NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Final Week.
As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted top seeds in both conferences and four divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have crafted a dramatic ending, with the final two play-off positions on the line in two direct winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
AFC Standings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. At the same time, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants.
The Texans require a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to climb from fifth to third. The Broncos will earn the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The NFC South is up for grabs by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, granting them the #4 position. However, Carolina could still win the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes.
The Packers are locked into the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable bye week and home games for the duration of the postseason.
On the Wild Card round, the other six qualified teams compete: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.
In the second round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the critical value of earning that top spot.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce rivalry reaches its climax in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home situation.
Pittsburgh have been inconsistent all year, while Baltimore started poorly but remain in contention. Key injuries may prove critical: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is questionable with a health issue.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what promises to be a physical, low-scoring battle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is on the line when Seattle visits San Francisco. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the path to the championship game that it provides.
This game pits an explosive 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB their young passer came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's unit is rated among the best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' quarterback their passer must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. The team that comes out on top gains a massive advantage for the playoff run.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this game with strong form. Tampa Bay have dropped four straight, while Carolina have missed recent opportunities to secure the division.
For Carolina it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is more complex. Even with a win, they need another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
Denver hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A win over a Chargers team likely to rest key players seals it.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to New England.
Jacksonville are the dark horse. They need a win and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an unlikely rise to the top. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed 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)
