NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is on the line, including the coveted top seeds in both conferences and four divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have produced a perfect ending, with the two remaining postseason places to be decided in two direct head-to-head contests.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will secure the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams.
The Texans require a victory and a Jacksonville defeat to jump from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will earn the top seed with a win, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, granting them the fourth seed. However, Carolina could still win the division even with a loss, contingent on other results.
Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in each conference receives a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs.
During the Wild Card round, the other six qualified teams compete: the second seed hosts the seventh, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds join the fray, hosting the lowest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the critical importance of earning that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce rivalry reaches its climax in the final game of the regular season. The divisional title and a play-off berth on the line, this is a genuine elimination situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while the Ravens started poorly but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss key target DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' quarterback their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue.
Running back Derrick Henry could be the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a physical, 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 NFC's top seed and the path to the championship game that comes with it.
This matchup pits an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seattle defense. Since quarterback their young passer came back, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is ranked among the best in the league.
Seattle QB their passer needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. Whoever comes out on top earns a huge 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 game with much momentum. Tampa Bay have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to clinch the division.
The Panthers it's straightforward: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is more complex. Even with a win, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to steal the division crown.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)
Denver hold the cards for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.
If the Broncos lose, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Broncos loss would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
Jacksonville are the long shot. They need a triumph and losses by both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the Houston 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)
