NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Final Week.
As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, just two postseason berths remain open. However, a great deal more is on the line, including the coveted top seeds in each conference and four division titles.
NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the final two play-off positions on the line in two direct winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
American Football Conference Rankings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England Patriots (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- L.A. Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will secure the fourth seed and a home game in the wildcard round. At the same time, the Bills and Los Angeles are set as wildcard teams.
Houston need a win and a Jacksonville defeat to jump from fifth to third. Denver will earn the top seed with a triumph, but a loss could pave the way for New England or Jacksonville to snatch it.
National Football Conference Rankings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- L.A. Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay (9-6)
The South division will be claimed by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the #4 position. However, Carolina could still win the division even with a defeat, depending on other results.
The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The #1 team in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable first-round bye and home games throughout the play-offs.
On Wildcard Weekend, the other six qualified teams face off: the #2 team plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.
For the Divisional Round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then hosted by the highest seed, underscoring the immense importance of earning that top spot.
Win or Go Home in the AFC North
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce grudge match reaches its climax in the last contest of the regular season. The divisional title and a play-off berth at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home scenario.
The Steelers have been inconsistent this season, while the Ravens started poorly but are still in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss key target their top wideout, while Baltimore's signal-caller Lamar Jackson is questionable with a back injury.
Running back Derrick Henry could be the difference-maker for the Ravens in what promises to be a physical, defensive battle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the division title is on the line when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The victorious team claims the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that comes with it.
This game pits an explosive 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. With QB their young passer came back, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's defense is rated second best in the NFL.
The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this season. Whoever wins this clash gains a huge edge for the playoff run.
NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Both clubs comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while the Panthers have missed chances to clinch the title.
For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is more complex. Even with a victory, they require another result from the Falcons-Saints matchup 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)
Denver control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team likely to rest key players seals it.
Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Broncos loss would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a win and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could see them passed by the 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)
