NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
As we head into the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, including the highly desired top seeds in each conference and four divisional crowns.
NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of winner-take-all contests.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. At the same time, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams.
Houston need a win coupled with a Jacksonville loss to jump from fifth to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a win, but a setback could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (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, depending on other outcomes.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The highlight, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home playoff games on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage for the duration of the postseason.
During Wildcard Weekend, the other six qualified teams compete: the #2 team plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the fray, facing the lowest remaining seed. The conference title games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the critical value of securing that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in contention. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a back injury.
Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as 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 at stake when the Seahawks travels to the 49ers. The winner claims 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 their young passer came back, San Francisco have been the league's highest scorers. On the other hand, Seattle's unit is ranked second best in the league.
The Seahawks' quarterback their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. The team that comes out on top earns a massive edge for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while Carolina have missed chances to secure the division.
The Panthers it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they require 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 victory over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done.
Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a win and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, 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)
