NFL Playoff Scenarios 2018: Latest AFC, NFC Wild Card Picture and Vegas Odds

We're down to the final week of the NFL season with just a few more playoff berths to be secured.

In the AFC, there's a sprint for the wild-card positions. If the Baltimore Ravens win, they're in, but the No. 6 spot is going to come down to the Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills.

The Seattle Seahawks have a chance to back into the playoffs with a win and an Atlanta Falcons loss in the NFC.

Below we'll look at the updated standings as well as a couple of storylines for each conference and the Super Bowl odds on teams that have clinched or are still in the hunt.

All odds are courtesy of Odds Shark.

AFC Standings and Playoff Picture

1. New England Patriots (12-3) - 5/2

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3) - 13/2

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) - 14/1

4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) - 18/1

5. Baltimore Ravens (9-6) - 28/1

6. Tennessee Titans (8-7) - 100/1

7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) - 50/1 

8. Buffalo Bills (8-8) - 150/1

9. Miami Dolphins (6-9)

10. Oakland Raiders (6-9)

11. Cincinnati Bengals (6-9)

12. New York Jets (5-10)

13. Denver Broncos (5-10)

14. Houston Texans (4-11)

15. Indianapolis Colts (3-12)

16. Cleveland Browns (0-15)

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

Can the Chargers Complete the Comeback?

After starting the season 0-4, many wrote Los Angeles off.

The beginning of the season was particularly brutal for the Chargers, as they dealt with the struggles of rookie kicker Younghoe Koo. But with one game of remaining in the season, they have a shot at making into the postseason.

There has only been one team to come back after starting 0-4...yep, you guessed it: the Chargers (in 1992). With a win at home against the Raiders and a Titans loss at home to the vaunted Jaguars, 2017's team will repeat the accomplishment.

The Chargers should be able to take care of business at home, but has the psyche of the Jaguars been messed with after giving up 44 to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16?

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has played well below expectations this season, so the edge still goes to the Jags.

Going by this logic, the Chargers will complete their incredible comeback and be on the road in the Wild Card round against the Jaguars—oh boy.

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Tom Brady's Recent Struggles a Cause for Concern?

In case you've missed it, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has thrown an interception in five straight games for the first time in 15 years.

Also, over his last four games, Brady is averaging only one touchdown per game.

So, will this impact the Patriots come playoff time?

The short answer: No, it shouldn't.

The Patriots essentially have a bye week in Week 17 hosting the Jets. Provided they handle business there, they get a bye and then will take on the lowest-seeded victorious team from the AFC Wild Card Round at home.

This has been an unusual funk for Brady, but it will all be rectified in time for the postseason, when it matters most.

The Patriots will get the No. 1 seed and once again be Super Bowl favorites.

NFC Standings and Playoff Picture

1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) - 10/1

2. Minnesota Vikings (12-3) - 23/4

3. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) - 10/1

4. New Orleans Saints (11-4) -10/1

5. Carolina Panthers (11-4) -18/1

6. Atlanta Falcons (9-6) - 14/1

7. Seattle Seahawks (9-6) - 50/1

8. Detroit Lions (8-7) 

9. Dallas Cowboys (8-7)

10. Green Bay Packers (7-8)

11. Washington Redskins (7-8)

12. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

13. San Francisco 49ers (5-10)

14. Chicago Bears (5-10)

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11)

16. New York Giants (2-13)

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Two-Way Race for No. 6 Seed

It has come down to two teams for the No. 6 seed in the NFC Wild Card race: The Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks.

In Week 17, the Falcons and Seahawks face the Panthers and Cardinals at home, respectively.

On paper, the Falcons have the harder matchup hosting the Panthers. But should both teams lose, they're still in. The Seahawks need to win and watch the Falcons lose.

The odds are in the Falcons' favor, but I'm expecting the Seahawks to pull this one off.

Some way, somehow, the Seahawks will make it.

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images

Rams Underrated?

The Rams' 10/1 Super Bowl odds are respectable, but are we perhaps underrating them?

First, they likely have the NFLMVP in running back Todd Gurley, who has been tearing the league in half all season long with his 19 total touchdowns.

Second, quarterback Jared Goff is much improved—it's almost like a total 180 from last season. He has 28 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

Lastly, the pass defense has been rock solid this season. According to Football Outsiders, through Week 15 the Rams ranked third in DVOA against the pass.

With that said, their run defense is a bit of a cause for concern, ranking 19th in DVOA.

The Rams have arguably the best offense in the league this season, so is it possible we might be underrating them?

When you look at their path to the Super Bowl, they'll have to host either the Falcons or Seahawks, who can both give them a run for their money.

However, should they win, the Rams will likely be on the road against a stout Vikings defense, which is led by safety Harrison Smith.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference and Football Outsiders.