The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us, and Week 18 is shaping up to be one for the ages.
Five playoff spots will be up for grabs in the final week (three in the AFC, two in the NFC), but the number of division winners has yet to be determined. We'll dig into the full list of playoff and elimination scenarios later this week, but for now, let's take a quick look at the eight teams that are “in control of their own destiny.”
These eight teams won't need any help achieving their goals next week, whether it's a division title or just going to the dance. If you win, the job is done. A total of 11 teams still survive to qualify for the playoffs, but these teams can go about their own business.
NFC
They can start on the NFC side, but there are two playoff spots remaining and some division winners still to be decided.
dallas cowboys
in commander of washington
Sunday, 4:25pm ET Fox
The Dallas Cowboys control their own destiny in the NFC East. Dallas has already clinched a playoff berth, but the division champion has not yet been decided. The Cowboys can clinch the NFC East title with a win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday afternoon.Dallas can clinch the East with a loss, but they have philadelphia eagles loss to new york giants In that situation.
tampa bay buccaneers
in carolina panthers
Sunday, 1pm ET Fox
NFC South teams are still trying despite losing to NFC South teams. new orleans saints In Week 17, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in control. Tampa Bay can clinch the division championship and a home playoff game with a victory over the Panthers.
A loss in this game opens the door for the Saints-Falcons winner to win the division.
green bay packers
versus chicago bears
Sunday, 4:25pm ET CBS
Green Bay won, minnesota vikings Sunday night and seattle seahawks'Loss to pittsburgh steelersthe Packers are currently on the inside track to the seventh and final playoff spot in the NFC.
That spot is theirs if they beat the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Green Bay has a chance to advance no matter what happens against Chicago with the right combination of losses, but the easiest path is to win.
A.F.C.
In the AFC, three playoff spots are yet to be decided, including the winners of the AFC East and AFC South divisions.
miami dolphins
versus buffalo bills
Sunday, 8:20pm ET NBC
A few weeks ago, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Miami Dolphins would win the AFC East. However, they have had some setbacks in recent weeks, culminating in a shocking home defeat. tennessee titans The problem looms large and a resurgent Buffalo Bills team is chasing them, but they still have work to do.
However, a win over Buffalo in the final game of the season would clinch the division championship for the Dolphins.However, losing opens the next scenario
buffalo bills
at the miami dolphins
Sunday, 8:20pm ET NBC
The Bills can still clinch the AFC East championship on their own. All they have to do is beat Miami in the final game of the regular season. It's worth noting that the Bills could already have clinched a playoff spot before kickoff, as Buffalo could lose to the Steelers on Saturday to the Ravens or the Jaguars could lose to the Titans on Sunday.
jacksonville jaguars
at the Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1pm ET CBS
With Sunday's win over the Carolina Panthers, the Jaguars remain in control of the AFC South. However, the work is not done yet. But with a win over the Titans on Sunday afternoon, Jacksonville will clinch the AFC South championship and advance to a home playoff game for the second straight year.
indianapolis colts
versus houston texans
Saturday, 8:15pm ET ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
houston texans
at the indianapolis colts
Saturday, 8:15pm ET ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
Since this is, in a sense, the first playoff game of the season, it felt right to list the two together.
The winner of this AFC South game on Saturday night qualifies for the playoffs and holds an outside shot at winning the division. If the Jaguars stumble in their final game of the season, the winner of this game will win the AFC South. But even if Jacksonville wins Sunday and wins the division, the winner of this game will advance to the playoffs.
