The NFL playoff picture is taking shape. On Saturday, the Buccaneers kept their NFC South hopes alive by beating the Panthers. Then, in the nightcap, the Seahawks clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed and the West division title.
There is plenty to be decided on Sunday. The No. 1 seed in the AFC is up for grabs, and two divisions are undecided. We’ll also have a winner-take-all game for the AFC North.
Here’s where things stand after the two Saturday games in Week 18:
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NFL Playoff Image
AFC
- Denver Broncos (13-3)**
- New England Patriots (13-3)**
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
- Houston Texans (11-5)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)*
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)*
Within the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
* Clinched playoffs
** Clinched division
The Broncos, Patriots and Jaguars are all nonetheless in play to get the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Denver controls its personal future to get that high seed, although. The Broncos could have home-field benefit within the AFC playoffs in the event that they beat the Chargers on Sunday. New England will get the No. 1 seed if the Chargers beat the Broncos, and Jacksonville will get it with a win and losses from the Broncos and Patriots.
The Jaguars nonetheless must clinch the AFC South, however a win over the Titans would do exactly that. A loss and a Texans win over the Colts would imply Houston wins the AFC South.
The Chargers and Payments already know they’re taking part in on the street within the opening spherical of the playoffs. Houston, Los Angeles and Buffalo’s seeding continues to be up within the air.
The Chargers are going to relaxation quarterback Justin Herbert this weekend, whereas Josh Allen is about to start out for the Payments after returning to apply on Friday. Los Angeles performs on the Broncos, whereas Buffalo is dwelling towards the Jets. The Payments would transfer forward of the Chargers within the standings with a win and L.A. loss. Houston holds the tiebreaker over each the Chargers and Payments because of head-to-head wins over each.
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Lastly, Ravens vs. Steelers will decide the AFC North winner. The loser is eradicated, whereas Pittsburgh would advance within the case of a tie. Ravens’ star QB Lamar Jackson mentioned on Thursday that he is “100%” going to play in that recreation.
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3)**
- Chicago Bears (11-5)**
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)**
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)*
Within the hunt: Carolina Panthers (8-9)
* Clinched playoffs
** Clinched division
The Buccaneers win means the NFC South can be selected Sunday in a recreation between the 2 groups within the division which can be eradicated from playoff competition.
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With Tampa Bay’s win on Saturday over the Panthers, these groups are tied at 8-9 and the Buccaneers have the tiebreaker over Carolina. If the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday, they can even be 8-9, making a three-way tie atop the NFC South. In that state of affairs, Carolina has the tiebreaker with a 3-1 document throughout the common season towards Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
So, to sum this up: If the Falcons win on Sunday, the Panthers win the NFC South. If the Saints win, the Buccaneers are headed to the playoffs.
The Seattle Seahawks clinched the NFC West and the convention’s No. 1 seed with a win over the 49ers on Saturday evening. The 49ers, in the meantime, would be the No. 6 seed if the Rams beat the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon. The distinction between the No. 5 and 6 seeds is massive — it’s both a visit to face the NFC South winner or the No. 3 seed, which would be the Eagles or the Bears.
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The Bears and Eagles are each taking part in for playoff seeding on Sunday. Chicago will get the No. 2 seed with a win over Detroit, whereas Philadelphia would want to beat Washington and for Chicago to lose so as to get the No. 2 seed. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and most different key starters won’t function for the Eagles towards Washington on Sunday.
The Packers are locked into the No. 7 spot and can face both the Bears or Eagles on the street within the Wild Card Spherical. It is the third straight season that Inexperienced Bay would be the No. 7 seed within the NFC.
NFL Playoff Bracket
That is up to date as of Friday.
AFC
- (1) Broncos receive a bye
- (2) Patriots vs. (7) Bills
- (3) Jaguars vs. (6) Chargers
- (4) Steelers vs. (5) Texans
NFC
- (1) Seahawks receive a bye
- (2) Bears vs. (7) Packers
- (3) Eagles vs. (6) Rams
- (4) Buccaneers vs. (5) 49ers
NFL Playoff Schedule
- January 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
- January 17-18: Divisional round
- January 25: AFC and NFC championship games
- February 8: Super Bowl LX (in Santa Clara, California)
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