🔗 Share this article NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week. Pittsburgh faces off against Pittsburgh to decide the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco clash for the #1 spot in the NFC. Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, far more is on the line, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several division titles. The schedule makers have produced a dramatic finale, with the final two play-off positions on the line in two direct winner-take-all contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (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 game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams. The Texans require a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to jump 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 the Jaguars to snatch it. NFC Standings Seattle (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 Packers (9-6) The South division is up for grabs by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still win the division even with a loss, depending on other results. Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The #1 team in each conference earns a crucial bye week and home games for the duration of the postseason. On the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5. In the second round, the top seeds join the fray, hosting the weakest surviving team. The conference title 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 Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday) This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. The divisional title and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine elimination scenario. Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in contention. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury. Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring 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 San Francisco. The winner claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides. This game features an explosive San Francisco attack against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is rated among the best in the league. Seattle QB Sam Darnold must avoid mistakes that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge edge for the playoff run. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Neither team comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while the Panthers have missed chances to secure the division. The Panthers it's simple: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require help from the Falcons-Saints game to steal the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) Denver control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done. Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to New England. Jacksonville are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the 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)
Pittsburgh faces off against Pittsburgh to decide the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco clash for the #1 spot in the NFC. Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, far more is on the line, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several division titles. The schedule makers have produced a dramatic finale, with the final two play-off positions on the line in two direct winner-take-all contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (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 game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams. The Texans require a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to jump 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 the Jaguars to snatch it. NFC Standings Seattle (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 Packers (9-6) The South division is up for grabs by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still win the division even with a loss, depending on other results. Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The #1 team in each conference earns a crucial bye week and home games for the duration of the postseason. On the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5. In the second round, the top seeds join the fray, hosting the weakest surviving team. The conference title 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 Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday) This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. The divisional title and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine elimination scenario. Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in contention. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury. Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring 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 San Francisco. The winner claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides. This game features an explosive San Francisco attack against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is rated among the best in the league. Seattle QB Sam Darnold must avoid mistakes that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge edge for the playoff run. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Neither team comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while the Panthers have missed chances to secure the division. The Panthers it's simple: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require help from the Falcons-Saints game to steal the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) Denver control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done. Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to New England. Jacksonville are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the 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)