Playoff-clinching scenarios: Which teams can lock in postseason spots
There is just one week remaining in the NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is taking shape.
Nine teams have clinched postseason berths, including five in the NFC: the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams. In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs have clinched. That means five more spots are on the line in Week 18. The playoffs begin Jan. 13.
There are four AFC teams at 9-7, including a three-way tie atop the South. In the NFC, there are four teams in the playoff hunt at 8-8 — but there are two more teams on the outside looking in at 7-9.
Here is the playoff picture for Week 18, along with the clinching scenarios for the weekend:
More coverage:
Projecting the final seeding
FPI ratings for every team
Projected 2024 draft order
NFL playoff matchups as things stand
AFC
NFC
Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios in the AFC
The matchup: at Indianapolis on Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
What’s at stake: Houston clinches the AFC South title with:
-
Houston win OR
-
Jacksonville loss or tie
How the Texans can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: vs. Houston on Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
What’s at stake: Indianapolis clinches the AFC South title with:
How the Colts can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at Baltimore on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC
How the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth:
-
Pittsburgh win plus Buffalo loss OR
-
Pittsburgh win plus Jacksonville loss or tie OR
-
Pittsburgh win plus Houston-Indianapolis tie OR
-
Pittsburgh tie plus Jacksonville loss plus Houston-Indianapolis doesn’t end in tie OR
-
Jacksonville loss plus Denver win plus Houston-Indianapolis doesn’t end in tie
The matchup: vs. Buffalo on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
What’s at stake: Miami will clinch the AFC East title with a win or tie.
The matchup: at Miami on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
What’s at stake: Buffalo will clinch the AFC East title with a win.
How the Bills can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at Tennessee on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Jacksonville will clinch the AFC South title with:
How the Jags can clinch a playoff berth:
1:50
Stephen A. claims Cowboys’ winning record is due to ‘good luck’
Stephen A. Smith believes the reason the Cowboys are leading the NFC East over the Eagles is due to “good luck.”
Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios in the NFC
The matchup: at Washington on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
What’s at stake: Dallas clinches the NFC East title with:
The matchup: at Carolina on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
What’s at stake: Tampa Bay clinches the NFC South title with:
How the Bucs can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at New Orleans on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Atlanta will clinch the NFC South title with a win plus a Tampa Bay loss.
The matchup: vs. Atlanta on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: New Orleans clinches the NFC South title with:
How the Saints can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: at Giants on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Philadelphia clinches the NFC East title with:
The matchup: at Arizona on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth:
-
Seattle win plus Green Bay loss or tie OR
-
Seattle tie plus Green Bay loss plus Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
-
Seattle tie plus Green Bay loss plus New Orleans loss or tie
The matchup: vs. Chicago on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth:
-
Green Bay win OR
-
Green Bay tie plus Seattle loss or tie plus New Orleans loss or tie OR
-
Green Bay tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR
-
Green Bay tie plus Seattle tie plus Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
-
Minnesota loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR
-
Minnesota loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus New Orleans loss
The matchup: at Detroit on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Vikings can clinch a playoff berth:
