Week 18 is shaping up to be a monumental season for the NFL, starting with a big game in the AFC on Saturday and ending with a winner-take-all game on Sunday night. There's a lot of intrigue in between.
On Saturday, the Baltimore Ravens clinched the three-seed, pushing the Pittsburgh Steelers into a wild-card spot in the process. Much of the AFC playoff picture could be determined as early as Saturday night.
The most interesting game in the early afternoon Sunday will be the NFC South game, with a Buccaneers victory clinching the division title. The Atlanta Falcons are also in attendance.
Later in the afternoon, the Denver Broncos could clinch a playoff berth with a win, with seeding at stake for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Sunday night game is a huge showdown between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. The winner will be the 1 seed in the NFC and the loser will be the 5 seed.
Week 18 AFC Standings
1.z-kansas city chiefs (15-1) – Obtained 1st seed
2.y-buffalo bills (13-3) – Obtains 2nd seed
3. Yes-baltimore ravens (12-5) – Obtains 3rd seed
4.y-houston texans (9-7) – Obtains 4th seed
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)*
6.×-pittsburgh steelers (10-7)
7. denver broncos (9-7)*
8. cincinnati bengals (9-8, 6-6 AFC)*
9. miami dolphins (8-8, 6-5 AFC)*
10. indianapolis colts (7-9) — Eliminated
11. new york jets (4-12, 4-7 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
12. las vegas raiders (4-12, 3-8 AFC, defeated JAX) — Eliminated
13. jacksonville jaguars (4-12, 4-7 AFC, lost to NYJ & LV) — Lost
14. tennessee titans (3-13, win over NE) — Eliminated
15. New England Patriots (3-13, lost to TEN) — Eliminated
16. cleveland browns (3-14) — Eliminated
Week 17 NFC Standings
1.×-detroit lions (14-2, victory over MIN)
2.y-philadelphia eagles (13-3)
3. Yes-Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
4. tampa bay buccaneers (9-7)
5.×-minnesota vikings (14-2, lost to DET)
6.×-commander of washington (11-5, 8-3 NFC)
7.×-green bay packers (11-5, 6-5 NFC)
8. seattle seahawks (9-7) — Eliminated
9. atlanta falcons (8-8)
10. dallas cowboys (7-9, 5-6 NFC) — Lost
11. arizona cardinals (7-9, 3-8 NFC) — Lost
12. san francisco 49ers (6-9, win over DAL) — Eliminated
13. new orleans saints (5-11) — Eliminated
14. chicago bears (4-11, win over CAR) — Eliminated
15. carolina panthers (4-12, lost to CHI) — Eliminated
16. new york giants (3-13) — Eliminated
Teams marked with an asterisk
excluded from division competition
Teams marked with (x) have qualified for the playoffs
The team marked with (y) won the division
Teams marked with a (z) received the 1 seed, home-field advantage, and a first-round bye.
Playoff key takeaways from Week 17
The Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC North title with a convincing win over the Browns.
The Browns stunk and most of their best players were out in Week 18, but the Ravens left no doubt. He scored with just over three minutes left, giving him a 25-point lead and clinching the No. 3 seed in the AFC.
Cincinnati Bengals stay in wild card with 5th straight win
The Bengals won five straight games with a record of 9 wins and 8 losses, and remain in playoff contention. They need a lot of help on Sunday, but they're alive.
Pittsburgh Steelers slip into playoffs with four straight losses
The Steelers have lost four straight in December and could fall to the No. 6 seed if the Chargers win on Sunday. Pittsburgh will then face the AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
Which NFL teams have already qualified for the playoffs?
- We've been tracking the teams that have qualified for the playoffs since November, and we expect to have a complete list by the end of the week.
- kansas city chiefs
- buffalo bills
- detroit lions
- philadelphia eagles
- minnesota vikings
- houston texans
- baltimore ravens
- green bay packers
- Los Angeles Chargers
- commander of washington
Los Angeles Rams
- Which NFL team was eliminated from the playoffs?
- new york giants
- new england patriots
- jacksonville jaguars
- las vegas raiders
- tennessee titans
- cleveland browns
- new york jets
- chicago bears
- carolina panthers
- dallas cowboys
- arizona cardinals
- san francisco 49ers
- new orleans saints
- indianapolis colts
seattle seahawks
NFL Division Standings
- AFC East standings Buffalo Bills, 13-3 — division
- clinched
- Miami Dolphins, 8-8
- New York Jets, 4-12 — eliminated from playoff contention
New England Patriots, 3-13 — eliminated from playoff contention
- AFC North Division Standings Baltimore Ravens, 12-5 –
- Department decision
- Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-6
- Cincinnati Bengals, 8-8
Cleveland Browns, 3-14 — eliminated from playoff contention
- AFC South Division Standings
- Houston Texans, 9-7
- Indianapolis Colts, 7-9
- Jacksonville Jaguars, 4-12 — eliminated from playoff contention
Tennessee Titans, 3-13 — eliminated from playoff contention
- AFC West Division Standings Kansas City Chiefs, 15-1 — division
- clinched
- Los Angeles Chargers, 10-6
- Denver Broncos, 9-7
Las Vegas Raiders, 4-12 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC East standings Philadelphia Eagles, 13-3 – division
- clinched
- Washington Commanders, 11 wins and 5 losses
- Dallas Cowboys, 7-9 — eliminated from playoff contention
New York Giants, 3-13 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC North Standings
- Minnesota Vikings, 14-2
- Detroit Lions, 13-2
- Green Bay Packers, 11-5
Chicago Bears, 4-12 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC South Standings
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-7
- Atlanta Falcons, 8-8
- New Orleans Saints, 5-10 — eliminated from playoff contention
Carolina Panthers, 4-12 — eliminated from playoff contention
- NFC West Standings Los Angeles Rams, 10-6 – division
- clinched
- Seattle Seahawks, 9-7 — eliminated from playoff contention
- Arizona Cardinals, 7-9 — eliminated from playoff contention
San Francisco 49ers, 6-9 — eliminated from playoff contention
