NFL Playoff Scenarios 2026, Week 18 AFC, NFC Postseason Bracket Picture

The final week of the 2025 NFL season kicks off Saturday with a double-header featuring high stakes match-ups.

First, the NFC South crown is at stake as the Carolina Panthers battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then, San Francisco hosts Seattle in a battle for the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the conference.

Just 24 hours later, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will compete for the AFC North title and the fourth seed in the conference's playoffs.

What are the other scenarios facing the playoff teams in Week 18?

Find out with this preview.

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo

Division Leaders

1. z-Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West; +700 odds to win the Super Bowl)

2. z-New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East; +850)

3. x-Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South; +1300)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North; +10000)

A win for the Broncos over their division foe Los Angeles will earn Sean Payton's squad the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first round bye. A Patriots loss will also get them there.

Speaking of New England, they will have to beat the Dolphins and hope for a Broncos loss if they wish to reign over the AFC and ensure all playoff games run through Gillette Stadium.

The Jaguars are not out of the hunt for the top seed, either. Jacksonville can win home field advantage with a win and losses by Denver and New England. They can win the AFC South division title with a win or tie, or a Houston loss or tie.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff hopes hinge on a win over Baltimore Sunday.

Wild Card Teams

5. x-Houston Texans (11-5; +1400)

6. x-Los Angeles Chargers (11-5; +2800)

7. x-Buffalo Bills (11-5; +1100)

The Houston Texans remain in the hunt for the AFC South title and can win it with a victory and a Jaguars loss.

Buffalo and Los Angeles clinched a Wild Card position and will be on the road for the playoffs.

In the Hunt

Baltimore Ravens (8-8; +2200)

The Ravens have overcome significant injuries, including losing Lamar Jackson for multiple games this season, and have the chance to make an improbable playoff run if they can beat Pittsburgh in Week 18 and win the AFC North.

Eliminated

Indianapolis Colts (8-8)

Miami Dolphins (7-9)

Kansas City Chiefs (6-10)

Cincinnati Bengals (6-10)

Cleveland Browns (4-12)

New York Jets (3-13)

Tennessee Titans (3-13)

Las Vegas Raiders (2-14)

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo

Division Leaders

1. x-Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West; +500)

2. z-Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North; +2200)

3. z-Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East; +1000)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South; +12000)

Seattle and San Francisco will play for the NFC West crown and the top overall seed in the marquee match-up of Week 18. A win would earn Mike McDonald's squad home-field advantage and a first-round bye. A loss would see them hit the road in the first round.

Carolina had the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2017, but was unable to upset Seattle, setting up a showdown with the Buccaneers for the NFC South crown Saturday.

A win or tie against Tampa Bay, or an Atlanta Falcons win, will cash their ticket to their postseason, an improbable development given how inconsistent the team has been this season.

Wild Card Teams

5. x-San Francisco 49ers (12-4; +800)

6. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-5; +550)

7. x-Green Bay Packers (9-6-1; +2200)

The Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Atlanta Falcons put them in a scenario where they will play one of two teams in the opening round of the playoffs. They will either combat the NFC South winner or the Philadelphia Eagles. The latter scenario would set up one of the most anticipated match-ups of the playoffs; a rematch of last year's divisional round classic and of this year's Week 3 showdown.

The Packers claimed Trevon Diggs off waivers Wednesday, looking to beef up their defense ahead of the playoffs and in the absence of Micah Parsons. Whether he improves the unit or proves to be a liability on the back end remains to be seen.

In The Hunt

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9; +15000)

The Bucs' 20th-ranked defense and inconsistent play of quarterback Baker Mayfield have been liabilities throughout the back end of the season and has them in a scenario where they must defeat the Panthers and hope the Falcons lose in order to return to the postseason for the third year in a row.

Eliminated

Minnesota Vikings (8-8)

Detroit Lions (8-8)

Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1)

Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

New Orleans Saints (6-10)

Washington Commanders (4-12)

Arizona Cardinals (3-13)

New York Giants (3-13)

x-indicates clinched playoffs; z-indicates clinched division