NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week.
Entering the last weekend of the NFL regular season, just two postseason berths remain open. However, a great deal more is on the line, such as the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and four divisional crowns.
NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic finale, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in a pair of head-to-head contests.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will claim the #4 spot and a home game in the first playoff round. At the same time, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.
Houston need a victory and a Jacksonville defeat to jump from fifth to the third seed. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could open the door for the Patriots or the Jaguars to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The NFC South will be claimed by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, earning them the #4 position. Notably, Carolina could still claim the division even with a loss, contingent on other outcomes.
Green Bay are locked into the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games on the line.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a crucial bye week and home games for the duration of the postseason.
During the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams face off: the #2 team plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.
For the second round, the #1 seeds join the fray, facing the lowest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then hosted by the highest seed, underscoring the critical importance of securing that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter grudge match comes to a head in the last contest of the NFL season. The divisional title and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.
Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in contention. Player availability may prove critical: Pittsburgh may be without key target their top wideout, while the Ravens' quarterback their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for the Ravens in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive battle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is on the line when Seattle travels to San Francisco. The winner claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This game features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a dominant Seattle defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. On the other hand, Seattle's unit is ranked among the best in the NFL.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have haunted him this year. The team that wins this clash earns a massive advantage for the postseason journey.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team enters this game with strong form. Tampa Bay have lost seven of eight, while Carolina have missed recent opportunities to secure the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is more complex. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints game to steal 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 control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a Chargers team expected to sit starters seals it.
If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat 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)
