🔗 Share this article NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Season Finale. Baltimore faces off against Pittsburgh to decide the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco clash for the #1 spot in the NFC. Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, far more is at stake, including the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and four division titles. NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic ending, with the final two play-off positions on the line in a pair of winner-take-all matchups. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver (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 winner of the Steelers-Ravens game will secure the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. At the same time, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams. The Texans require a win coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could open the door for New England or Jacksonville to claim it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle Seahawks (13-3) Chicago (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) Los Angeles Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The South division will be claimed by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the fourth seed. However, Carolina could still win the divisional title even with a loss, contingent on other results. The Packers are locked into the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, though, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage on the line. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a crucial bye week and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. On the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the second seed plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. For the Divisional Round, the top seeds join 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 #1 ranking. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This fierce rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation. The Steelers have been inconsistent all year, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in contention. Key injuries may prove critical: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a physical, low-scoring battle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday) More than just the division title is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team claims the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it. This matchup pits an explosive 49ers offense against a stingy Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's unit is rated second best in the league. The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to secure the division. The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints game 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 control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win 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 New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would hand the #1 ranking to New England. Jacksonville are the dark horse. They require a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, 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)
Baltimore faces off against Pittsburgh to decide the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco clash for the #1 spot in the NFC. Entering the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, far more is at stake, including the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and four division titles. NFL schedulers have crafted a dramatic ending, with the final two play-off positions on the line in a pair of winner-take-all matchups. NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18 AFC Standings Denver (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 winner of the Steelers-Ravens game will secure the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. At the same time, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams. The Texans require a win coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could open the door for New England or Jacksonville to claim it. National Football Conference Rankings Seattle Seahawks (13-3) Chicago (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) Los Angeles Rams (11-5) Green Bay (9-6) The South division will be claimed by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the fourth seed. However, Carolina could still win the divisional title even with a loss, contingent on other results. The Packers are locked into the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, though, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage on the line. Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a crucial bye week and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. On the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the second seed plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth. For the Divisional Round, the top seeds join 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 #1 ranking. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This fierce rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation. The Steelers have been inconsistent all year, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in contention. Key injuries may prove critical: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a physical, low-scoring battle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday) More than just the division title is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team claims the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it. This matchup pits an explosive 49ers offense against a stingy Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's unit is rated second best in the league. The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to secure the division. The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints game 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 control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win 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 New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would hand the #1 ranking to New England. Jacksonville are the dark horse. They require a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, 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)