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 remain open. However, a great deal more is on the line, including the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a perfect finale, with the final two postseason places on the line in a pair of winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
AFC Standings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are set as wildcard entrants.
Houston require a victory coupled with a Jacksonville defeat to jump from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will earn the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could pave the way for New England or the Jaguars to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The South division is up for grabs by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the fourth seed. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a loss, depending on other outcomes.
Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games on the line.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable bye week and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs.
On Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the #2 team hosts the seventh, #3 plays #6, and fourth hosts fifth.
For the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the competition, facing the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then hosted by the best remaining team, highlighting the critical importance of earning that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the NFL season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may miss star receiver their top wideout, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive battle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when Seattle visits the 49ers. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is rated second best in the NFL.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this year. The team that comes out on top earns a massive advantage for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped four straight, while Carolina have squandered chances to clinch the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they need help from the Falcons-Saints game to claim the divisional championship.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
Denver control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A win over a Chargers team expected to sit starters seals it.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would hand the #1 ranking to New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a win and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More importantly, 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)
