The final week of the NFL regular season is here, and playoff positioning, division titles, and No. 1 seeds are all on the line. Several teams have already secured postseason spots, but many crucial matchups will determine division champions, first-round byes, and home-field advantage.
Below is a complete breakdown of NFL playoff clinching scenarios for both the AFC and NFC, based on the latest standings and Week 18 matchups.
AFC Playoff Picture: Clinched Teams and Scenarios
AFC Teams That Have Clinched a Playoff Berth
- Denver Broncos (13-3) – AFC West champions
- New England Patriots (13-3) – AFC East champions
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) – playoff berth
- Buffalo Bills (11-5) – playoff berth
- Houston Texans (11-5) – playoff berth
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) – playoff berth
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Jacksonville clinches the AFC South AND the AFC’s No. 1 seed with:
- Jaguars win + Broncos loss + Patriots loss
Jacksonville clinches the AFC South division title with:
- Jaguars win or tie
- OR Texans loss or tie
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Houston clinches the AFC South division title with:
- Texans win + Jaguars loss
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS)
Denver clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye, and home-field advantage with:
- Broncos win
- OR Broncos tie + Patriots loss or tie
- OR Patriots loss + Jaguars loss or tie
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET (FOX)
New England clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye, and home-field advantage with:
- Patriots win + Broncos loss or tie
- OR Patriots tie + Broncos loss
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
Baltimore clinches the AFC North division title with:
- Ravens win
Pittsburgh clinches the AFC North division title with:
- Steelers win or tie
NFC Playoff Picture: Clinched Teams and Scenarios
NFC Teams That Have Clinched a Playoff Berth
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3) – playoff berth
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – playoff berth
- Chicago Bears (11-5) – NFC North champions
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5) – playoff berth
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – NFC East champions
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) – playoff berth
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Saturday Night, 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
San Francisco clinches the NFC West division title AND the NFC’s No. 1 seed with:
- 49ers win
Seattle clinches the NFC West division title AND the NFC’s No. 1 seed with:
- Seahawks win or tie
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN/ABC)
Carolina clinches the NFC South division title with:
- Panthers win or tie
- OR Atlanta Falcons win
Tampa Bay clinches the NFC South division title with:
- Buccaneers win + Falcons loss or tie
What’s at Stake in the Final Week
With division titles, No. 1 seeds, first-round byes, and home-field advantage all undecided, Week 18 delivers one of the most dramatic slates of the NFL season. Several primetime matchups will directly determine playoff paths, and even teams already locked into the postseason have plenty to play for.
Fans should expect:
- High-stakes late-window games
- Division title clinchers in both conferences
- Final seeding implications that could reshape the playoff bracket
Final Thoughts
The final week of the NFL regular season is pure chaos—in the best way possible. Whether you’re tracking your favorite team’s playoff chances or watching the race for the No. 1 seed, these clinching scenarios ensure nonstop drama until the final whistle.
Stay tuned for full playoff brackets and Wild Card matchups once the dust settles.