As we officially head into Week 18 in the NFL, many teams’ playoff dreams have long been crushed.
Yes, everyone is pointing at you, New York.
But as with every exciting end to an NFL season, there is still plenty to be decided over the final few contests.
Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for this week’s slate:
Top spot in AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (8-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7), Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET / 5:20 p.m. PT
The AFC North comes down to another installment of this storied rivalry, this time in the final game of the regular season. NFL fans might remember the “Immaculate Extension” on Christmas Day in 2016, when Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown reached out after a relentless effort to score a touchdown that clinched the division over the Ravens with less than 10 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
It’s simple for these two. Win, and you’re in. Lose, and you’re out.
A tie would push Pittsburgh through courtesy of its early December win in Baltimore.
No. 1 seed in AFC
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) at Denver Broncos (13-3), Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET / 1:25 p.m. PT
Miami Dolphins (7-9) at New England Patriots (13-3), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET / 1:25 p.m. PT
Tennessee Titans (3-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4), Sunday, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
With a Broncos win over the Chargers on Sunday afternoon, Sean Payton’s squad will capture the first-round bye for the first time since 2015, when Peyton Manning led them to their third Super Bowl. A tie and a Patriots loss, or losses from both the Pats and the Jaguars, would also hand them a coveted week off.
Top spot in AFC South
Indianapolis Colts (8-8) at Houston Texans (11-5), Sunday, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Tennessee Titans (3-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4), Sunday, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Despite winning eight of their last nine games, the Jaguars are still fending off the Texans for their first division title since 2022. The Texans can flip the script with a Jags loss and a victory over a Colts squad turning to rookie Riley Leonard in favour of veteran Philip Rivers.
With the No. 1 seed and two division titles up for grabs, the wild-card matchups are endless. As it stands, the Steelers (4th seed) would host the Texans (5th seed), the Chargers (6th seed) would hit the road to face the Jaguars (3rd seed), and the Patriots (2nd seed) would play a home game against the Bills (7th seed) in a touted AFC East clash.
No. 1 seed in NFC
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
The NFC takes centre stage on Saturday, with both key matchups scheduled for prime-time viewing. The latter matchup includes a battle for the top spot in the NFC, between divisional rivals in the 49ers, who host the Seahawks.
After tying their franchise record win total in Week 17, the Seahawks will need one more win, or a tie, to clinch home field throughout the playoffs. The 49ers kept their hopes alive with a thrilling victory over Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears, but now must defeat Sam Darnold in hopes of finishing their dramatic injury-filled run to the top.
Top spot in NFC South
Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9), Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT
New Orleans Saints (6-10) at Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Sunday, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
Someone — by virtue — will win this division, and we could find out in Saturday’s former tilt.
The Bryce Young-led Panthers were certainly not a hot choice at the start of the season, but upset victories over the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams have put them in a position to make the playoffs — and win the division — with a victory or tie over the struggling Buccaneers.
Meanwhile, the Bucs have dropped four straight and need more than a win Saturday to push them through, as the Falcons can’t claim the title but they sure can spoil it.
If the Buccaneers defeat the Panthers, they will have to wait until early Sunday to reluctantly put on a Saints jersey and hope their divisional rival can finish putting them through. A three-way tie would send the Panthers, given their two-game sweep of the Falcons, ahead because of their head-to-head-to-head records.
Similar to the AFC, the NFC wild-card matchups are sure to endure some last-minute juggling. As it stands, the Panthers (4th seed) host the 49ers (5th seed), the Rams (6th seed) head to Philadelphia for a clash with the defending champion Eagles (3rd seed), and the Packers (7th seed) and Bears (2nd seed) meet for a marquee clash in Chicago.
from Sportsnet.ca
via i9bet
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