At a Glance
- 12 of 14 playoff spots already clinched, only one team locked into a seed
- AFC North and NFC South races still undecided
- Week 18 will decide division titles and top seeds in both conferences
- Why it matters: The outcomes will shape the playoff bracket and determine which teams host first-round games
The NFL’s final regular-season week is here, and while most of the postseason field is set, a handful of crucial matchups still carry the weight of playoff destiny. In the AFC, the North and South battles will decide the remaining seed and division titles. In the NFC, the West and South races will lock in the top seeds and the remaining wild-cards.
AFC Playoff Picture
The AFC has 12 teams already in the postseason, with only the North and South races still open. The division titles and the No. 1 seed will be decided in Week 18.
- Denver Broncos (13-3) – AFC West champions, potential No. 1 seed
- New England Patriots (13-3) – AFC East champions, potential No. 1 seed
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) – AFC South contender
- Houston Texans (11-5) – AFC South contender
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) – Wild-card
- Buffalo Bills (11-5) – Wild-card
- Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5) – AFC North contender
- Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – AFC North contender
| Conference | Team | Record | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC | Denver Broncos | 13-3 | West champion, possible No. 1 |
| AFC | New England Patriots | 13-3 | East champion, possible No. 1 |
| AFC | Jacksonville Jaguars | 12-4 | South contender |
| AFC | Houston Texans | 11-5 | South contender |
| AFC | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-5 | Wild-card |
| AFC | Buffalo Bills | 11-5 | Wild-card |
| AFC | Pittsburgh Steelers | 11-5 | North contender |
| AFC | Baltimore Ravens | 11-5 | North contender |
The No. 1 seed will be decided between the Broncos, Patriots, and Jaguars. The Broncos need a home win over the Chargers to clinch. The Jaguars have an easier path: a win or tie at home against Tennessee would secure the division and a top-three seed.
NFC Playoff Picture
In the NFC, the West and South races will decide the remaining seeds. The top seed and the division title will hinge on the showdown between the Seahawks and 49ers.
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3) – NFC West contender
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – NFC West contender
- Chicago Bears (11-5) – NFC North champions
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – NFC East champions
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5) – Wild-card
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) – Wild-card
- Carolina Panthers (11-5) – NFC South contender
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) – NFC South contender
| Conference | Team | Record | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFC | Seattle Seahawks | 13-3 | West contender |
| NFC | San Francisco 49ers | 12-4 | West contender |
| NFC | Chicago Bears | 11-5 | North champion |
| NFC | Philadelphia Eagles | 11-5 | East champion |
| NFC | Los Angeles Rams | 11-5 | Wild-card |
| NFC | Green Bay Packers | 9-6-1 | Wild-card |
| NFC | Carolina Panthers | 11-5 | South contender |
| NFC | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 11-5 | South contender |
The Seahawks and 49ers will decide the No. 1 seed and the West title. The Bears and Eagles will finish second and third, while the Panthers and Buccaneers will battle for the No. 4 seed and the NFC South title.
Key Scenarios for Week 18
- AFC North: Steelers vs. Ravens – the winner takes the No. 4 seed.
- AFC South: Jaguars vs. Texans – the winner claims the division and a top-three seed.
- NFC West: Seahawks vs. 49ers – the winner gets the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.
- NFC South: Panthers vs. Buccaneers – the winner secures the division and the No. 4 seed.
The playoffs will begin on Saturday, Jan. 10, with the Wild-Card Round, followed by the Divisional Round on Jan. 17-18, the Championship Games on Jan. 25, and Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Week 18 will decide the final playoff spots, top seeds, and division titles in both conferences.
- The AFC North and South, as well as the NFC West and South, remain undecided.
- The playoff bracket will be set by Sunday, with the postseason starting on Jan. 10.
The outcomes of these Week 18 games will lock in the teams that will host the first-round playoff matchups and set the stage for the rest of the NFL postseason.
