🔗 Share this article NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Season Finale. Baltimore faces off against Pittsburgh to determine the AFC North, while Seattle and Seattle clash for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. However, far more is at stake, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several divisional crowns. NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in two direct head-to-head contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo (11-5) The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will claim the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. At the same time, Buffalo and Los Angeles are set as wildcard entrants. Houston require a victory coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to claim it. NFC Standings Seattle (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, granting them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes. The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC 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 each conference earns a crucial first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs. During Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams face off: the #2 team plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth. For the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, facing the weakest remaining seed. The conference title games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the critical value 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 regular season. The divisional title and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine elimination situation. Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in contention. Key injuries may prove critical: Pittsburgh may be without key target their top wideout, while the Ravens' quarterback their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive battle. Battle for #1 in the NFC Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) Not only the division title is on the line when Seattle visits the 49ers. The winner claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that it provides. This matchup pits an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is rated second best in the NFL. The Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. The team that wins this clash earns 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 strong form. Tampa Bay have lost seven of eight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to clinch the division. The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a win, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to steal the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy 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 hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done. Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to New England. Jacksonville are the long shot. They require a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an improbable ascent to #1. More pressingly, 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)
Baltimore faces off against Pittsburgh to determine the AFC North, while Seattle and Seattle clash for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. However, far more is at stake, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several divisional crowns. NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in two direct head-to-head contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo (11-5) The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will claim the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. At the same time, Buffalo and Los Angeles are set as wildcard entrants. Houston require a victory coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to claim it. NFC Standings Seattle (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, granting them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes. The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC 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 each conference earns a crucial first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs. During Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams face off: the #2 team plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth. For the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, facing the weakest remaining seed. The conference title games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the critical value 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 regular season. The divisional title and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine elimination situation. Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in contention. Key injuries may prove critical: Pittsburgh may be without key target their top wideout, while the Ravens' quarterback their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive battle. Battle for #1 in the NFC Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) Not only the division title is on the line when Seattle visits the 49ers. The winner claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that it provides. This matchup pits an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is rated second best in the NFL. The Seahawks' QB Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. The team that wins this clash earns 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 strong form. Tampa Bay have lost seven of eight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to clinch the division. The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a win, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to steal the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy 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 hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done. Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to New England. Jacksonville are the long shot. They require a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an improbable ascent to #1. More pressingly, 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)