NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Final Week.
Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths remain open. However, a great deal more is at stake, such as the highly desired top seeds in both conferences and several divisional crowns.
NFL schedulers have produced a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places on the line in two direct winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The winner of the Steelers-Ravens contest will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the wildcard round. At the same time, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants.
The Texans require a win coupled with a Jaguars loss to climb from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will earn the top seed with a win, but a setback could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it.
NFC Standings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, granting them the fourth seed. Notably, Carolina could still claim the division even with a defeat, depending on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, however, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
For the second round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, hosting the lowest surviving team. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the immense importance of securing that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This fierce rivalry reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine elimination scenario.
Pittsburgh have been inconsistent all year, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a back injury.
Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title 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 comes with it.
This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB their young passer came back, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's unit is rated among the best in the league.
The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. The team that comes out on top earns a huge edge for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this game with much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to secure the division.
For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they need help from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to steal the division crown.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
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)
Denver hold the cards for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest starters gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a win and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken 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)