NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Outcomes for the Season Finale.
Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, far more is on the line, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in each conference and several divisional crowns.
The schedule makers have crafted a dramatic finale, with the final two play-off positions on the line in two direct head-to-head contests.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
AFC Standings
- Denver Broncos (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston Texans (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will secure the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.
Houston need a win coupled with a Jacksonville loss to jump from the fifth seed to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a setback could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (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 Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, granting them the fourth seed. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the division even with a defeat, contingent on other results.
Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The highlight, however, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a week off and home-field advantage on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in both the AFC and NFC earns a valuable first-round bye and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs.
During the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
In the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds join the fray, facing the weakest surviving team. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, highlighting the immense importance of earning that #1 ranking.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the regular season. The divisional title and a postseason spot on the line, this is a true elimination situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may miss key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's signal-caller Lamar Jackson is questionable with a back injury.
Running back the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is at stake when Seattle travels to the 49ers. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This matchup pits an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seattle defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, San Francisco have been the league's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' unit is rated second best in the NFL.
Seattle QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. The team that wins this clash earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this contest with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to clinch the title.
For Carolina it's simple: win and they're in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they need help from the Falcons-Saints matchup to claim the division crown.
Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
The Denver Broncos hold the cards 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 combined with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
Jacksonville are the dark horse. They require a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an improbable rise to the top. More importantly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken 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)
