🔗 Share this article NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Final Week. Pittsburgh battles Baltimore to determine the AFC North, while San Francisco and San Francisco meet for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and four division titles. NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of winner-take-all contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver Broncos (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 Bills (11-5) The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will claim the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. At the same time, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants. Houston require a victory and a Jaguars loss to jump from the fifth seed to third. Denver will secure the top seed with a win, but a loss could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle (13-3) Chicago (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (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 fourth seed. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes. Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line. How the NFL Postseason Works The top seed in each conference earns a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the postseason. On the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams face off: the #2 team plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth. In the second round, the top seeds enter the fray, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC championship games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the critical value of earning that #1 ranking. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the regular season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true elimination situation. The Steelers have been up and down this season, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a health issue. Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, 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 at stake when Seattle travels to the 49ers. The victorious team claims the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that comes with it. This game pits an explosive San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the league's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked among the best in the NFL. Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday) Neither team enters this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have lost seven of eight, while Carolina have squandered chances to secure the title. The Panthers it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim the division crown. AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday) Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) Denver control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a Chargers team likely to rest starters gets it done. Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat 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)
Pittsburgh battles Baltimore to determine the AFC North, while San Francisco and San Francisco meet for the top seed in the NFC. As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and four division titles. NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of winner-take-all contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver Broncos (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 Bills (11-5) The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will claim the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. At the same time, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants. Houston require a victory and a Jaguars loss to jump from the fifth seed to third. Denver will secure the top seed with a win, but a loss could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle (13-3) Chicago (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (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 fourth seed. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes. Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line. How the NFL Postseason Works The top seed in each conference earns a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the postseason. On the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams face off: the #2 team plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth. In the second round, the top seeds enter the fray, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC championship games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the critical value of earning that #1 ranking. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the regular season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true elimination situation. The Steelers have been up and down this season, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a health issue. Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, 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 at stake when Seattle travels to the 49ers. The victorious team claims the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that comes with it. This game pits an explosive San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the league's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked among the best in the NFL. Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday) Neither team enters this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have lost seven of eight, while Carolina have squandered chances to secure the title. The Panthers it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim the division crown. AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday) Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) Denver control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a Chargers team likely to rest starters gets it done. Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team. The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat 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)