This is how NFL Week 18 looks: games, schedule and Playoff scenarios

The 2024 NFL postseason is beginning to take form, but the final two spots and the positioning of several teams remain undecided. The league strategically scheduled Week 18 so that the fate of key franchises won’t be known until the very last moment.

NFL Playoff teams locked in place

Some teams have secured their positions regardless of Week 18 outcomes:

• Kansas City Chiefs: Locked in as the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
• Buffalo Bills: Secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
• Philadelphia Eagles: Fixed at No. 2 in the NFC, with Minnesota and Detroit battling for the top spot.

AFC North title race

The AFC North will be decided on Saturday, January 4:

1. Cleveland Browns vs Baltimore Ravens (4:30 p.m. ET)
   1. A Ravens win guarantees them the division title.
2. Cincinnati Bengals vs Pittsburgh Steelers (8:15 p.m. ET) at Acrisure Stadium:
   1. Bengals: Need a win and losses by the Denver Broncos (to the Chiefs) and the Miami Dolphins (to the Jets) to make the playoffs.
   2. Steelers: Must beat the Bengals and hope the Browns defeat the Ravens to claim the AFC North crown.

In the event that the Broncos, Dolphins, and Bengals all lose, Denver would secure the seventh AFC playoff spot by default.

NFC showdown: Lions vs Vikings for the No. 1 seed

The highlight of Week 18 is the Sunday Night Football showdown between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings. This game will determine:

• NFC North Champion
• No. 1 Seed in the NFC

The losing team will drop to the fifth seed and face a road game against either the NFC South champion or the Los Angeles Rams.

Final NFC Playoff spots

• NFC South Title: Decided in Week 18 between:
  • Atlanta Falcons vs Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET)

If the season ended today, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers would claim the division and advance to the postseason.

Commanders vs Packers positioning:

• Washington Commanders: Currently sixth but must win against the Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m. ET) to hold their spot.
• Green Bay Packers: Currently seventh and host the Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET) in their season finale, looking to leapfrog Washington.

The final week promises high-stakes action as teams fight for their playoff lives and crucial seeding positions.