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NFL

NFL Playoff chances: What each team with options needs in week 18

With five of the 14 postseason spots still up for grabs, we look at the teams who are still in the hunt and what they need to do.

Update:
Dec 31, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) carries the ball against the Washington Commanders during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Brad MillsUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The NFL playoff picture is nearly complete, with nine spots already occupied. The remaining five spots will be hotly contested in the final week of the season, with some divisions so close that multiple scenarios can play out.

Here is the best way that we can break it down.

What is the playoff picture now?

The AFC has the Baltimore Ravens through as the number one seed and they will get a bye to the second round for their reward. Behind them, the Miami Dolphins are the second seed and the Kansas City Chiefs are the third seed. The Cleveland Browns are guaranteed a fifth seed spot and there are still three to be fought over.

Over in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers are the number one and will get a bye while the Dallas Cowboys are the second seed and the Detroit Lions are the third seed. The Philadelphia Eagles have the fifth seed and the LA Rams have the sixth seed with two more spots on offer.

What does everyone need?

If the Dallas Cowboys win, they will remain the second seed, but should they lose they could fall to the fifth seed with an Eagles win.

The Philadelphia Eagles are the opposite side of this coin, needing a win and a Cowboys loss to take over the second seed. A loss will not change their fortunes and they are guaranteed of a fifth seed no matter what.

The Detroit Lions are currently the third seed and a loss will see them remain as such. But a win could possibly see them become the second seed if both the Eagles and Cowboys lose.

The Green Bay Packers are not guaranteed of anything. With a win, they would be in the playoffs, either as the number seven seed or possibly the number six if the Rams lose to the 49ers. A loss complicates matters, and they would need both the Lions and Cardinals to win in order to squeak into the post season.

The Minnesota Vikings are holding on by the skin of their teeth, needing a win over the Lions as well as both the Seahawks and Packers to lose PLUS a win from either the Falcons or Panthers to become the seventh seed. A loss means they are out.

The Tampa Bay Bucs are another team with a tricky road to the playoffs. A loss sees them eliminated, while a win would see them take the division and the number four seed.

The New Orleans Saints are on the same slippery slope, eliminated with a loss. But even a win from the Saints over the Falcons would also require a loss from the Bucs to win the division and the fourth seed. Failing that, a loss by both the Packers and Seahawks would see the Saints slip in as the seventh seed Wild Card.

The Atlanta Falcons are out with a loss to the Saints, but a win puts them in line for the division and fourth seed should the Bucs lose to the Panthers.

The San Francisco 49ers have clinched the top seed and home field advantage, and neither a win nor a loss can change that.

They face the Los Angeles Rams in the final week and should the Rams win, they will clinch the number six seed. With a loss, they will drop to the seven seed, but no scenario sees them out of the playoffs.

The Seattle Seahawks will be eliminated with a loss to the Cardinals but should they win, they could bag the number seven seed if the Bears beat the Packers.

The Miami Dolphins have clinched a berth and if they lose to the Bills, they will be the number six seed. However, a win will see them win the division and take the number two seed.

The Buffalo Bills could win the division and clinch the number two seed with a win over Miami but a loss is problematic. They would be the six or seven seed, or even eliminated if the Steelers and Jaguars both win.

The Baltimore Ravens have clinched the top seed with a bye and home field advantage regardless of the outcome of their final game against the Steelers.

The Cleveland Browns have clinched the fifth seed regardless of the outcome of their final game against the Bengals.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a tricky spot, needing some help on all sides to get into the playoffs. A win over the Ravens PLUS a loss by the Jaguars or the Bills would see them get the sixth or seventh berth. A loss could still see them get in if the Titans and Broncos both win.

The Jacksonville Jaguars can clinch the fourth seed with a win over the Titans but a loss could still get them in with the seventh seed as long as the Ravens and Raiders both win.

The Indianapolis Colts are in a must-win spot, with a loss seeing them out of the post season. With a win over the Texans, however, they will get the six or seven seed if the Jaguars win, or the fourth seed if the Jags lose.

The Houston Texans on the other side of the ball in that matchup will also need a win to get in, with a loss ending their season. Should they beat the Colts, they will have the six or seven seed Jaguars win, or the fourth seed if the Jags lose.

The Kansas City Chiefs play the Chargers but have clinched the third seed no matter the outcome of that game.