NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.
Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of postseason berths remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, including the highly desired top seeds in each conference and several division titles.
NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic finale, with the final two postseason places on the line in a pair of head-to-head matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are set as wildcard entrants.
The Texans need a win and a Jaguars defeat to climb from the fifth seed to third. The Broncos will secure the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to claim it.
NFC Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, granting them the #4 position. Notably, the Panthers could still win the division even with a defeat, depending on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The highlight, though, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a week off and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in each conference earns a crucial bye week and home games throughout the play-offs.
On Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six qualified teams face off: the #2 team hosts the seventh, 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 championship games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the critical value of earning that #1 ranking.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter 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 genuine elimination situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may miss star receiver their top wideout, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue.
Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks travels to the 49ers. The winner claims the NFC's top seed and the road to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This game features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is ranked among the best in the league.
Seattle quarterback their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. The team that wins this clash earns a massive advantage for the playoff run.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team enters this contest with much momentum. Tampa Bay have lost four straight, while Carolina have squandered chances to clinch the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is more complex. Even with a win, they require another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim the divisional championship.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A win over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest starters 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 triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed by the Houston 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)
