Complete NFL playoff scenarios for Week 18…
Significant questions stay unanswered forward of what needs to be a thrilling Week 18.
The NFL’s penultimate slate of regular-season motion noticed two more groups clinch playoff berths, while three squads captured their respective division titles.
The Packers turned playoff-bound after the Lions fell to the Vikings on Christmas Day, though Green Bay’s Saturday loss to the Ravens opened the door for the Bears to seize the NFC North title.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams. AP
The Texans took down the Chargers Saturday to punch their ticket to the postseason, coincidentally presenting the Broncos with the AFC West crown.
Meanwhile, the Patriots gained the AFC East on Sunday after the Bills fell to the Eagles.
Still, there’s a vacant playoff spot in each convention, a pair of unclaimed No. 1 seeds, and 4 division titles that stay up for grabs — and just one week to determine it all.
Here’s a look at the current NFL playoff image with clinching scenarios heading into Week 18.
AFC
Denver Broncos (13-3)
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. AP
Matchup: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Broncos can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field benefit with any of the next:
Win
Tie and Patriots loss or tie
Patriots loss and Jaguars loss or tie
New England Patriots (13-3)
Matchup: vs Miami Dolphins (7-9); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Like Denver, New England may clinch the No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field benefit with either of these scenarios:
Win and Broncos loss or tie
Tie and Broncos loss
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
Matchup: vs. Tennessee Titans (3-13); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The Jaguars would secure the AFC South title with any of the next:
Win or tie
Texans loss or tie
Jacksonville also as an exterior shot of successful the convention and may seize the top seed, first-round bye and home-field benefit with:
Win, Broncos loss and Patriots loss
Houston Texans (11-5)
Matchup: vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-8); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The Texans, who clinched a playoff berth in Week 17, may win the AFC South in the next situation:
Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Matchup: at Pittsburgh (*18*) (9-7); “Sunday Night Football,” 8:20 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh’s dramatic Week 17 loss to the Browns set up a winner-take-all showdown for the AFC North title. Baltimore’s path to clinching the division crown is simple:
Pittsburgh (*18*) (9-7)
Matchup: vs. Baltimore Ravens (8-8); “Sunday Night Football,” 8:20 p.m. ET
On the other aspect of the coin, Pittsburgh can win the AFC North with:
NFC
Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
Seattle Seahawks star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba Getty Images
Matchup: at San Francisco 49ers (12-4); Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
Heading to enemy territory, the Seahawks may seize the NFC West crown, a first-round bye and home-field benefit in the next scenarios:
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Matchup: vs. Seattle Seahawks (13-3); Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
After catching up to their division rivals in the standings, the 49ers’ path to leaping them for the division title, a first-round bye and home-field benefit is simple:
Carolina Panthers (8-8)
Matchup: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9); Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
An almost-winner-take-all matchup with some additional insurance coverage for Carolina. The Panthers may clinch the NFC South title with:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Matchup: vs. Carolina Panthers (8-8); Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
The Buccaneers, winners of just one of their last eight video games, won’t only need to flip the ship around — but also get fortunate. They can clinch the NFC South in the next situation:
Buccaneers win and Falcons loss or tie
Current Seeding and Projected Matchups
AFC
No. 2 Patriots vs. No. 7 Bills
No. 3 Jaguars vs. No. 6 Chargers
No. 4 (*18*) vs. No. 5 Texans
First-Round Bye: No.1 Broncos
NFC
No. 2 Bears vs. No. 7 Packers
No. 3 Eagles vs. No. 6 Rams
No. 4 Panthers vs. No. 5 49ers
First-Round Bye: No. 1 Seahawks
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