It's Week 18 of the NFL season and we have a historic Sunday slate of games ahead of us. There are 19 teams still alive for the Super Bowl entering Sunday's games and five of those teams will be eliminated by the end of the night.
The NFL playoff picture is littered with possibilities. We have several win-and-get-in scenarios between division rivals, but there will also be plenty of scoreboard watching from teams that need a bit of help to make their postseason dreams come true.
Here's a look at the playoff picture, including odds to make the postseason, clinching scenarios and projected seeding entering this weekend's games.
Note: Clinching data courtesy of Joe Ferreira (@JoeNFL on Twitter)Â
Playoff Picture |
Clinching Scenarios |
Playoff Odds |
NFL Playoff Picture, Odds | Week 18 Clinching Scenarios
Here's a look at the NFL playoff picture entering Sunday. The Ravens and 49ers have already clinched the top seeds in each conference. If the season ends with the standings as they are today, the remaining 12 teams listed would make the Wild Card round.
AFC Projected Bracket
No. 2 | No. 7 |
No. 3 | No. 6 |
No. 4 | No. 5 |
Clinched BYE |
- Either the Dolphins or Bills will win be the No. 2 seed by virtue of winning AFC East on Sunday Night Football. If the Dolphins lose, they are automatically the No. 6 seed. If the Bills lose, they will either clinch the No. 6 seed or No. 7 seed.
- The Chiefs are locked into the No. 3 seed in the AFC and will either face the Dolphins, Bills, or Steelers
- The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed and will face the Texans in Houston.
- The Texans clinched a playoff spot Saturday and can won the division and the No. 4 with the Jaguars' loss.
NFC Projected Bracket
No. 2 | No. 7 |
No. 3 | No. 6 |
No. 4 | No. 5 |
Clinched BYE |
- The Lions will end up as the No. 3 seed unless the the Cowboys and Eagles both lose.
- The Eagles can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win and a Cowboys loss.
- The Rams could fall into the No. 7 seed with a loss and a Packers win.
Playoff Clinching Scenarios
AFC Teams
How Can the Dolphins Win the AFC East?
- Dolphins clinch the AFC East and No. 2 seed with a win or tie vs. the Bills.
How Can the Bills Make the Playoffs?
- Bills clinch the AFC East and the No. 2 seed with a win vs. Dolphins.
- Update: Bills make the playoffs as the No. 6 seed with a tie.
- Update: Bills make the playoffs as the No. 7 seed with a loss.
How Can the Jaguars Make the Playoffs?
- Update: Jaguars are eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Titans.
How Can the Colts Make the Playoffs?
- Update:Colts are eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Texans.
How Can the Texans Make the Playoffs?
- Update: The Texans clinched the AFC South with a win against the Colts and the Jaguars' loss to the Titans.
How Can the Steelers Make the Playoffs?
- Update: Steelers clinched a playoff spot with the Jaguars' loss to the Titans.
- Update: Steelers can clinch the No. 6 seed with a Bills loss.
- Update: Steelers can clinch the No. 7 seed with a Bills win or tie.
NFC Teams
How Can the Cowboys Win the NFC East?
- Update: Cowboys clinched the NFC East with a win against the Commanders.
How Can the Eagles Win the NFC East?
- Update: Eagles fall to the No. 5 seed with their loss against the Giants.
How Can the Buccaneers Make the Playoffs?
- Update: Buccaneers clinched the NFC South and the No. 4 seed with a win against the Panthers.
How Can the Saints Make the Playoffs?
- Update: Saints are eliminated from playoff contention with the Packers' win.
How Can the Falcons Make the Playoffs?
- Update: Falcons are eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Saints.
How Can the Seahawks Make the Playoffs?
- Update: Seahawks are eliminated from the playoffs with the Packers' win.
How Can the Vikings Make the Playoffs?
- Update: Vikings are eliminated from playoff contention after losing to the Lions.