NFL Week 18: Final Day Playoff Seed Scenarios Explained

The NFL’s Week 18 marks the final day of the regular season and brings imminent playoff scenarios into focus. With 12 teams already securing their playoff spots, key matchups decide the remaining seeds. The Seattle Seahawks have clinched the top position in the NFC. Here’s a breakdown of the playoff seeding scenarios.

NFC Playoff Seed Scenarios

1. Seattle Seahawks

• Clinched the No. 1 seed with a victory over the 49ers.
• Earns a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

2. Chicago Bears or Philadelphia Eagles

• If the Bears win, they secure the No. 2 seed.
• If the Eagles win and the Bears lose, the Eagles are the No. 2 seed.

3. Philadelphia Eagles or Chicago Bears

• The loser of the Bears vs. Eagles matchup takes the No. 3 seed.
• The Eagles are resting starters and anticipating the No. 3 seed.

4. Carolina Panthers or Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• If the Falcons win, the Panthers clinch the No. 4 seed.
• If the Falcons lose or tie, the Buccaneers take the No. 4 seed.

5. San Francisco 49ers or Los Angeles Rams

• The 49ers clinch the No. 5 seed if the Rams lose or tie.
• If the Rams win, they secure the No. 5 seed.

6. Los Angeles Rams or San Francisco 49ers

• Should the Rams lose or tie, they fall to the No. 6 seed.
• If they win, the 49ers take on the No. 6 seed.

7. Green Bay Packers

• The Packers have cemented their position as the No. 7 seed.
• They will begin the playoffs away against the No. 2 seed, regardless of other outcomes.

AFC Playoff Seed Scenarios

1. Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, or Jacksonville Jaguars

• The Broncos can claim the No. 1 seed by winning or if the Patriots and Jaguars both lose.
• The Patriots can secure the No. 1 seed with a win and a Broncos loss.
• The Jaguars can clinch the top seed if they win and the Broncos and Patriots lose.

2. New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, or Jacksonville Jaguars

• Determining factors include any combination of wins and losses among the teams.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, or Houston Texans

• The Jaguars could finish as the No. 3 seed depending on outcomes from other games.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens

• The Steelers earn the No. 4 seed by beating or tying the Ravens.
• A Ravens win grants them the No. 4 seed.

5. Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, or Buffalo Bills

• The Texans’ seed will depend on various winning or losing conditions across these teams.

6. Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, or Buffalo Bills

• Playoff positioning will hinge on final game outcomes for these franchises.

7. Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, or Los Angeles Chargers

• The Bills can end up as the No. 7 seed depending on the results of their final game.

As the playoffs approach, these scenarios highlight the competitive atmosphere in the NFL, with teams vying for their chance at the championship.