The 2024 NFL regular season is in its final week, but for some teams, there won't be much of a chance to play, as they've already clinched a playoff berth, or worse, been eliminated from playoff contention.
But for other teams that aren't on either end of the spectrum, with everything to play for, it becomes a must-win situation this week while also looking at the rest of the league.
Looking at the current playoff situation, there is only one playoff spot available for both the AFC and NFC. Second, the four AFC games and three NFC games have playoff implications for a total of nine teams, whether they simply make the playoffs or earn seeding within their bracket.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, No. 8, leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Let's take a closer look at the teams and matchups to watch in Week 18. We'll start with the teams in the AFC that have a chance of making the playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens (vs. Cleveland Browns) – Decision
Lamar Jackson and company have already clinched a 2024 playoff berth with an 11-5 record, but the AFC North title is still on the line, with the Pittsburgh Steelers (more on them later). Details) are in 10th place, just one game behind. -6.
Therefore, if Baltimore wins or ties, it will win the division and secure the No. 3 seed, which would be an automatic home game in the wild card round. They would also lock them up in a loss to the Steelers.
2024-25 NFL Playoff Odds: Odds for each team to advance to the postseason
Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Cincinnati Bengals) – Decision
Like the Ravens, the Steelers are already in the playoffs, but would like to earn the No. 3 seed if possible.
But unlike the Ravens, they will face a much more formidable AFC North foe, the Bengals, who also have a shot at making the postseason.
However, the slight advantage for the Steelers is that the Ravens will play a game earlier in the day. So they'll know their situation when they go into the game against Cincinnati. They will clinch the district title with a 1-1 loss over Baltimore.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver #1 Jamar Chase during the first quarter of the NFL Week 11 game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Sunday, Nov. 17. Run while catching. 2024.
cincinnati bengals (vs. Steelers)
The other team in this game is the Bengals, who have won their last four games to go 8-8 and qualify for the final wild card spot.
Winning five straight games is paramount if they want to earn that spot, but favorable things also need to happen to qualify for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
After the Bengals win, the Denver Broncos must lose and the Miami Dolphins must either lose or tie. Only then can Joe Burrow and his star team sneak into the playoffs.
Denver Broncos (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)
As the No. 1 seed in the AFC and with a league-best 15-1 record, the Chiefs are preparing for the bye week and will be starting on Sunday to ensure key players like Patrick Mahomes are available. We plan to rest most of the members. Things are going well for the divisional round.
But Bo Nix and the Broncos have the same plan they needed a few weeks ago. It's about winning and moving up. The Broncos have lost two in a row, which has kept teams like the Bengals and Dolphins alive in playoff contention.
Can this 9-7 group, led by a breakthrough rookie quarterback and outstanding defense, return Denver to the postseason for the first time since winning the Super Bowl in 2015? They will not be meeting with the Chiefs as usual and will be working from home.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (No. 10) throws during the first half of the NFL football game vs. the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
miami dolphins (@New York Jets)
Like the Bengals, the Dolphins need some help to make the playoffs, but Cincinnati isn't in the cards.
Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins need a win and a loss in Denver to clinch the final playoff spot, so they beat their AFC East rivals at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, leading to a Broncos-Chiefs matchup. I need someone to look at it.
Detroit Lions – Minnesota Vikings: NFC NO. 1 Seed
This is probably the best game Week 18 has to offer NFL fans, as the NFC's No. 1 seed will be determined by the NFC North winner.
The Lions and Vikings are both 14-2, with the latter on a nine-game winning streak and the former set to host “Sunday Night Football,” with each hoping to host every game. It will be a long-awaited match between both teams. Playoff games excluding the Super Bowl.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, wearing No. 14, is scheduled to play against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Crookhorn)
If that is not enough, the loser will become the fifth seed. They are not the No. 2-4 seeds given to the division winners. Being the No. 5 seed means they'll play the winner of the NFC South (which starts soon).
Soccer fans, stay strong. In Week 18, the two best offenses will face off with high stakes. It's playoff football with no real eliminations.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons?
Again, things weren't looking great in the NFC South, but Week 18 will see both the Bucks and Falcons looking for the final playoff spot, secured only by a division title. It creates some tension.
However, no matter what happens in the game between the Falcons and the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay has the advantage, as a win at home against the Carolina Panthers will ensure the division title.
However, if the Bucks lose and the Falcons win, Atlanta will win the division.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback #6 Baker Mayfield drops back during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Clement Neitzel-Iman Images)
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But will they have the same 9-8 record? Kirk Cousins may no longer be Atlanta's starting quarterback, but he had two of his best games of the season against Tampa Bay, and in both matchups the Falcons led to victory. A clean sweep in the regular season would mean the Falcons would win the tiebreaker against the Bucks and be crowned NFC South champions.
Both games will be held at the same time at 1pm ET, creating the perfect amount of suspense for fans of both series.
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