NFL Playoffs 2018: Predictions for AFC, NFC Bracket and Seeds

There are three playoff spots in question and six teams in contention; how will the postseason picture look after Week 17 action?

After four months of regular-season competition, the pathway to advance comes down to one final contest for several clubs. The Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons have win-and-in playoff scenarios.

Nonetheless, we could see the Los Angeles Chargers return to the postseason after a three-year hiatus or the Buffalo Bills reach the playoffs for the first time since their Music City Miracle debacle in January 2000.

What's the final call on the remaining unclaimed seeds going into Week 17? Let's go through the scenarios and predictions for the final brackets.

Current AFC Playoff Picture

1. New England Patriots* (12-3, first-round bye)

2. Pittsburgh Steelers* (12-3, first-round bye)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars* (10-5, vs. Tennessee Titans) 

4. Kansas City Chiefs* (9-6 vs. Baltimore Ravens) 

5. Baltimore Ravens (9-6 vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

6. Tennessee Titans (8-7 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)

In the Hunt

7. Los Angeles Chargers (8-7)

8. Buffalo Bills (8-7) 

Current NFC Playoff Picture

1. Philadelphia Eagles* (13-2, first-round bye)

2. Minnesota Vikings* (12-3, first-round bye) 

3. Los Angeles Rams* (11-4, vs. Atlanta Falcons) 

4. New Orleans Saints* (11-4, vs. Carolina Panthers)

5. Carolina Panthers* (11-4, vs. New Orleans Saints) 

6. Atlanta Falcons (9-6, vs. Los Angeles Rams)

In the Hunt

7. Seattle Seahawks (9-6) 

*Indicates team has clinched playoff berth.

Baltimore Ravens Clinch No. 5 seed in AFC

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

Among teams vying for a playoff spot, the Baltimore Ravens have the easiest pathway. They control their destiny and host the Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) at M&T Bank Stadium. A win would lock the club into the fifth seed in the AFC. 

When talking to head coach John Harbaugh, you would think the Ravens were at a disadvantage for having the kickoff moved from 1 p.m. ET to 4:25 p.m. ET, per ESPN.com reporter Jamison Hensley: "I don't think the NFL did us any favors by moving it back. But they don't care about us. So, we just have to care about ourselves. We have to take care of our own business. That goes for our team, for our fans and for our city. Let's go win the football game."

While it's understood that NFL players and coaches become creatures of habit during the season, at least the league decided not to flex a game into the Sunday Night Football prime-time slot. 

In other words, it could have been worse. The Ravens should beat the Bengals with downhill ball-carrier Alex Collins bludgeoning Cincinnati's 31st-ranked run defense.

Buffalo Bills Clinch No. 6 Seed in AFC

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

If the Ravens clinch the No. 5 seed, the result leaves a three-team race for the final spot in the conference. Unfortunately for the Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone plans to use his starters as if the two teams' Week 17 matchup were any regular game, per ESPN.com reporter Michael DiRocco:

"Make no mistake about it, just so there is not a lot of talk during the week: When the players come in [Wednesday], we are talking about how we are going to play to win and do everything we possibly can to win this game, period."

The Pittsburgh Steelers' victory over the Houston Texans on Christmas Day locked Jacksonville into the No. 3 seed, but don't tell Marrone there is nothing to play for Sunday.

The Jaguars at full strength, coupled with Titans running back DeMarco Murray's attempt to play with a knee injury, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, likely leads to a loss for Tennessee. 

The Los Angeles Chargers host the Oakland Raiders Sunday, but the ticket-sales department anticipates the visiting team will garner more support at the StubHub Center, per NFL Network's Omar Ruiz:

A pro-Raiders crowd won't fix a disjointed offense, but the Chargers field the worst run defense in the league. Running back Marshawn Lynch has hit his stride recently, accumulating 333 rushing yards and two touchdowns over the past four contests.

As Oakland skipper Jack Del Rio coaches to keep his job on a 50-50 proposition, per ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, the Raiders will grind out a low-scoring victory to keep the Chargers out of the postseason.

Losses for the Titans and Chargers would allow the Bills to clinch the No. 6 seed with a win over the Miami Dolphins. In the first meeting between the two clubs this year, Buffalo quarterback Tyrod Taylor threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score en route to a 24-16 victory.

Expect running back LeSean McCoy to top his 50-yard performance from that Week 15 contest. Buffalo will reach the postseason for the first time in 18 years.

Atlanta Falcons Clinch No. 6 Seed in NFC

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

It's possible the Carolina Panthers take a glimpse at the NFL scoreboard to see a lopsided start between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then take their foot off the pedal against the Atlanta Falcons. 

Despite what the coaches say, unless definitive about playing starters, there is an option to treat Week 17 like a preseason game, with key players coming off the field after two or three quarters—specifically for clubs that have already clinched playoff berths.

Quarterback Cam Newton takes hits as a passer, in and outside the pocket and as a ball-carrier. He's logged 39 rush attempts in his previous three outings. If the Saints comfortably lead the Buccaneers with the likelihood of cruising to the NFC South title, there's no reason to put the focal point of the offense in harm's way.

Unless the Panthers have a chance to win the NFC South title, the Falcons may have a soft second-half matchup with a team looking to stay healthy for the postseason.

As for the action on the field, keep an eye on Carolina's pass defense, which has allowed 250-plus yards in each of the past five contests. Wide receiver Julio Jones should have a big game, racking up approximately 100 yards with a score en route to victory.

As a result, the Seattle Seahawks, who need a win over the Arizona Cardinals and a Falcons loss, would miss out on the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.