NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots remain open. However, far more is on the line, such as the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have crafted a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of head-to-head contests.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will secure the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants.
The Texans require a victory and a Jacksonville loss to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. The Broncos will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss 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 Panthers (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 victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the fourth seed. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other results.
The Packers are locked into the seventh spot. The highlight, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home playoff games on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in each conference receives a valuable bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the #2 team plays the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds join the competition, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then hosted by the highest seed, underscoring the immense value of securing that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the final game of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth on the line, this is a genuine elimination scenario.
Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in the hunt. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson is questionable with a health issue.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a physical, defensive 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 the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This game features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a dominant Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. Conversely, the Seahawks' unit is rated second best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever comes out on top 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 game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have missed chances to secure the title.
For Carolina it's simple: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they need another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to claim the division crown.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
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 door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Broncos loss would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They require a win and losses by both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the Houston Texans in the division standings.
Full Slate of Final Week Games
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)
