đ Share this article NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week. Baltimore battles Baltimore to determine the AFC North, while San Francisco and Seattle meet for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted top seeds in each conference and four divisional crowns. The schedule makers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in a pair of head-to-head matchups. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 American Football Conference Rankings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston Texans (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo (11-5) The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will secure the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants. Houston need a win and a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to the third seed. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way 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 Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the fourth seed. However, Carolina could still claim the division even with a defeat, contingent on other results. The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage on the line. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable bye week and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. During the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams compete: the second seed hosts the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. For the second round, the top seeds enter the fray, facing the weakest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, highlighting the immense importance of earning that top spot. Win or Go Home in the AFC North Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true elimination situation. Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in contention. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may miss star receiver their top wideout, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Running back Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive struggle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is at stake when Seattle visits San Francisco. The winner claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides. This game features an high-powered 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is rated among the best in the league. Seattle QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. The team that comes out on top gains a massive advantage for the postseason journey. NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs comes into this contest with strong form. Tampa Bay have dropped seven of eight, while Carolina have missed chances to secure the title. For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is more complex. Even with a win, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to steal the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday) Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday) The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a Chargers team likely to rest starters seals it. Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Broncos loss would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken 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)
Baltimore battles Baltimore to determine the AFC North, while San Francisco and Seattle meet for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted top seeds in each conference and four divisional crowns. The schedule makers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in a pair of head-to-head matchups. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 American Football Conference Rankings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston Texans (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo (11-5) The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will secure the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants. Houston need a win and a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to the third seed. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way 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 Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the fourth seed. However, Carolina could still claim the division even with a defeat, contingent on other results. The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage on the line. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable bye week and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. During the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams compete: the second seed hosts the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. For the second round, the top seeds enter the fray, facing the weakest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, highlighting the immense importance of earning that top spot. Win or Go Home in the AFC North Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true elimination situation. Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in contention. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may miss star receiver their top wideout, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Running back Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive struggle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is at stake when Seattle visits San Francisco. The winner claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides. This game features an high-powered 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is rated among the best in the league. Seattle QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. The team that comes out on top gains a massive advantage for the postseason journey. NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs comes into this contest with strong form. Tampa Bay have dropped seven of eight, while Carolina have missed chances to secure the title. For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is more complex. Even with a win, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to steal the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday) Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday) The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a Chargers team likely to rest starters seals it. Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Broncos loss would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken 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)