All the playoff-clinching scenarios
There are just 14 games remaining in the NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is almost set.
Ten 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 clinched before Week 18, while the Houston Texans are in after they beat the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night.
That means four more spots are on the line Sunday. The playoffs begin Jan. 13. 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: They won at Baltimore on Saturday.
How the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth:
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Buffalo loss OR
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Jacksonville loss or 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:
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Buffalo tie OR
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Jacksonville loss or tie
The matchup: at Tennessee on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Jacksonville will clinch the AFC South title with a win, but that’s the only way it can get in after Saturday’s results.
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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:
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Seattle win plus Green Bay loss or tie OR
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Seattle tie plus Green Bay loss plus Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
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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:
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Green Bay win OR
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Green Bay tie plus Seattle loss or tie plus New Orleans loss or tie OR
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Green Bay tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR
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Green Bay tie plus Seattle tie plus Tampa Bay loss or tie OR
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Minnesota loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR
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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:
