There is just one week remaining in the NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is taking shape.
Nine teams have clinched postseason berths, including five in the NFC: the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams. In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs are the teams that have clinched. That means five more spots are on the line in Week 18, as the playoffs begin Jan. 13.
There are four AFC teams at 9-7, including a three-way tie atop the South. In the NFC, there are teams in the current playoff field at 8-8 — but there are two more teams on the outside looking in at 7-9.
Here is the playoff picture for Week 18, along with the clinching scenarios for the weekend:
More coverage:
Projecting the final seeding
FPI ratings for every team
Projected 2024 draft order
NFL playoff matchups as things stand
AFC
NFC
Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios in the AFC
The matchup: at Indianapolis on Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
What’s at stake: Houston clinches the AFC South title with a win OR a Jacksonville loss or tie.
How the Texans can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: vs. Houston on Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
What’s at stake: Indianapolis clinches the AFC South title with a win plus a Jacksonville loss or tie OR a tie plus a Jacksonville loss.
How the Colts can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at Baltimore on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
How the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth:
-
Pittsburgh win + Buffalo loss OR
-
Pittsburgh win + Jacksonville loss or tie OR
-
Pittsburgh win + Houston-Indianapolis tie OR
-
Pittsburgh tie + Jacksonville loss + Houston-Indianapolis doesn’t end in tie OR
-
Jacksonville loss + Denver win + Houston-Indianapolis doesn’t end in tie
The matchup: vs. Buffalo on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
What’s at stake: Miami will clinch the AFC East title with a win or tie.
The matchup: at Miami on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
What’s at stake: Buffalo will clinch the AFC East title with a win.
How the Bills can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at Tennessee on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Jacksonville will clinch the AFC South title with a win OR a tie plus an Indianapolis-Houston tie.
How the Jags can clinch a playoff berth:
1:50
Stephen A. claims Cowboys’ winning record is due to ‘good luck’
Stephen A. Smith believes the reason the Cowboys are leading the NFC East over the Eagles is due to “good luck.”
Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios in the NFC
The matchup: at Washington on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
What’s at stake: Dallas will clinch the NFC East title with a win OR a tie plus a Philadelphia tie OR a Philadelphia loss.
The matchup: at Carolina on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
What’s at stake: Tampa Bay will clinch the NFC South title with a win OR a tie plus a New Orleans loss or tie.
How the Bucs can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at New Orleans on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Atlanta will clinch the NFC South title with a win plus a Tampa Bay loss.
The matchup: vs. Atlanta on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: New Orleans will clinch the NFC South title with a win plus a Tampa Bay loss or tie OR a tie plus a Tampa Bay loss.
How the Saints can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at Giants on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Philadelphia will clinch the NFC East title with a win plus a Dallas loss or tie OR a tie plus a Dallas loss.
The matchup: at Arizona on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth:
-
Seattle win + Green Bay loss or tie OR
-
Seattle tie + Green Bay loss + Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
-
Seattle tie + Green Bay loss + New Orleans loss or tie
The matchup: vs. Chicago on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth:
-
Green Bay win OR
-
Green Bay tie + Seattle loss or tie + New Orleans loss or tie OR
-
Green Bay tie + Seattle loss + Tampa Bay loss OR
-
Green Bay tie + Seattle tie + Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
-
Minnesota loss or tie + Seattle loss + Tampa Bay loss OR
-
Minnesota loss or tie + Seattle loss + New Orleans loss
The matchup: at Detroit on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Vikings can clinch a playoff berth: