NFL Week 18 Playoff Scenarios: Division Titles and Seedings Up for Grabs
Week 18 will determine the AFC North and NFC South division titles, with only two playoff spots remaining, one in each conference.
Several teams are locked in for the January playoffs: in the AFC, the Broncos, Patriots, Jaguars, Texans, Chargers, and Bills; in the NFC, the Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, 49ers, Rams, and Packers.
In the AFC, the Broncos (13-3) can clinch the No. 1 seed, home field advantage, and a first-round bye by defeating the Chargers. If the Broncos do not win, they would need losses by the Patriots and Jaguars, or a Broncos tie combined with a Patriots loss or tie, to clinch the top seed.
The Patriots (13-3) remain in contention for the No. 1 seed if the Broncos lose.
The Jaguars (12-4) can secure the No. 1 seed and the AFC South by winning their game and with the Broncos and Patriots losing. They will also win the division if they win or if the Texans lose.
The Texans (11-5) can win the AFC South with a victory paired with a Jacksonville loss. They hold the No. 5 seed and would face the AFC North winner in the Wild Card Round.
The Steelers (9-7) must defeat the Ravens (8-8) at home to keep their playoff hopes alive. Their exact No. 4 seed will depend on other results.
In the NFC, the 49ers (12-4) versus Seahawks (13-3) game is the marquee matchup for the No. 1 seed. A win for the 49ers would grant them the top seed through tiebreakers, while Seattle currently leads by one game.
For the No. 4 seed in the NFC, the Panthers (8-8) face the Buccaneers (7-9). The winner claims this playoff spot, with the Buccaneers holding a tiebreak advantage in some scenarios.
