NFL playoff overview: Current bracket updates for the 2026 postseason in Week 18

NFL Regular Season Finale Approaches

The last weekend of the 2025-26 NFL regular season is upon us, and attention is shifting to the playoff picture. With two playoff spots still up for grabs, many teams are working to finalize their standings. As we head into Week 18, the Green Bay Packers are the current holders of the No. 7 seed in the NFC.

This weekend’s schedule includes two games on Saturday, with the rest following on Sunday. The action starts on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take on the Carolina Panthers. Later, on Sunday night, fans can look forward to the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. In both contests, only one team will secure the No. 4 seed in their respective conferences, while the other will be knocked out of playoff contention.

By Saturday’s end, we’ll know the NFC’s No. 1 and No. 4 seeds, and the remaining playoff positions will be settled by the time Sunday wraps up.

The No. 1 seed not only gets a bye for the first round but also enjoys home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The other six teams from each conference will compete in the wild card round next week.

To clinch the No. 1 seed, the Denver Broncos must win, but the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars also need victories to keep their playoff hopes alive. The outcomes will help determine the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds as well. Based on the Sunday night game, either the Steelers or Ravens will secure the No. 4 seed. Additionally, there are still three wild card spots to be decided. The Bills and Chargers have already locked in their wild card positions, while the Texans may still snag a wild card or even a division title by Sunday afternoon.

The current AFC playoff setup is as follows:

1. Denver Broncos (13-3)**

2. New England Patriots (13-3)* Host 7. Buffalo Bills (11-5)*

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)* Host 6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)*

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) Host 5. Houston Texans (11-5)*

On Saturday night, the clash between the Seahawks and 49ers will decide the NFC’s top seed. The Bears and Eagles are positioned for the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, contingent upon Sunday’s games. The outcome of the Panthers versus Buccaneers game will determine the No. 4 seed. The teams that don’t win in the Rams versus Seahawks or 49ers matches will fill the No. 5 and No. 6 spots, depending on the results. Meanwhile, the Packers are already secured at the No. 7 seed.

Currently, the NFC playoff bracket stands at:

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)*

2. Chicago Bears (11-5)** Host 7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)*

3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)** Host 6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)*

4. Carolina Panthers (8-8) Host 5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*

*: Qualified for playoffs
**: Won the division title
***: 1 determined No. seed

Updates will follow as more results from Week 18 come in.