As Week 18 approaches, 12 of the 14 playoff berths have already been clinched — six in the AFC and six in the NFC — leaving just one open spot in each conference. Both of those final tickets will be decided this weekend in pivotal games.
🤯 AFC Playoff Landscape
📍 Locked In
Denver Broncos (13-3) — Already clinched the AFC West and currently hold the top seed. They control their destiny for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. New England Patriots (13-3) — Locked into the postseason and AFC East champs. Still alive for the No. 1 seed depending on results. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) — Clinched a playoff spot; No. 1 seed still mathematically possible with help. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) — In the playoffs; have chosen to rest QB Justin Herbert in Week 18 as they prepare for the postseason. Buffalo Bills (11-5) — Wild-card team locked in. Houston Texans (11-5) — Clinched a playoff berth; still in the AFC South race.
🏆 Race to Watch: AFC North & No. 1 Seed
AFC North: Steelers (9-7) and Ravens (8-8) meet in a winner-takes-all Week 18 matchup — the winner grabs the division title and a playoff spot; the loser is eliminated. No. 1 Seed: Denver, New England and Jacksonville enter Week 18 still alive for the top seed. Broncos are favorites, but Patriots or Jaguars could slip in with the right combination of wins and losses.
🧩 NFC Playoff Picture
📍 Locked In
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) — Lead the NFC and NFC West; a win in Week 18 likely locks up the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) — Clinched a playoff spot and can steal the top seed with a win over Seattle. Chicago Bears (11-5) — NFC North champs and locked into at least the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) — NFC East champs and locked into a high seed. Los Angeles Rams (11-5) — Wild-card team; seeding could shift slightly based on Week 18. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) — Clinched the final NFC spot.
🔥 Final NFC Drama: South Crown on the Line
Carolina Panthers (8-8) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) in Week 18 is for the NFC South title and a playoff berth — a huge winner-gets-all showdown.
🎯 Key Week 18 Matchups to Watch
Here are the biggest games that will shape the playoff field:
Steelers vs. Ravens — AFC North, playoff berth and survival on the line. Panthers vs. Buccaneers — NFC South championship and postseason ticket. 49ers vs. Seahawks — NFC West and No. 1 seed implications. Broncos vs. Chargers & Patriots vs. Dolphins — Top seed jockeying in the AFC.
🧠 What This Means for the Playoffs
As it stands entering Week 18:
The AFC and NFC both have one open playoff spot each, and division crowns still up for grabs. A pair of winner-takes-all games will decide playoff fortunes, meaning a late-season sprint with huge stakes. Seeding battles for home-field advantage — especially in the AFC — remain unsettled.
