NFL PLAY-OFF PICTURE ENTERING WEEK 18
SportsBeat!
Written by Aaron Cantin
Here we are. The first-ever Week 18. Also known as Week 17 up until this year. Whatever week it is, it's the final week of the NFL regular season and there is plenty still to be determined. Last week helped clear the confusion considerably. But don’t let that fool you. Nearly half the league is battling for a playoff spot or positioning entering this final weekend. And if you’re fantasy football season is still going, don’t join that league next year. There will be duds this week as always. Nonetheless, let's take a look at each team's situation heading into this final week. Note: teams playing for nothing have been omitted.
Source: Getty Images
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
What to know: The Bills didn't lock up the AFC East yet but clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Falcons. They clinch the AFC East in Week 18 with a win.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jets
New England Patriots
What to know: The Patriots clinched a playoff berth with their win over the Jaguars. New England wins the AFC East with a win and a Buffalo loss to New York in Week 18. The Patriots will be at least the No. 5 seed with a win. The Patriots can clinch home field in the AFC with a win, plus losses by the Bills, Titans and Chiefs.
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins
AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals
What to know: The Bengals have clinched the AFC North with their win over the Chiefs. Cincinnati is the No. 3 seed in the AFC due to having a better conference record than Buffalo. The Bengals can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC with either of the following:
Win + Titans loss + Chiefs loss + Patriots loss
Win + Bills win + Titans loss + Chiefs loss
Remaining schedule: at Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers
What to know: The Steelers remain alive in the AFC playoff race after their win on Monday night against the Browns. The Steelers can clinch a playoff berth with a Week 18 win over the Ravens, plus a Colts loss.
Remaining schedule: at Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: The Ravens' playoff hopes are dim after falling to the Rams. Baltimore is 11th in the conference and needs a Week 18 win with some help in order to make the playoffs. The Ravens can clinch a playoff berth with a win, plus losses by the Colts, Browns, Chargers and Dolphins.
Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers
AFC South
Tennessee Titans
What to know: The Titans clinched the division title with their win over the Dolphins on Sunday -- and hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the Chiefs' loss to the Bengals. Tennessee clinches the top seed with a win over Houston in Week 18 or these two scenarios if they were to lose:
Chiefs loss + Bengals loss + Patriots loss
Chiefs loss + Bengals loss + Bills win
Remaining schedule: at Texans
Indianapolis Colts
What to know: A loss to the Raiders had the Colts' playoff fate hanging in the balance, but Indianapolis needs just a win over the Jaguars in Week 18 to lock up a playoff spot. The Colts are the No. 6 seed in the conference, even though they have the same record as the Chargers and Raiders. Indianapolis has the best record in conference games and the Chargers beating the Raiders earlier this year gives Los Angeles the No. 7 spot. The Colts can clinch a playoff berth with a victory against the Jaguars.
Remaining schedule: at Jaguars
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs
What to know: The Chiefs fell out of the No. 1 seed with a loss to the Bengals and are currently the No. 2 seed as the Titans have the head-to-head tiebreaker. Kansas City needs a win and a Tennessee loss in Week 18 to clinch the first-round bye.
Remaining schedule: at Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers
What to know: The Chargers eliminated the Broncos from the playoff race with their win. They are currently the No. 7 seed with one week to go, losing a conference-record tiebreaker to the Colts but own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Raiders -- who they face next week. Los Angeles clinches a playoff spot with a win over Las Vegas.
Remaining schedule: at Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders
What to know: The Raiders' win over the Colts keeps them in the AFC playoff race, tied with the Colts and Chargers at 9-7 with one week to go. Las Vegas loses the head-to-head tiebreaker with Los Angeles -- currently the No. 7 seed -- yet the Raiders play the Chargers next week. The Raiders can clinch a playoff berth with either of the following:
Win vs Chargers
Steelers loss + Colts loss
Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
What to know: Dallas blew its chance at a home-field advantage with a loss to Arizona. The Cowboys fall to the No. 4 seed in the NFC with the loss but have already clinched the NFC East.
Remaining schedule: at Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
What to know: The Eagles clinched a playoff berth Sunday night, thanks to the Packers beating the Vikings. Philadelphia needed a win over Washington, coupled with a 49ers' win over the Texans and the Packers win over the Vikings to lock up the playoff spot.
The Eagles are still the No. 7 seed since the 49ers own the head-to-head tiebreaker, but clinched a playoff spot before San Francisco because the 49ers' win over the Texans guaranteed there is not a scenario of the Saints, Eagles, and 49ers having a three-way tie for the same record. The Saints would win the strength of schedule tiebreaker for the No. 6 seed and the 49ers would get the No. 7 seed over the Eagles based on their head-to-head victory from earlier this year. That's no longer an option with the 49ers winning.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys
NFC North
Green Bay Packers
What to know: The Packers clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over the Vikings on Sunday night.
Remaining schedule: at Lions
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What to know: The Buccaneers are the No. 3 seed in the NFC after coming back and beating the Jets. They lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Rams for the No. 2 spot.
Remaining schedule: vs. Panthers
New Orleans Saints
What to know: The Saints are still alive in the NFC playoff race after their win over the Panthers. New Orleans is one game behind Philadelphia and San Francisco for the final playoff spot as the No. 8 seed but loses the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Eagles.
The Saints clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Falcons and a 49ers loss to the Rams.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams
What to know: The Rams clinch the NFC West with a win over the 49ers in Week 18 or a Cardinals loss to the Seahawks. They are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC, holding a head-to-head tiebreaker to the Buccaneers.
Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers
Arizona Cardinals
What to know: The Cardinals will win the NFC West with a win and a Rams loss in Week 18. Arizona can't be lower than the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers
What to know: The 49ers clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Rams in Week 18 or a Saints loss to the Falcons. San Francisco is currently the No. 6 seed in the NFC, holding the head-to-head tiebreaker over Philadelphia.
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