NFL Postseason Scenarios: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Season Finale.

Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is on the line, such as the highly desired top seeds in each conference and several division titles.

NFL schedulers have produced a perfect finale, with the two remaining play-off positions to be decided in two direct head-to-head contests.

NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18

AFC Standings

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

The winner of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants.

Houston need a victory coupled with a Jacksonville defeat to jump from the fifth seed to third. The Broncos will earn the top seed with a win, but a setback could pave the way for the Patriots or the Jaguars to snatch it.

National Football Conference Rankings

1. Seattle (13-3)
2. Chicago (11-5)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
4. Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
7. Green Bay (9-6)

The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, granting them the #4 position. Notably, Carolina could still claim the divisional title even with a defeat, depending on other outcomes.

Green Bay are locked into the seventh spot. The marquee matchup, however, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between the Seahawks and the 49ers, with a first-round bye and home playoff games on the line.

How the NFL Postseason Works

The #1 team in each conference earns a valuable first-round bye and home games for the duration of the postseason.

During the Wild Card round, the other six qualified teams face off: the second seed plays the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.

For the second round, the top seeds join the fray, facing the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the immense value of securing that #1 ranking.

Win or Go Home in the AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens (01:20, Monday)

This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the last contest of the regular season. With the AFC North and a play-off berth on the line, this is a true win-or-go-home situation.

Pittsburgh have been up and down all year, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in the hunt. Player availability may prove critical: The Steelers may miss star receiver DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's signal-caller Lamar Jackson is questionable with a health issue.

Star rusher Derrick Henry might emerge as the difference-maker for the Ravens in what is set up as a hard-hitting, defensive struggle.

Battle for #1 in the NFC

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

More than just the NFC West is on the line when Seattle travels to the 49ers. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides.

This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, the Seahawks' defense is rated among the best in the NFL.

Seattle quarterback their passer must avoid costly turnovers that have haunted him this year. The team that wins this clash earns a massive advantage for the playoff run.

NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (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 secure the division.

For Carolina it's simple: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the scenario is more complex. Even with a victory, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the divisional championship.

AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs

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

The Denver Broncos hold the cards for the #1 AFC spot. A win over a Chargers team likely to rest key players gets it done.

Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A New England victory coupled with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.

Jacksonville are the dark horse. They require a triumph and losses by both Denver and New England to pull off an unlikely rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jaguars loss could allow them to be overtaken by the Texans in the AFC South.

Full Slate of Final Week Games

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)