Week 18 playoff scenarios for all teams | A to Z Sports All-NFL newsletter

Our All-NFL newsletter from January 2, 2025.

Wes Roesch

Jan 3, 2026 4:01 PM EST

The playoffs are almost set! Just two more teams are left to be eliminated, and there are some seeding wars happening this weekend. Let’s look at playoff scenarios for all eligible teams.

AFC

No. 1: Denver Broncos (13-3)

Denver, which has already won the AFC West, takes the top seed with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers or with losses from both the New England Patriots and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

No. 2: New England Patriots (13-3)

The Pats have won the AFC East and have a chance to take the No. 1 seed with a win over the Miami Dolphins plus a Denver loss.

No. 3: Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)

The Jags haven’t won the AFC South quite yet, but can do so with a win/tie over the Tennessee Titans or a Houston Texans loss/tie. It’s still possible for Jacksonville to earn the No. 1 seed, though it’ll take some magic — they’ll need a win plus losses from both the Broncos and Pats.

No. 4: Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

The Steelers and Baltimore Ravens face off on Sunday Night Football with one goal in mind: win (or tie in the Steelers’ case), and take the AFC North (and earn a playoff spot). Lose, and they’re out of the playoffs entirely. There’s a chance Pittsburgh gets edge rusher T.J. Watt back from injury for this game, which would help the team’s chances immensely.

No. 5: Houston Texans (11-5)

Houston has already clinched a playoff spot, but can win the AFC South with a win over the Indianapolis Colts plus a Jags loss.

No. 6: Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)

L.A. is locked in a wild-card spot, though could move up to No. 5 or down to No. 7 depending on how things shake out in Week 18. The Chargers plan to rest quarterback Justin Herbert vs. Denver this weekend, so Trey Lance will get the start.

No. 7: Buffalo Bills (11-5)

Buffalo is in a similar spot as the Chargers — they could finish as high as No. 5 or as low as No. 7, so there’s not much to play for this weekend. Coach Sean McDermott implied that the team won’t rest starters against the New York Jets, though the team’s injury report paints a different picture.

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

The Ravens basically have the same scenario as Pittsburgh — win and they’re in as the AFC North winner, lose (or tie) and they’re out. Quarterback Lamar Jackson plans to play against the Steelers on Sunday night.

Eliminated:

Cincinnati Bengals (6-10), Cleveland Browns (4-12), Indianapolis Colts (8-8), Kansas City Chiefs (6-10), Las Vegas Raiders (2-14), Miami Dolphins (7-9), New York Jets (3-13), Tennessee Titans (3-13)

NFC

No. 1: Seattle Seahawks (13-3)

The stakes are high for Seattle, who could either finish as the No. 1 or No. 5 seed. A win/tie vs. the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night would give Seattle the NFC West and the No. 1 seed. A loss would give the Niners the division and the top seed.

No. 2: Chicago Bears (11-5)

Chicago can finish as either the No. 2 or No. 3 seed. It looks like coach Ben Johnson plans to play his starters against the Detroit Lions despite already having locked up the NFC North.

No. 3: Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

Philly has the same scenario as Chicago, having already locked up the NFC East. The Eagles have chosen to rest their starters vs. the Washington Commanders.

No. 4: Carolina Panthers (8-8)

A similar situation as the AFC North is playing out for the NFC South, with a slight caveat. For the Panthers, it’s beat (or tie with) the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday afternoon and they win the division, earning a playoff spot. However, Carolina could also win the division with an Atlanta Falcons win over the New Orleans Saints. Carolina gets knocked out of the playoffs with a loss and a Saints win.

Coach Dave Canales reiterated that the goal is to “handle business” and not worry about the outside scenario of the Falcons-Saints game, which is set to take place Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

No. 5: San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

Like Seattle’s scenario, the stakes are high here. A win over the Seahawks on Saturday night gives the Niners the NFC West and the No. 1 seed. A loss/tie would make the Niners a No. 5 or No. 6 seed, depending on how the Los Angeles Rams finish.

No. 6: Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

The only thing L.A. has to play for is a slightly higher seed — their options are Nos. 5 or 6. Despite the lack of options, coach Sean McVay plans to play the team’s starters vs. the Arizona Cardinals.

No. 7: Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)

Green Bay is locked into the No. 7 seed, so their game against the Minnesota Vikings doesn’t hold much importance. Coach Matt LaFleur plans to rest quarterbacks Jordan Love and backup Malik Willis, with plans to start Clayton Tune.

In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

A win vs. the Panthers on Saturday afternoon plus a Saints win over the Falcons gives the Bucs the NFC South and the No. 4 seed. A Bucs loss/tie or a Falcons win knocks Tampa Bay out of the playoffs completely.

Eliminated:

Arizona Cardinals (3-13), Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1), Detroit Lions (8-8), Minnesota Vikings (8-8), New Orleans Saints (6-10), New York Giants (3-13), Washington Commanders (4-12)