NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Final Week.
As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots remain open. Yet, a great deal more is on the line, such as the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and several division titles.
The schedule makers have produced a dramatic finale, 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 (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the #4 spot and a home game in the first playoff round. At the same time, Buffalo and Los Angeles are set as wildcard teams.
The Texans need a win coupled with a Jacksonville loss to jump from fifth to third. Denver will earn the top seed with a win, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still win the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes.
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 the 49ers, with a week off and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in each conference receives a crucial bye week and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the #2 team plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds join the competition, hosting the weakest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the highest seed, underscoring the critical value of securing that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry reaches its climax in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a true elimination situation.
The Steelers have been up and down this season, while the Ravens started poorly but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller Lamar Jackson is questionable with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team secures the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that it provides.
This matchup pits an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB their young passer came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked second best in the league.
The Seahawks' quarterback their passer must avoid mistakes that have haunted him this year. Whoever wins this clash gains a massive edge for the playoff run.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team enters this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to secure the title.
For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to steal the division crown.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
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 #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Broncos loss would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They need a win and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed by the Houston Texans in the division standings.
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)
