NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Final Week.
Entering the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths remain open. Yet, a great deal more is on the line, including the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and four divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining postseason places on the line in a pair of winner-take-all matchups.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
AFC Standings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will claim the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard entrants.
The Texans need a win coupled with a Jacksonville loss to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will earn the top seed with a win, but a setback could open the door for New England or Jacksonville to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- 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 game, earning them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still win the division even with a defeat, depending on other outcomes.
The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, 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.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in each conference receives a valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the #2 team plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, hosting the weakest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the immense importance of earning that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine elimination situation.
Pittsburgh have been inconsistent this season, while the Ravens started poorly but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may be without star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's signal-caller Lamar Jackson is questionable with a back injury.
Running back the powerful back might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what promises to be a physical, defensive battle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The winner claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the championship game that comes with it.
This game features an explosive 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the league's highest scorers. Conversely, the Seahawks' unit is ranked second best in the league.
The Seahawks' quarterback their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this year. The team that wins this clash earns a massive advantage for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team enters this contest with much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while Carolina have missed recent opportunities to secure the division.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to claim 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 AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit key players seals it.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. 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)
