Heading into the final week of the season, here is a breakdown of the NFL playoff picture and what teams need to do.
The final week of the regular season is here and the schedule has been released. The primetime games on Saturday and Sunday will feature the teams that need to win to get into the playoffs. The Steelers take on the Ravens and the Colts take on the Texans on Saturday, while the Bills and Dolphins host Sunday Night Football. You will not want to miss this week. Here are the implications and what the playoffs looking like heading into this final week.
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NFC Picture
1 Seed: San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – NFC West Leader (Clinched Conference and Division)
The San Francisco 49ers are undoubtedly one of the best teams in football. They have shown it week in and week out. Despite the poor game from Purdy and company against the Ravens, the 49ers are still one of the most feared teams entering the playoffs. Not many have the firepower they do.
2 Seed: Dallas Cowboys (11-5) – NFC East Leader (Clinched Playoffs)
The NFC East will come down to the final week of the season. The Cowboys take on the Commanders and the Eagles take on the Giants. With both being divisional games, if Dallas wins or they both lose, they take the division. If they lose and Philadelphia wins, Philadelphia takes the division.
3 Seed: Detroit Lions (11-5) – NFC North Leader (Clinched Division)
The Detroit Lions have the makings of a team that you do not want to see in the playoffs. Coached by Dan Campbell, this group is tough and resilient. Even through the loss last week that was controversial, this groups of guys will fight on.
4 Seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) – NFC South Leader
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints sit at 8-8 with the Atlanta Falcons at 7-9. This division is wide open still. However, if Tampa Bay beats the Carolina Panthers, they win the division, despite what anyone else does.
Wild Cards: Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, Clinched Playoffs), Los Angeles Rams (9-7, Clinched Wild Card), Green Bay Packers (8-8)
With Philadelphia and Los Angeles already tying up two of the three Wild Card spots, there is one spot remaining for three 8-8 teams and two 7-9 teams still in contention. Green Bay currently holds the tiebreaker with conference games winning percentage over New Orleans and strength of victory over Seattle.
In The Hunt: Atlanta Falcons (7-9), Seattle Seahawks (8-8), New Orleans Saints (8-8), Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Eliminated: Carolina Panthers (2-14), Washington Commanders (4-12), Arizona Cardinals (4-12), New York Giants (5-11), Chicago Bears (7-9)
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AFC Picture
1 Seed: Baltimore Ravens (13-3) – AFC North Leader (Clinched Conference and Division)
The Baltimore Ravens have done it all. They have secured the AFC title, the AFC North title, and hold the best record in the NFL. They have taken down the top seed in the NFC, and they are looking poised to be Super Bowl favorites behind MVP-frontrunner Lamar Jackson.
2 Seed: Miami Dolphins (11-5) – AFC East Leader (Clinched Playoffs)
The Miami Dolphins, after their loss last week to the Ravens, will face off against the Buffalo Bills this week with the winner taking the crown in the AFC East. Miami had already clinched the playoffs, but they have an opportunity to jump to the No. 2 spot and Miami could lose that spot if they don’t win.
3 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) – AFC West Leader (Clinched Playoffs)
The Kansas City Chiefs finally picked up some momentum beating the Cincinnati Bengals last week. They have already clinched their division and a top-four spot, so they will have all eyes this week set on the playoffs and who they will play.
4 Seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) – AFC South Leader
The Jaguars are on a monumental collapse and Trevor Lawrence is not looking any closer to being back on the field. They are tied with the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans for the lead in the division which they currently hold and would continue to with a win. Otherwise, one of the other two will take the AFC South crown.
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Wild Cards: Cleveland Browns (11-5, Clinched Wild Card), Buffalo Bills (10-6), Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
This week will come down to the Colts v. Texans among other things. Buffalo wins the division with a win, but they could fall out of the playoffs with a loss and stars aligning. The Colts make the playoffs with a win and are out with a loss.
In The Hunt: Houston Texans (9-7), Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Eliminated: New England Patriots (4-12), New York Jets (6-10), Tennessee Titans (5-11), Los Angeles Chargers (5-11), Las Vegas Raiders (7-9), Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Denver Broncos (8-8)
Regional restrictions may apply.
