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Clinching scenarios for Week 18

The picture for the NFL playoffs is still taking shape in Week 18.

The AFC and NFC each have one playoff berth heading into the final week of the regular season, with three division titles and playoff seeding still to be decided.

Here's a look at the NFL playoff scenarios heading into Week 18.

A.F.C.

kansas city chiefs

The Chiefs, aiming for the first three-peat in Super Bowl championship history, have already secured the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.

buffalo bills

The Bills defeated the Jets at home on Sunday to earn the No. 2 seed and will be the No. 7 seed in the Wild Card round. If they win, they will return home again in the divisional round.

baltimore ravens

The Ravens, who currently hold the No. 3 seed, need a win or tie against the Browns on Saturday (4:30 p.m.) to win the AFC North and an accompanying home playoff game. If they lose, the Steelers could face the Bengals on Saturday night (8 p.m.).

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will be running for the game against the Texans on December 25, 2024. Images of Thomas Shea-Iman

houston texans

The Texans have already won the AFC South, clinching the fourth seed with a 9-7 record. The Wild Card Round will host the No. 5 seed, which could be the Steelers, Ravens or Chargers.

pittsburgh steelers

The Steelers currently hold the No. 5 seed with a 10-6 record and won the tiebreaker after defeating the Chargers in Week 3. If the Ravens beat the Browns and the Steelers beat the Bengals, Pittsburgh will win the AFC championship. Jump north and rise to third place. If the Steelers lose or tie, they could fall to sixth place if the Chargers win.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers, who are already in the playoffs, will be in the wild card round. The question is whether they can move up to fifth place and take on the Texans, or stay in sixth place and head to the AFC North winner. Los Angeles travels to Las Vegas on Sunday for a 4:25 p.m. kickoff and would clinch the No. 5 seed with a win and a loss or tie for the Steelers.

denver broncos

They could have clinched a playoff spot Saturday, but lost in overtime to the Bengals. They now have to face the Chiefs at home on Sunday at 4:25 p.m., but since the Chiefs have already secured the No. 1 seed, it is reported that they will rest their key players. If they win or tie, the Broncos will qualify. The Broncos can still qualify even if the Bengals lose or tie and the Dolphins lose or tie.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws a pass during a game against the Bengals on Dec. 28, 2024. Getty Images

miami dolphins

The Dolphins stayed alive with a win over the Browns in Week 17 despite being without Tua Tagovailoa, who was sidelined with a hip injury. His status for Sunday's road game against the Jets at 4:25 p.m. is unknown. Miami needs a win along with a loss to the Broncos to make the playoffs.

cincinnati bengals

It was hard to believe that the talented Bengals were 4-8 and already looking dead in the water. But Cincinnati, which won four straight games thanks to MVP-level performances from Joe Burrow, is still alive going into Week 18, although it needs some help. They first need to beat a Steelers team that still has a division title left, then the Broncos need to lose and the Dolphins need to lose or tie to qualify. The Bills are probably hoping Cincy's season ends next weekend.

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow scrambles during a win over the Broncos on Dec. 28, 2024. Getty Images

NFC

minnesota vikings

Sam Darnold continued to write an unreal season in Minnesota, with the former Jet's draft bust leading the Vikings to their 14th win on Sunday. The Vikings have now jumped up to the No. 1 seed ahead of the Lions' Week 17 game against the 49ers on Monday night. But regardless of Monday's outcome, the NFC North and No. 1 seed will be at stake on Sunday night when the Lions host the Vikings. The loser becomes the 5th seed.

philadelphia eagles

The NFC East champions defeated the Cowboys on Sunday, clinching the No. 2 seed. They will host either the Packers or the Commanders in the wild card round.

Sam Darnold celebrates during the Vikings' win over the Packers on Dec. 30, 2024. Getty Images

Los Angeles Rams

The Commanders' victory on Sunday night clinched the Rams' place in the NFC West and secured a game in the Wild Card round. However, Los Angeles has not yet been confirmed as the No. 3 seed. If they lose to the Seahawks on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. and the Buccaneers beat the Saints at 1 p.m., Los Angeles will drop to the No. 4 seed.

tampa bay buccaneers

After losing to Cooper Rush's Cowboys in Week 16 and ceding control of the NFC South to the Falcons, the Bucks were back in the driver's seat with a win over the Panthers and Atlanta's overtime loss to the Commanders. . A win or tie against the Saints, and a loss or tie for the Falcons against the Panthers, will clinch the Tampa Bay division. If the results don't change, the Bucks will be eliminated from the playoffs.

detroit lions

Detroit, which has led the NFC for most of the season, must end the rival Vikings' nine-game winning streak on Sunday night to earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage. If they lose, they will drop to the fifth seed and be forced to play in the wild card round.

Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield attempts a pass during a game against the Panthers on Dec. 29, 2024. USA TODAY Sports (via Reuters Con)

commander of washington

Jaden Daniels' touchdown pass to Zach Ertz in overtime against the Falcons clinched a playoff berth for the Commanders. Thanks to the tiebreaker with the Packers, Washington clinched the No. 6 seed with an 11-5 record. If he wins against the Cowboys on Sunday (1 p.m.), he will secure the No. 6 spot in the coaching staff.

green bay packers

The Packers, who clinched a playoff berth, lost to the Vikings on Sunday, falling to 11-5 and currently being the No. 7 seed. Green Bay hosts the Bears next Sunday (1 p.m.) and will need the Commanders to go 1-1 to move into sixth place. If not, they will face the Eagles in the wild card round.

atlanta falcons

The Falcons lost to the Commanders in overtime, losing control of their own destiny. They need to beat the Panthers on Sunday to win the NFC South and earn the No. 4 seed, but the Buccaneers also need to lose to the Saints.

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