NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.
Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, far more is at stake, including the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have produced a perfect finale, with the final two play-off positions to be decided in two direct winner-take-all contests.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
AFC Standings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard entrants.
Houston require a victory coupled with a Jacksonville loss to climb from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will earn the top seed with a win, but a loss could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (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 is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, granting them the fourth seed. Notably, the Panthers could still win the division even with a defeat, contingent on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The highlight, though, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between Seattle 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 earns a valuable bye week and home games for the duration of the play-offs.
On Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
In the second round, the top seeds join the competition, hosting the weakest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, underscoring the immense value of securing that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the final game of the NFL season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home situation.
The Steelers have been inconsistent all year, while the Ravens struggled early but remain in contention. Player availability could be decisive: The Steelers may miss key target DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a health issue.
Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is on the line when Seattle travels to San Francisco. The victorious team claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This matchup pits an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. With QB their young passer came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. Conversely, the Seahawks' defense is ranked among the best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' QB their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a massive 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 much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the title.
The Panthers it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to steal the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (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 AFC's top seed. A win over a Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Broncos loss would hand the #1 ranking to New England.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. More importantly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the 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)
