NFL Play-Off Picture: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Final Week.

Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of play-off spots are still up for grabs. However, far more is on the line, such as the highly desired #1 rankings in both conferences and four divisional crowns.

The schedule makers have crafted a perfect ending, with the two remaining postseason places on the line in a pair of head-to-head matchups.

Current NFL Play-Off Standings

American Football Conference Rankings

1. Denver (13-3)
2. New England Patriots (13-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
5. Houston Texans (11-5)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)
7. Buffalo Bills (11-5)

The victor of the Steelers-Ravens game will claim the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and Los Angeles are locked in as wildcard entrants.

The Texans need a victory and a Jaguars loss to jump from fifth to the third seed. The Broncos will secure the top seed with a triumph, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to claim it.

National Football Conference Rankings

1. Seattle (13-3)
2. Chicago Bears (11-5)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
4. Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
5. San Francisco (12-4)
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
7. Green Bay (9-6)

The NFC South will be claimed by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, earning them the fourth seed. Notably, Carolina could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, depending on other results.

The Packers are locked into the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, however, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between the Seahawks and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.

Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format

The top seed in both the AFC and NFC receives a valuable bye week and home games for the duration of the play-offs.

On Wildcard Weekend, the remaining six playoff teams compete: the #2 team plays the seventh, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.

For the second round, the #1 seeds join the fray, facing the lowest remaining seed. The conference championship games are then played at the best remaining team, underscoring the critical value of earning that #1 ranking.

Win or Go Home in the AFC North

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)

This bitter rivalry reaches its climax in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home situation.

The Steelers have been up and down all year, while Baltimore struggled early but remain in the hunt. Key injuries could be decisive: The Steelers may be without star receiver DK Metcalf, while the Ravens' signal-caller their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury.

Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what promises to be a hard-hitting, defensive battle.

NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed

Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)

Not only the NFC West is on the line when Seattle visits San Francisco. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that it provides.

This game pits an explosive 49ers offense against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy returned, the 49ers have been the league's top offense. Conversely, the Seahawks' unit is ranked among the best in the NFL.

The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold needs to cut down on costly turnovers that have plagued him this season. Whoever wins this clash earns a massive edge for the playoff run.

The NFC South's Uncertain Finish

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)

Both clubs comes into this game with strong form. Tampa Bay have lost seven of eight, while the Panthers have missed recent opportunities to clinch the division.

For Carolina it's simple: win and they're in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is more complex. Even with a win, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to steal the divisional championship.

Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)

Denver control their destiny for the #1 AFC spot. A win over a Chargers team expected to sit key players seals it.

Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They need a triumph and defeats for the Broncos and Patriots to pull off an improbable ascent to #1. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the Texans in the AFC South.

NFL Week 18: Complete Schedule

Saturday, 3 January
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30)
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)

Sunday, 4 January
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (18:00)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (18:00)
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (18:00)
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (18:00)
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00)
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (18:00)
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (21:25)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25)
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (21:25)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (21:25)
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (21:25)
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles (21:25)
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)