đ Share this article NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale. Baltimore battles Pittsburgh to decide the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco meet for the #1 spot in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and four division titles. The schedule makers have crafted a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in two direct head-to-head contests. Current NFL Play-Off Standings AFC Standings Denver (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo Bills (11-5) The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams. Houston need a win and a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will secure the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to claim it. NFC Standings Seattle Seahawks (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay Packers (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, granting them the fourth seed. Notably, Carolina could still claim the division even with a loss, depending on other results. The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home playoff games hanging in the balance. How the NFL Postseason Works The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a crucial bye week and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs. During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth. In the second round, the top seeds join the competition, hosting the weakest surviving team. The conference title games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the critical value of earning that #1 ranking. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home situation. The Steelers have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in contention. Player availability may prove critical: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive battle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The winner claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the championship game that it provides. This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is ranked among the best in the NFL. The Seahawks' quarterback their passer must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. The team that comes out on top earns a huge advantage for the playoff run. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while Carolina have missed recent opportunities to clinch the division. The Panthers it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit starters seals it. If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Broncos loss would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team. Jacksonville are the dark horse. They need a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken by the Houston Texans in the division standings. Full Slate of Final Week Games Saturday, 3 January Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30) Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) Sunday, 4 January New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (18:00) Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (18:00) Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (18:00) Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (18:00) Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00) Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (18:00) New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (21:25) Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25) Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (21:25) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25) Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (21:25) Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (21:25) Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles (21:25) Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)
Baltimore battles Pittsburgh to decide the AFC North, while Seattle and San Francisco meet for the #1 spot in the NFC. As we head into the final week of the regular NFL campaign, just two postseason berths remain open. Yet, a great deal more is at stake, such as the coveted #1 rankings in each conference and four division titles. The schedule makers have crafted a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in two direct head-to-head contests. Current NFL Play-Off Standings AFC Standings Denver (13-3) New England (13-3) Jacksonville (12-4) Pittsburgh (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8) Houston (11-5) L.A. Chargers (11-5) Buffalo Bills (11-5) The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard teams. Houston need a win and a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will secure the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to claim it. NFC Standings Seattle Seahawks (13-3) Chicago Bears (11-5) Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) San Francisco (12-4) L.A. Rams (11-5) Green Bay Packers (9-6) The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, granting them the fourth seed. Notably, Carolina could still claim the division even with a loss, depending on other results. The Packers are set at the seventh seed. The highlight, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home playoff games hanging in the balance. How the NFL Postseason Works The top seed in both the AFC and NFC earns a crucial bye week and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs. During Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth. In the second round, the top seeds join the competition, hosting the weakest surviving team. The conference title games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the critical value of earning that #1 ranking. AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday) This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home situation. The Steelers have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in contention. Player availability may prove critical: Pittsburgh may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a health issue. Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive battle. NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday) More than just the NFC West is at stake when the Seahawks visits San Francisco. The winner claims the NFC's top seed and the path to the championship game that it provides. This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the league's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's defense is ranked among the best in the NFL. The Seahawks' quarterback their passer must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. The team that comes out on top earns a huge advantage for the playoff run. The NFC South's Uncertain Finish Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday) Both clubs enters this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have lost four straight, while Carolina have missed recent opportunities to clinch the division. The Panthers it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a victory, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the division crown. Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday) New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday) The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit starters seals it. If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win coupled with a Broncos loss would give the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team. Jacksonville are the dark horse. They need a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken by the Houston Texans in the division standings. Full Slate of Final Week Games Saturday, 3 January Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30) Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday) Sunday, 4 January New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (18:00) Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (18:00) Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (18:00) Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (18:00) Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00) Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (18:00) New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (21:25) Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25) Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (21:25) Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25) Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (21:25) Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (21:25) Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles (21:25) Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)