NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.
As we head into the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, far more is on the line, such as the coveted top seeds in both conferences and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have crafted a perfect finale, with the two remaining postseason places to be decided in two direct winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The winner of the Steelers-Ravens contest will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants.
Houston need a win and a Jaguars loss to climb from fifth to third. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, granting them the #4 position. However, the Panthers could still win the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes.
Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in each conference receives a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs.
During Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams face off: the second seed plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth.
For the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the fray, facing the lowest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the immense value of securing that #1 ranking.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
The Steelers have been up and down this season, while the Ravens started poorly but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may be without star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is questionable with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks travels to San Francisco. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This matchup features an explosive San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback their young passer came back, the 49ers have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is rated among the best in the NFL.
Seattle QB their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever comes out on top earns a massive edge for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this game with much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed chances to clinch the title.
The Panthers it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they need help from the Falcons-Saints game to steal the division crown.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest starters gets it done.
Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would hand the top seed to New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a win and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. 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)