🔗 Share this article NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Season Finale. Pittsburgh battles Baltimore to determine the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco meet for the top seed in the NFC. Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. However, a great deal more is on the line, such as the coveted top seeds in each conference and four divisional crowns. NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the final two play-off positions to be decided in two direct head-to-head contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 American Football Conference Rankings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston Texans (11-5) Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) Buffalo Bills (11-5) The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants. Houston need a victory coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to the third seed. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could open the door for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia (11-5) Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, earning them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still claim the division even with a loss, depending on other outcomes. The Packers 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 week off and home-field advantage on the line. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The #1 team in each conference earns a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs. On the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. In the second round, the #1 seeds join the fray, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by 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 grudge match 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 elimination situation. The Steelers have been inconsistent this season, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may miss key target their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a back injury. Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what promises to be a physical, low-scoring struggle. Battle for #1 in the NFC Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is on the line when the Seahawks visits 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 high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked among the best in the NFL. Seattle QB Sam Darnold needs to cut down on mistakes that have haunted him this year. Whoever comes out on top earns a huge advantage for the playoff run. NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this game with strong form. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to clinch the title. For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is more complex. Even with a win, they require help from the Falcons-Saints matchup to steal the division crown. AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit starters seals it. Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Denver defeat would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team. Jacksonville are the dark horse. They need a triumph and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an unlikely ascent to #1. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the Houston Texans in the AFC South. 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)
Pittsburgh battles Baltimore to determine the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco meet for the top seed in the NFC. Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. However, a great deal more is on the line, such as the coveted top seeds in each conference and four divisional crowns. NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the final two play-off positions to be decided in two direct head-to-head contests. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 American Football Conference Rankings Denver Broncos (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston Texans (11-5) Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) Buffalo Bills (11-5) The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants. Houston need a victory coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to the third seed. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could open the door for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia (11-5) Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco 49ers (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, earning them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still claim the division even with a loss, depending on other outcomes. The Packers 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 week off and home-field advantage on the line. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The #1 team in each conference earns a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs. On the Wild Card round, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. In the second round, the #1 seeds join the fray, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by 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 grudge match 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 elimination situation. The Steelers have been inconsistent this season, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may miss key target their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a back injury. Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what promises to be a physical, low-scoring struggle. Battle for #1 in the NFC Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is on the line when the Seahawks visits 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 high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is ranked among the best in the NFL. Seattle QB Sam Darnold needs to cut down on mistakes that have haunted him this year. Whoever comes out on top earns a huge advantage for the playoff run. NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this game with strong form. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to clinch the title. For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is more complex. Even with a win, they require help from the Falcons-Saints matchup to steal the division crown. AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit starters seals it. Should Denver falter, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Denver defeat would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team. Jacksonville are the dark horse. They need a triumph and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an unlikely ascent to #1. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the Houston Texans in the AFC South. 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)