NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Final Week.
As we head into the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots remain open. Yet, a great deal more is on the line, such as the coveted top seeds in each conference and several divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a perfect ending, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in a pair of head-to-head contests.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.
Houston need a victory and a Jacksonville loss to jump from the fifth seed to third. The Broncos will earn the top seed with a win, but a loss could pave the way for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it.
NFC Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The South division is up for grabs by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, earning them the #4 position. Notably, the Panthers could still win the divisional title even with a defeat, contingent on other outcomes.
The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance.
Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format
The #1 team in both the AFC and NFC receives a crucial bye week and home games throughout the postseason.
On the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.
In the second round, the top seeds join the fray, hosting the weakest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the critical value of securing that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce grudge match reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. The divisional title and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine elimination situation.
The Steelers have been inconsistent this season, while the Ravens started poorly but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may be without key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue.
Running back the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive struggle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This game features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. With QB their young passer came back, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's unit is ranked second best in the league.
The Seahawks' QB their passer needs to cut down on mistakes that have plagued him this year. The team that wins this clash gains a huge edge for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this game with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the division.
The Panthers it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is more complex. Even with a win, they require 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)
The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. 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 Patriots win coupled with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a win and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an unlikely ascent to #1. More pressingly, 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)