🔗 Share this article NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Season Finale. Baltimore battles Pittsburgh to determine the AFC North, while San Francisco and San Francisco meet for the #1 spot in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted top seeds in both conferences and several divisional crowns. NFL schedulers have crafted a perfect finale, with the final two play-off positions to be decided in two direct winner-take-all matchups. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England Patriots (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8) Houston Texans (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo (11-5) The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will secure the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard entrants. Houston need a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will secure the top seed with a win, but a setback could pave the way for New England or the Jaguars to claim it. NFC Standings Seattle (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia (11-5) Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The South division will be claimed by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still win the divisional title 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 #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks 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 earns a crucial first-round bye and home-field advantage for the duration of the postseason. During the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5. For the Divisional Round, the top seeds join the competition, facing the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, underscoring the critical value of earning that top spot. Win or Go Home in the AFC North Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday) This fierce rivalry reaches its climax in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine elimination situation. The Steelers have been inconsistent all year, while the Ravens started poorly but are still in contention. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may be without key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a physical, low-scoring battle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) More than just the division title is on the line when Seattle travels to the 49ers. The winner secures the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that comes with it. This game features an explosive San Francisco attack against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked second best in the league. The Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. The team that wins this clash gains a huge edge for the postseason journey. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Neither team enters this contest with much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to secure the division. The Panthers it's simple: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim the divisional championship. AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (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 likely to rest starters gets it done. If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to New England. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. 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)
Baltimore battles Pittsburgh to determine the AFC North, while San Francisco and San Francisco meet for the #1 spot in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted top seeds in both conferences and several divisional crowns. NFL schedulers have crafted a perfect finale, with the final two play-off positions to be decided in two direct winner-take-all matchups. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England Patriots (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8) Houston Texans (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo (11-5) The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will secure the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard entrants. Houston need a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will secure the top seed with a win, but a setback could pave the way for New England or the Jaguars to claim it. NFC Standings Seattle (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia (11-5) Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The South division will be claimed by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still win the divisional title 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 #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks 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 earns a crucial first-round bye and home-field advantage for the duration of the postseason. During the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5. For the Divisional Round, the top seeds join the competition, facing the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, underscoring the critical value of earning that top spot. Win or Go Home in the AFC North Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday) This fierce rivalry reaches its climax in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine elimination situation. The Steelers have been inconsistent all year, while the Ravens started poorly but are still in contention. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may be without key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a physical, low-scoring battle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) More than just the division title is on the line when Seattle travels to the 49ers. The winner secures the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that comes with it. This game features an explosive San Francisco attack against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked second best in the league. The Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. The team that wins this clash gains a huge edge for the postseason journey. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Neither team enters this contest with much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to secure the division. The Panthers it's simple: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim the divisional championship. AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (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 likely to rest starters gets it done. If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to New England. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. 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)