NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.
Entering the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths remain open. Yet, a great deal more is on the line, including the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and several divisional crowns.
NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the final two postseason places on the line in two direct 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 (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will secure the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants.
Houston need a win and a Jacksonville defeat to jump from the fifth seed to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (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 game, earning them the fourth seed. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the division even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes.
Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a crucial bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds join the fray, hosting the lowest surviving team. The conference title games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the immense importance of securing that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. The divisional title and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine win-or-go-home scenario.
The Steelers have been inconsistent all year, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a health issue.
Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.
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 victorious team claims the NFC's top seed and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This game features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's highest scorers. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is rated among the best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' quarterback their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. The team that comes out on top earns a huge advantage for the playoff run.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while Carolina have missed recent opportunities to secure the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a win, they need help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim 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)
Denver hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A win over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit starters gets it done.
Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a win and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken 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)
