Jan 3, 2026, 12:28 PM CUT

All Key Playoffs Scenarios You Need to Know About Before Game Week 18

We're in Week 18, but the playoff race is still wide open! 16 have been eliminated from the playoffs, and 12 (six teams from both conferences) have clinched their playoff berths.

Last week, the Colts said goodbye to all of their hopes with their sixth consecutive loss against the Jaguars.

On the NFC side, the Minnesota Vikings were eliminated despite a 23-10 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Here are the key scenarios heading into the final week.

Playoff Scenarios for All AFC Teams

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Six teams from the AFC have qualified for the playoffs:

Denver Broncos (13-3) - Won AFC West
New England Patriots (13-3) - Won AFC East
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) - Clinched playoff berth
Houston Texans (11-5) - Clinched playoff berth
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) - Clinched playoff berth
Buffalo Bills (11-5) - Clinched playoff berth

Although the Broncos have already won the AFC West division title, they have yet to clinch the No.1 AFC seed. They get the first-round bye and a home-field advantage if they win their final game against the Chargers, or hope that the Patriots and the Jaguars both lose their games.

Similarly, the Patriots will clinch the AFC No.1 seed with a win over the Dolphins and hope that Denver either loses or ties their game.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars can also clinch the No. 1 AFC seed. They need a win in their last game against the Titans and hope that both New England and Denver lose. If not, they can still clinch the AFC South title with a win and the Texans’ loss or a tie.

Although Houston can’t reach the No. 1 AFC seed, it can still win the AFC South. They need a win against the Colts in their last game and hope that the Jaguars lose to Tennessee.

While the Chargers and the Bills have claimed the Sixth and seventh seeds in the AFC, respectively, the real battle for the playoffs will happen between the Ravens and the Steelers. The scenario is simple: whoever wins the game clinches the AFC North title and the fourth AFC seed.

Playoff Scenarios for All NFC Teams

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 28: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock 2 during an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2025 at Bank of America stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 28 Seahawks at Panthers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251228047

Six teams from the NFC have qualified for the playoffs:

Seattle Seahawks (13-3) - Clinched playoff berth
San Francisco 49ers (12-4) - Clinched playoff berth
Chicago Bears (11-5) - Won NFC North
Los Angeles Rams (11-5) - Clinched playoff berth
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) - Won NFC East
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) - Clinched playoff berth

The Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers will fight for the No. 1 NFC seed. Brock Purdy and company have to defeat the Seahawks to clinch the NFC West title and lone first-round bye, and a home-field advantage. Meanwhile, Seattle can clinch the top seed with a win, or even a tie.

The Bears, the Eagles, and the Rams have clinched their playoff berths, but the No.1 NFC seed is effectively out of their hands, even if they win their respective last games.

It will all come down to the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last playoff spot. The Panthers will clinch the NFC South title with a win over the Bucs and hope that the Falcons win their last game against the Saints.

On the flip side, Tampa Bay needs a win over the Panthers and hopes that Atlanta loses its last game.

Which team will qualify for the playoffs, and which teams will say a heartbreaking goodbye? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

Written by

Kalp Thaker

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar