Week 18 NFL Playoff Scenarios: How Teams Can Clinch a Postseason Berth

This is it. Week 18 of the NFL regular season.

For 18 teams, the dream is over. In some cases, so is the nightmare.

But for the other 14, a new season begins. A few wins strung together in January, and the Super Bowl goes from fantasy to reality.

Still, much work must be done. Only nine postseason berths have been clinched, meaning five remain available, including four division titles up for grabs.

Below, we lay out what’s on the line in all 16 matchups across the league, and how teams can move up, move down or flat-out make the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9–7) vs. Baltimore Ravens (13–3)

The skinny: Pittsburgh must win and get help on Sunday

Let’s start with the simple stuff. This game means nothing for Baltimore, which is locked into the AFC’s top seed.

However, the Steelers can make the playoffs with a win or loss on Saturday. With a victory, Pittsburgh will be at least the No. 7 seed. They can move up to the sixth seed if their win is paired with the Buffalo Bills losing to the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars losing to the Tennessee Titans.

With a loss, Pittsburgh would need losses by the Jaguars and Las Vegas Raiders, who host the Denver Broncos. In that scenario, the Steelers are also the No. 7 seed.

Houston Texans (9–7) vs. Indianapolis Colts (9–7)

The skinny: Win and in

Essentially, we’re getting a playoff game in Week 18. Whoever wins is guaranteed a playoff spot, while the loser is out.

If the Jaguars lose, then the winner of this game takes the AFC South crown and the No. 4 seed. If the Jaguars win and the Bills lose, then whoever wins Saturday night would be the sixth seed. If Jacksonville and Buffalo both win, this game’s winner is the No. 7 seed.

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Cleveland Browns (11–5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (8–8)

The skinny: Rest for Cleveland, draft positioning for Cincinnati

The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed and will face the AFC South winner.

As for Cincinnati, the Bengals currently have the 16th pick in the 2024 NFL draft. They’re eliminated from playoff contention, but draft position could move up or back based on the result.

Minnesota Vikings (7–9) vs. Detroit Lions (11–5)

The skinny: Playoff implications for both NFC North foes

The Lions are currently the No. 3 seed, with the NFC North wrapped up. They can become the second seed with a win and losses by both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.

As for Minnesota, the path is tough. The Vikings must win and get losses from the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, plus a loss from either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints.

Jacksonville Jaguars (9–7) vs. Tennessee Titans (5–11)

The skinny: AFC South crown is on the line.

If Jacksonville wins, the Jaguars win the AFC South and are the AFC’s fourth seed. With a loss, they’re out of the playoffs.

Tennessee currently has the No. 7 pick in the draft, and could move into the top five with a loss and some other favorable results.

New York Jets (6–10) vs. New England Patriots (4–12)

The skinny: Draft position and pride

The Patriots are slated to pick third in the draft, while the Jets slot in eighth. If New England loses and the Washington Commanders win, the Patriots will pick second.

Atlanta Falcons (7–9) vs. New Orleans Saints (8–8)

The skinny: Playoff hopes for both

The loser of this game is eliminated from playoff contention. However, the winner earns the NFC South crown should the Carolina Panthers upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is the only path for Atlanta.

For a wild-card berth, New Orleans must win and needs losses by the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8–8) vs. Carolina Panthers (2–14)

The skinny: NFC South title

The Buccaneers will win the NFC South with a victory in Charlotte over the Panthers. A loss, and Tampa Bay is out.

Carolina doesn’t have its first-round pick, as it belongs to the Bears.

Chicago Bears (7–9) vs. Green Bay Packers (8–8)

The skinny: Oldest NFL rivalry determines playoff berth.

If the Packers win, they’re in the postseason. If the Los Angeles Rams also lose, Green Bay is the sixth seed. Otherwise, the Packers are the seventh seed.

The Bears can’t make the playoffs, and currently pick first (via Carolina) and 10th.

Denver Broncos (8–8) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (7–9)

The skinny: No playoff implications

The Broncos are picking 14th in the first round, while the Raiders are 11th. Obviously, the result Sunday could alter their respective draft positions.

Philadelphia Eagles (11–5) vs. New York Giants (5–11)

The skinny: NFC East up for grabs (maybe).

The Eagles need to beat the Giants at MetLife Stadium and see the Cowboys lose to the Washington Commanders. Otherwise, Philadelphia will be the fifth seed and visit the NFC South champion in the wild-card round.

As for New York, the Giants are slated to pick fifth in the draft going into this game.

Seattle Seahawks (8–8) vs. Arizona Cardinals (4–12)

The skinny: Seattle’s playoff lives and Arizona’s draft pick

The Seahawks are still alive for the postseason but they need help. Seattle must beat the Cardinals and needs the Packers to lose to the Bears.

Arizona is currently picking fourth behind the Bears, Commanders and Patriots.

Kansas City Chiefs (10–6) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (5–11)

The skinny: Nothing but pride and picks

The Chiefs are locked into the AFC’s third seed and will rest their starters. Los Angeles is sitting sixth in draft position, and could move depending on its own and other results.

Los Angeles Rams (9–7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (12–4)

The skinny: A little seeding and nothing else

The 49ers are locked into the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Rams have clinched a wild-card berth; they will be the sixth seed if they win or if the Packers lose. If Los Angeles loses and Green Bay wins, the Rams are the No. 7 seed.

Dallas Cowboys (11–5) vs. Washington Commanders (4–12)

The skinny: NFC East and major draft implications

The Cowboys win the NFC East and get the No. 2 seed with a win over Washington or an Eagles loss to the Giants. If Dallas loses and Philadelphia wins, the Cowboys are the fifth seed.

As for Washington, a loss guarantees the second pick in the draft, giving it a chance at either USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

Buffalo Bills (10–6) vs. Miami Dolphins (11–5)

The skinny: AFC East and potentially a playoff berth

This game is fascinating. If the Dolphins win, they’re the AFC’s second seed and the AFC East champs. If Miami loses, it’s the No. 6 seed and will be visiting the Chiefs in the wild-card round.

As for the Bills, they also clinch the second seed and the division title with a victory. However, if Buffalo loses, it’s out of the playoffs should the Steelers and Jaguars win.

If the Bills lose and either the Steelers or Jaguars lose, too, Buffalo is the No. 7 seed. It becomes the sixth seed with a loss, along with losses by both Pittsburgh and Jacksonville. 

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