The NFL regular season is drawing to a close with the final week upon us. After nearly four months of thrilling games since the Chiefs and Ravens kicked off the season, we are now just over a week away from the start of the postseason. Throughout the last 17 weeks, we’ve witnessed both surprising and disappointing performances from various teams. The Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders have exceeded expectations, securing playoff berths, with the Vikings even in contention for the top seed. On the other hand, the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets have struggled with injuries and lackluster performances.
As all 32 NFL teams gear up for their last game of the 2024 regular season, 14 teams are set to move on to the playoffs and compete for a shot at the Super Bowl. Let’s take a look at the current playoff picture heading into Week 18:
**AFC Playoff Picture:**
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners)*
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winners)*
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)*
4. Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)*
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)*
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, wild card No. 2)*
7. Denver Broncos (9-7, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Miami Dolphins (8-8), Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
In the NFC, the playoff picture is shaping up as follows:
1. Detroit Lions (14-2, NFC North leaders)*
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, NFC East winners)*
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West winners)*
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South leaders)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2, wild card No. 1)*
6. Washington Commanders (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
As we head into Week 18, some playoff spots are still up for grabs, especially in the AFC. The wild-card matchups are set to bring more excitement to the postseason, with teams battling for a chance to advance.
Here’s a glimpse of the wild-card matchups in each conference entering Week 18:
**AFC Wild-Card Matchups:**
– No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs: BYE
– No. 2 Buffalo Bills vs. No. 7 Denver Broncos
– No. 3 Baltimore Ravens vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers
– No. 4 Houston Texans vs. No. 5 [Team TBD]
The race for the Super Bowl is heating up, and fans can expect some thrilling matchups in the wild-card
The Pittsburgh Steelers have secured the No. 4 seed in the AFC as the division winner with the worst win-loss record. For Pittsburgh, regardless of the outcome in their Week 18 clash against the Tennessee Titans, they are guaranteed to host at least one playoff game. As it stands, if the season were to conclude today, the Houston Texans would be the hosting team for the Steelers. Pittsburgh, currently the top wild-card seed, is on a three-game losing streak and will face the Cincinnati Bengals, who are fighting for their slim playoff chances. The Steelers have the opportunity to clinch the No. 3 seed as division winners with a victory and a Baltimore Ravens loss. Conversely, a loss combined with a Los Angeles Chargers win could see Pittsburgh fall to the No. 6 seed.
Moving on to the NFC wild-card matchups, the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions have secured a bye week heading into the playoffs. Detroit, at the top of the standings entering Week 18, can maintain their position with a victory or a tie at home against the Minnesota Vikings on “Sunday Night Football.” However, a loss would see them drop down to the No. 5 seed.
The No. 2 seed Philadelphia Eagles are set to face the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers. Philadelphia is guaranteed to host at least one game in the NFC playoffs, with a potential rematch against Green Bay, the lower seed due to conference record, being on the cards. The Packers could rise to the No. 6 seed by defeating the Chicago Bears and receiving a favor from the Dallas Cowboys against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles previously triumphed over the Packers in their season opener, winning 34-29.
In another NFC clash, the No. 3 seed Los Angeles Rams will take on the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders. Los Angeles secured the NFC West title with a win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, marking their first division win since their Super Bowl victory in 2021. The Rams will host a wild-card game and will be the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. Washington, on the other hand, has clinched a playoff spot and currently holds the No. 6 seed. They can maintain their position with a victory against the Dallas Cowboys but risk dropping to the No. 7 seed if they lose and Green Bay emerges victorious.
The No. 4 seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to face the No. 5 seed Minnesota Vikings. The NFC South division title is still up for grabs between Tampa Bay and the Atlanta Falcons. Unlike the NFC North, where the division winner is yet to be determined between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, the team that misses out on the division crown will be excluded from the playoffs. Tampa Bay currently leads the division with a 9-7 record, but the Falcons hold the tiebreaker due to head-to-head victories. The Buccaneers must defeat the New Orleans Saints in Week
