NFL Week 18 playoff picture: Clinching scenarios, standings

There are just 14 games remaining in the NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is almost set.

Ten teams have clinched postseason berths, including five in the NFC: theSan Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions,Dallas Cowboysand Los Angeles Rams. In the AFC, theBaltimore Ravens,Miami Dolphins,Cleveland Brownsand Kansas City Chiefsclinched before Week 18, while the Houston Texans are in after they beat the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night.

That means four more spots are on the line Sunday. The playoffs begin Jan. 13. Here is the playoff picture for Week 18, along with the clinching scenarios for the weekend:

More coverage:

Projecting the final seeding

FPI ratings for every team

Projected 2024 draft order

NFL playoff matchups as things stand

AFC

• (7) Pittsburgh Steelersat (2)Miami Dolphins


• (6) Buffalo Billsat (3) Kansas City Chiefs


• (5) Cleveland Brownsat (4) Houston Texans


• Wild-card round bye: (1)Baltimore Ravens

NFC

• (7)Green Bay Packersat (2)Dallas Cowboys


• (6) Los Angeles Rams at (3)Detroit Lions


• (5) Philadelphia Eagles at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers


• Wild-card round bye: (1) San Francisco 49ers

Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios in the AFC

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

The matchup:They won at Baltimoreon Saturday.

How the Steelers can clinch a playoff berth:

• Buffalo loss OR


• Jacksonville loss or tie

Miami Dolphins (11-5)

The matchup: vs. Buffaloon Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

What's at stake: Miami will clinch the AFC East title with a win or tie.

Buffalo Bills (10-6)

The matchup: at Miamion Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

What's at stake: Buffalo will clinch the AFC East title with a win.

How the Bills can clinch a playoff berth:

• Buffalo tie OR



• Jacksonville loss or tie

Jacksonville Jaguars(9-7)

The matchup: at Tennesseeon Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

What's at stake:Jacksonville will clinch the AFC South title with a win, but that's the only way it can get in after Saturday's results.

Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios in the NFC

Dallas Cowboys(11-5)

The matchup: at Washingtonon Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

What's at stake:Dallas clinches the NFC East title with:

• Dallas win OR


• Dallas tie plus Philadelphia tie OR


• Philadelphia loss

Tampa Bay Buccaneers(8-8)

The matchup: at Carolinaon Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

What's at stake:Tampa Bay clinches the NFC South title with:

• Tampa Bay win OR


• Tampa Bay tie plus New Orleans loss or tie

How the Bucs can clinch a playoff berth:

• Tampa Bay tie plus Seattle loss plus Green Bay loss or tie

Atlanta Falcons(7-9)

The matchup: at New Orleanson Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

What's at stake: Atlanta will clinch the NFC South title with a win plus a Tampa Bay loss.

New Orleans Saints(8-8)

The matchup: vs. Atlantaon Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

What's at stake:New Orleans clinches the NFC South title with:

• New Orleans win plus Tampa Bay loss or tie OR


• New Orleans tie plus Tampa Bay loss

How the Saints can clinch a playoff berth:

• New Orleans win plus Seattle loss or tie plus Green Bay loss or tie OR


• New Orleans tie plus Seattle loss plus Green Bay loss

Philadelphia Eagles(11-5)

The matchup: at Giantson Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

What's at stake:Philadelphia clinches the NFC East title with:

• Philadelphia win plus Dallas loss or tie OR


• Philadelphia tie plus Dallas loss

Seattle Seahawks(8-8)

The matchup: at Arizonaon Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

How the Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth:

• Seattle win plus Green Bay loss or tie OR


• Seattle tie plus Green Bay loss plus Tampa Bay loss or tie OR


• Seattle tie plus Green Bay loss plus New Orleans loss or tie

Green Bay Packers(8-8)

The matchup: vs. Chicagoon Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth:

• Green Bay win OR


• Green Bay tie plus Seattle loss or tie plus New Orleans loss or tie OR


• Green Bay tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR


• Green Bay tie plus Seattle tie plus Tampa Bay loss or tie OR


• Minnesota loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR


• Minnesota loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus New Orleans loss

Minnesota Vikings(7-9)

The matchup: at Detroiton Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

How the Vikings can clinch a playoff berth:

• Minnesota win plus Green Bay loss plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss OR


• Minnesota win plus Green Bay loss plus Seattle loss plus New Orleans loss