Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, far more is on the line, including the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several divisional crowns.
NFL schedulers have produced a perfect finale, with the two remaining postseason places to be decided in two direct head-to-head matchups.
NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will secure the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. At the same time, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.
The Texans require a victory and a Jacksonville defeat to jump from the fifth seed to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The South division is up for grabs by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, granting them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a loss, contingent on other outcomes.
Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
During Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams compete: the second seed plays the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, facing the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by the best remaining team, underscoring the immense importance of securing that #1 ranking.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the NFL season. The divisional title and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home scenario.
The Steelers have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in contention. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what is set up as a physical, defensive battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when Seattle visits San Francisco. The victorious team claims the NFC's top seed and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This matchup features an explosive 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's unit is ranked second best in the league.
Seattle QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. Whoever comes out on top earns a massive advantage 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. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while Carolina have squandered chances to secure the title.
The Panthers it's simple: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a win, they need help from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to claim the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (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 L.A. Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a triumph and losses by both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed by the Houston Texans in the AFC South.
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)
