🔗 Share this article NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Final Week. Baltimore faces off against Pittsburgh to determine the AFC North, while Seattle and Seattle meet for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots remain open. However, far more is on the line, including the coveted top seeds in each conference and several divisional crowns. The schedule makers have produced a dramatic finale, with the two remaining play-off positions to be decided in two direct winner-take-all contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings 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-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams. Houston require a win coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to third. Denver will secure the top seed with a win, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle (13-3) Chicago (11-5) Philadelphia (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) Los Angeles Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, earning them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes. Green Bay are locked into the seventh spot. The highlight, however, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs. During the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed hosts the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. In the Divisional Round, the top seeds join the competition, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the critical importance of earning that top spot. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday) This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home scenario. Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in the hunt. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may miss key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Running back Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for the Ravens in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive struggle. Battle for #1 in the NFC San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that comes with it. This matchup features an explosive San Francisco attack against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB their young passer returned, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is rated among the best in the NFL. The Seahawks' QB their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge edge for the playoff run. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while Carolina have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the title. The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans game 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. If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would give the top seed to New England. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a triumph and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed 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)
Baltimore faces off against Pittsburgh to determine the AFC North, while Seattle and Seattle meet for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots remain open. However, far more is on the line, including the coveted top seeds in each conference and several divisional crowns. The schedule makers have produced a dramatic finale, with the two remaining play-off positions to be decided in two direct winner-take-all contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings 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-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams. Houston require a win coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to third. Denver will secure the top seed with a win, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle (13-3) Chicago (11-5) Philadelphia (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) Los Angeles Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, earning them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes. Green Bay are locked into the seventh spot. The highlight, however, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs. During the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed hosts the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. In the Divisional Round, the top seeds join the competition, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the critical importance of earning that top spot. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday) This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home scenario. Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in the hunt. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may miss key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Running back Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for the Ravens in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive struggle. Battle for #1 in the NFC San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that comes with it. This matchup features an explosive San Francisco attack against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB their young passer returned, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is rated among the best in the NFL. The Seahawks' QB their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge edge for the playoff run. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while Carolina have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the title. The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans game 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. If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would give the top seed to New England. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a triumph and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed 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)