NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two play-off spots are still up for grabs. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, including the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a dramatic ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of winner-take-all contests.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams.
The Texans require a win coupled with a Jaguars loss to jump from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a win, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to claim 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 is up for grabs by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, earning them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a crucial first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
During the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams face off: the second seed hosts the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
In the second round, the top seeds join the competition, hosting the weakest surviving team. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, highlighting the critical value of earning that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This fierce rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: Pittsburgh may be without star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for the Ravens 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 travels to San Francisco. The victorious team claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This game features an explosive 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is rated second best in the league.
The Seahawks' QB their passer must avoid mistakes that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash gains 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 clinch the division.
For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints game to steal the divisional championship.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (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 starters seals it.
If the Broncos lose, 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 require a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the Houston Texans in the AFC South.
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)