NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Final Week.
Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, just two play-off spots remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the highly desired top seeds in each conference and several divisional crowns.
NFL schedulers have produced a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places on the line in a pair of winner-take-all matchups.
Current NFL Play-Off Standings
AFC Standings
- Denver (13-3)
- New England (13-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
- Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
- Houston (11-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams.
Houston need a victory coupled with a Jaguars defeat to jump from the fifth seed to third. The Broncos will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a setback could open the door for New England or Jacksonville to snatch it.
NFC Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6)
The NFC South 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 defeat, depending on other outcomes.
The Packers are locked into the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, however, is the battle for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home playoff games hanging in the balance.
How the NFL Postseason Works
The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable bye week and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.
On the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the second seed hosts the seventh, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.
For the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the competition, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC title games are then played at the highest seed, highlighting the critical value of earning that top spot.
AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
This fierce rivalry reaches its climax in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a genuine win-or-go-home scenario.
The Steelers have been inconsistent this season, while the Ravens started poorly but remain in contention. Key injuries may prove critical: Pittsburgh may be without key target their top wideout, while the Ravens' signal-caller Lamar Jackson is a doubt with a health issue.
Running back the powerful back could be the x-factor for Baltimore in what is set up as a hard-hitting, low-scoring struggle.
NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)
Not only the NFC West is on the line when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The winner secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that it provides.
This game features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a dominant Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. Conversely, Seattle's defense is rated among the best in the league.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a massive edge for the postseason journey.
The NFC South's Uncertain Finish
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)
Neither team comes into this contest with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to secure the title.
The Panthers it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they require another result from the Falcons-Saints game to claim the division crown.
AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)
Denver hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit key players gets it done.
Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Broncos loss would give the top seed to New England.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken by the 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)
