How NFL contenders can win AFC East, AFC South, NFC East, NFC South

As we enter the final week of the NFL season, division titles remain up for grabs in the AFC East, AFC South, NFC East and NFC South.

The Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have already earned their playoff berths, so a division title would bolster their standings and give them a home game in the first round.

The Dolphins and Buffalo Bills are the only teams competing for the division title, and for some of the seven teams trying to punch a playoff ticket, their only chance is to come out on top of their division. For others, all they need is a win this weekend, while a few teams need a win and a little help to get there.

Here's how each division battle plays out heading into Week 18:

AFC East

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Stephen A.: I lost all confidence in the Dolphins

Stephen A. Smith explains why he's “disgusted” by the Dolphins' performance in their blowout loss to the Ravens.

Buffalo Bills (10-6) and Miami Dolphins (11-5)

Remaining part: Bills at Dolphins (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)

Bills' chances of winning the division: 54%
Bills' chances of making the playoffs: 93%

Dolphins' chances of winning the division: 46%
Dolphins' chances of making the playoffs: 100%

The Dolphins have already secured a playoff spot, but they will finish atop the division with a win or tie against the Bills.

The Bills clinch the division with a win on Sunday, but things could get tricky if they lose. A tie would put them in the playoffs, as would a Pittsburgh Steelers or Jacksonville Jaguars loss or tie, or a tie in the Texans-Colts game. But the Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens, who have clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed and plan to rest their favorite MVP quarterback, Lamar Jackson, in the season finale, and the Jags face the Tennessee Titans (5-11). team they beat 34-14 in Week 11 and is already eliminated from the playoffs. — Marcel Louis-Jacques and Alaina Getzenberg

AFC South

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Why Marcus Spears is intrigued by the AFC South race

Marcus Spears expresses his excitement to see how the AFC South race between the Jaguars, Colts and Texans plays out this weekend.

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)

Remaining game: at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Odds of winning the division: 69.4%
Odds of making the playoffs: 82.7%

What scenario should it happen win the division? It's pretty simple for the Jaguars: Beat the Titans and they'll win back-to-back division titles for only the second time in franchise history. The only other time this happened was in 1998 and 1999, when the team played in the AFC Central. A tie with the Titans and a tie between the Colts and Texans would also seal it.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? Yes, even if the Jaguars lose to the Titans, but they will need help. Denver is expected to lose in Las Vegas, Pittsburgh is expected to lose in Baltimore and the Houston-Indianapolis game is not expected to end in a draw. -Michael DiRocco

Indianapolis Colts (9-7)

Remaining part: vs. Houston Texans (8:15 p.m. ET, Saturday)
Odds of winning the division: 15.9%
Odds of making the playoffs: 51.7%

What scenario should it happen win the division? The Colts still have an outside chance of winning their first AFC South title since 2014, but they'll have to beat the Texans and hope for a Jaguars loss or a tie against the Titans.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? Indianapolis would still get a wild card spot by beating the Texans. The Colts can also advance with a tie against the Texans and a Steelers loss or tie against the Ravens. The Colts beat the Texans 31-20 in their first meeting of Week 2. –Stephen Holder

Houston Texans (9-7)

Remaining part: at Indianapolis Colts (8:15 p.m. ET, Saturday)
Odds of winning the division: 14.7%
Odds of making the playoffs: 48.4%

What scenario should it happen win the division? Like the Colts, the Texans would need the Titans to defeat or tie the Jags, and Houston would need to win the season finale in Indy. If both the Jaguars and Texans win, the Jaguars would have the better individual record, giving them the tiebreaker against the Texans.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? Yes. Just win and the Texans are in. With their game on Saturday, they'll have to wait until Sunday to find out if they'll be on the road or host a playoff game if they win, but in the event of a tie, things are looking good. It's not so clear. In this case, Houston would need Jacksonville to lose and Pittsburgh to lose or tie. — DJ Bien-Aimé

NFC East

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What happened to the Philadelphia Eagles?

Tim Hasselbeck explains why the Philadelphia Eagles have lost four of their last five games and how they will fare on the road in the playoffs.

Dallas Cowboys (11-5)

Remaining part: at Washington Commanders (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Odds of winning the division: 87.3%
Odds of making the playoffs: 100%

What scenario should it happen win the division? The Cowboys, also fighting for the No. 2 seed, will win the division by beating the Commanders or if the Eagles lose to the Giants. The Cowboys would also win if they and the Eagles tied.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? The Cowboys have been guaranteed at least one wild-card spot since Week 15. -Todd Archer

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

Remaining part: has New York Giants (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Odds of winning the division: 12.7%
Odds of making the playoffs: 100%

What scenario should it happen win the division? After a hot start, the Eagles no longer control their own destiny toward the division crown after losing four of their last five. They have to beat the Giants and the Cowboys have to lose or tie. If the Eagles and Giants were tied, the Eagles would need the Cowboys to lose.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? Like the Cowboys, Philly clinched a playoff spot in Week 15. The most likely scenario is that the Eagles end up as the No. 5 seed and hit the road to play the winner of the NFC South in first round. -Tim McManus

NFC South

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Why Baker Mayfield is a Top 10 Fantasy QB in Week 18

Eric Karabell explains why fantasy managers can count on Baker Mayfield in Week 18 against the Panthers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)

Remaining game: at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Odds of winning the division: 72.3%
Odds of making the playoffs: 72.3%

What scenario should it happen win the division? If the Bucs beat the Panthers (2-14), then they win the division. If they were to tie, then they would need a Saints loss or a tie in their game with the Falcons. If the Bucs lose, they won't be able to win the division.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? The answer is yes, but the chances are low. The only path to a wild card spot for the Bucs would be if they tied, if the Saints won, the Seattle Seahawks lost and the Green Bay Packers lost or tied. –Jenna Laine

New Orleans Saints (8-8)

Remaining part: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET Sunday)
Odds of winning the division: 16.7%
Odds of making the playoffs: 23.8%

What scenario should it happen win the division? To win the NFC South, the Saints must beat or tie the Falcons and a Buccaneers loss to the Panthers. The Saints can also tie the Falcons with a loss in Tampa. That would give New Orleans the No. 4 seed and a home game in the first round.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? Yes, but it wouldn't be easy. The Saints can secure the final wild card spot with a win and a Seahawks loss or tie with the Cardinals and a Packers loss or tie with the Bears. A tie with the Falcons could also put the Saints in with a Seahawks loss and a Packers loss. They won't make the playoffs if they lose to the Falcons.-Katherine Terrell

Atlanta Falcons (7-9)

Remaining game: at Saints (1 p.m. ET Sunday)
Odds of winning the division: 11%
Odds of making the playoffs: 11%

What scenario should it happen win the division? The Falcons only have one way to make the playoffs: beat the Saints and hope the Panthers upset the Buccaneers. This would create a three-way tie at 8-9, and the Falcons would win the NFC South on a tiebreaker.

Can this team still make the playoffs as a wild-card team? No, last Sunday's loss to Chicago ended the Falcons' wild card chances while ensuring Atlanta will finish below .500 for the sixth straight season. -Michael Rothstein