NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Final Week.

Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, just two play-off spots remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, including the coveted top seeds in both conferences and four divisional crowns.

The schedule makers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining postseason places on the line in two direct head-to-head contests.

NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18

American Football Conference Rankings

1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
2. New England Patriots (13-3)
3. Jacksonville (12-4)
4. Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
5. Houston (11-5)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
7. Buffalo Bills (11-5)

The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are set as wildcard entrants.

Houston need a victory and a Jacksonville loss to climb from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a setback could open the door for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it.

NFC Standings

1. Seattle (13-3)
2. Chicago (11-5)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
4. Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
5. San Francisco (12-4)
6. L.A. Rams (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-6)

The South division is up for grabs by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, granting them the #4 position. Notably, Carolina could still claim the division even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes.

Green Bay are locked into the seventh spot. The highlight, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home playoff games on the line.

How the NFL Postseason Works

The top seed in each conference receives a valuable bye week and home games for the duration of the postseason.

During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the #2 team plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.

For the second round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, facing the weakest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by the highest seed, underscoring the critical value of earning that top spot.

AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)

This fierce grudge match reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine elimination scenario.

Pittsburgh have been inconsistent this season, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in the hunt. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss key target DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue.

Star rusher Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.

Battle for #1 in the NFC

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)

Not only the NFC West is on the line when Seattle visits San Francisco. The victorious team claims the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that comes with it.

This matchup pits an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's unit is rated second best in the NFL.

Seattle QB Sam Darnold needs to cut down on mistakes that have haunted him this season. Whoever comes out on top gains a massive advantage for the playoff run.

NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)

Both clubs comes into this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while Carolina have squandered chances to secure the division.

For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a win, they require help from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim the divisional championship.

AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs

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)

Denver control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.

If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to New England.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They require a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an improbable ascent to #1. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed 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)