highly desired top seeds in both conferences and several divisional crowns.
NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in two direct winner-take-all contests.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will secure the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. At the same time, Buffalo and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams.
The Texans need a victory and a Jacksonville loss to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will earn the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could open the door for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it.
NFC Standings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the #4 position. However, Carolina could still claim the division even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes.
The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a crucial bye week and home games throughout the postseason.
During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the #2 team plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.
For the second round, the top seeds enter the fray, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the immense value of earning that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the regular season. The divisional title and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
The Steelers have been up and down this season, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in contention. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver their top wideout, while the Ravens' signal-caller Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a back injury.
Running back the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring battle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when Seattle visits San Francisco. The winner secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This game pits an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's defense is rated among the best in the league.
Seattle quarterback their passer needs to cut down on mistakes that have haunted him this year. Whoever comes out on top earns a huge edge for the playoff run.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this contest with strong form. Tampa Bay have lost four straight, while Carolina have squandered recent opportunities to secure the division.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is more complex. Even with a victory, they need help 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)
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 likely to rest starters seals it.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Denver defeat would give the #1 ranking to New England.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They need a win and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable 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)