NFL Week 18 playoff picture: Clinching scenarios, standings،
There's only one week left in the NFL regular season and the playoff picture is taking shape.
Nine teams have clinched a playoff spot, 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 held out. This means five additional spots are up for grabs in Week 18. The playoffs begin on January 13.
There are four AFC teams at 9-7, including a three-way tie atop the South. In the NFC, there are four teams in playoff contention at 8-8 – but there are two other teams on the outside looking in at 7-9.
Here's the Week 18 playoff picture, along with the deciding storylines for the weekend:
More coverage:
Projection of final sowing
FPI ratings for each team
Draft decree projected for 2024
NFL playoff games as things stand
AFC
NFC
AFC Week 18 playoff-deciding scenarios
The game : at Indianapolis Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
What's at stake: Houston wins the AFC South title with a win OR a loss or a tie in Jacksonville.
How the Texans can clinch a playoff spot:
The game : vs. Houston Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
What's at stake: Indianapolis wins the AFC South title with a win plus a loss or a tie in Jacksonville OR a tie in Indianapolis plus a loss in Jacksonville
How the Colts can clinch a playoff spot:
The game : at Baltimore Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
How the Steelers can clinch a playoff spot:
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Pittsburgh victory and Buffalo OU defeat
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Pittsburgh win plus Jacksonville OU loss or draw
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Pittsburgh victory and Houston-Indianapolis tie OR
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Pittsburgh draw plus Jacksonville loss plus Houston-Indianapolis does not end in a draw OR
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Jacksonville's loss, Denver's victory and Houston-Indianapolis do not end in a tie
The game : vs. Buffalo Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
What's at stake: Miami will win the AFC East title with a win or a tie.
The game : in Miami 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 spot:
The game : at Tennessee Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What's at stake: Jacksonville will win the AFC South title with a win OR a tie plus an Indianapolis-Houston tie.
How the Jags can clinch a playoff spot:
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Decisive scenarios for the Week 18 NFC playoffs
The game : in Washington Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
What's at stake: Dallas will win the NFC East title with a win OR a tie plus a Philadelphia tie OR a Philadelphia loss.
The game : at Carolina Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
What's at stake: Tampa Bay will win the NFC South title with a win OR tie plus a loss or tie at New Orleans.
How the Bucs can clinch a playoff spot:
The game : in New Orleans Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What's at stake: Atlanta will clinch the NFC South title with a win and a loss at Tampa Bay.
The game : vs. Atlanta Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What's at stake: New Orleans will win the NFC South title with a win plus a loss or a tie at Tampa Bay OR a tie plus a loss at Tampa Bay.
How the Saints can clinch a playoff spot:
The game : at the Giants Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
What's at stake: Philadelphia will win the NFC East title with a win plus a loss or a tie in Dallas OR a tie plus a loss in Dallas.
The game : in Arizona Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Seahawks can clinch a playoff spot:
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Seattle win plus Green Bay OR lose or draw
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Draw in Seattle plus loss in Green Bay plus loss or draw in Tampa Bay OR
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Draw in Seattle plus loss in Green Bay plus loss or draw in New Orleans
The game : vs. Chicago Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Packers can clinch a playoff spot:
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Green Bay wins OR
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Green Bay tie plus Seattle loss or tie plus New Orleans loss or tie OR
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Draw in Green Bay plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR
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Draw in Green Bay plus draw in Seattle plus loss or draw in Tampa Bay OR
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Minnesota loss or draw plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR
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Minnesota loss or draw plus Seattle loss plus New Orleans loss
The game : in Detroit Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Vikings can clinch a playoff spot:
