NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Season Finale.

Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is on the line, such as the coveted #1 rankings in both conferences and several division titles.

NFL schedulers have produced a dramatic ending, with the two remaining play-off positions on the line in two direct winner-take-all contests.

NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18

AFC Standings

1. Denver (13-3)
2. New England (13-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore (8-8)
5. Houston Texans (11-5)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
7. Buffalo (11-5)

The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game will claim the fourth seed and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are locked in as wildcard entrants.

Houston require a victory coupled with a Jaguars defeat to climb from fifth to third. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a win, but a loss could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to claim it.

NFC Standings

1. Seattle (13-3)
2. Chicago Bears (11-5)
3. Philadelphia (11-5)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
5. San Francisco (12-4)
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-6)

The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Carolina-Tampa Bay matchup, earning them the #4 position. Notably, Carolina could still claim the divisional title even with a loss, depending on other outcomes.

Green Bay are set at the seventh spot. The highlight, however, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.

How the NFL Postseason Works

The #1 team in each conference receives a valuable bye week and home-field advantage for the duration of the play-offs.

On the Wild Card round, the remaining six playoff teams face off: the second seed hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and #4 faces #5.

For the Divisional Round, the top seeds enter the competition, hosting the weakest remaining seed. The conference title games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the immense value of securing that #1 ranking.

AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)

This bitter rivalry comes to a head in the final game of the NFL season. The divisional title and a postseason spot on the line, this is a true win-or-go-home situation.

The Steelers have been inconsistent this season, while the Ravens struggled early but are still in contention. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury.

Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a physical, defensive struggle.

Battle for #1 in the NFC

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)

Not only the NFC West is at stake when Seattle visits the 49ers. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the road to the championship game that it provides.

This matchup features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a dominant Seattle defense. Since quarterback their young passer returned, the 49ers have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's unit is rated among the best in the league.

The Seahawks' QB their passer needs to cut down on mistakes that have haunted him this year. The team that comes out on top gains a massive advantage for the playoff run.

NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)

Both clubs comes into this game with much momentum. Tampa Bay have lost seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed chances to secure the title.

For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a victory, they need another result from the Falcons-Saints game to claim the divisional championship.

Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)

Denver control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit key players seals it.

If the Broncos lose, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to New England.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They require a win and defeats for both Denver and New England to pull off an improbable ascent to #1. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken by the Texans in the AFC South.

NFL Week 18: Complete Schedule

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)