NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week.
As we head into the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths remain open. However, a great deal more is on the line, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in both conferences and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining postseason places on the line in two direct head-to-head matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will claim the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard teams.
The Texans require a victory coupled with a Jaguars loss to jump from the fifth seed to third. The Broncos will secure the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or Jacksonville to claim it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the #4 position. Notably, the Panthers could still claim the divisional title even with a loss, depending on other results.
The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, however, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a week off and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a crucial first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
On Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six qualified teams face off: the #2 team plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
For the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the fray, facing the weakest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the best remaining team, highlighting the critical importance of securing that #1 ranking.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)
This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine elimination scenario.
The Steelers have been up and down this season, while the Ravens started poorly but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver their top wideout, while Baltimore's signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue.
Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.
Battle for #1 in the NFC
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
More than just the division title is on the line when the Seahawks travels to the 49ers. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that comes with it.
This game features an high-powered 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's highest scorers. On the other hand, the Seahawks' defense is rated second best in the NFL.
Seattle QB Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this year. The team that comes out on top earns a huge advantage for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this game with strong form. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have squandered recent opportunities to clinch the division.
For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup to steal the division crown.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (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 #1 AFC spot. A win over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest key players seals it.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the New England Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the Houston 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)
