NFL playoff scenarios: Breaking down which Week 18 games actually matter from Vikings-Lions to Bills-Dolphins

The last Sunday of NFL the regular season is always exciting. Division titles are on the line and final playoff spots are about to be clinched, as changing the channel will be essential to watching the all-important games.

Week 18 is already shaping up to be a memorable one in NFL history. Twenty teams left super bowl (televised by CBS and broadcast via Paramount+) dispute entering the final week, tied for the most with one week remaining in a full season (2006). Five playoff spots are unclaimed, with the most entering the final week since there were seven in 2020. Four division titles are undecided, with the most entering a season finale since it there were also four in 2014.

Which Sunday games matter for the playoffs? We have what you need:

Is this game important? Yes (for the Buccaneers)

The Buccaneers must win this game to clinch the NFC South. This is essentially a win for the Buccaneers, who miss the playoffs entirely with a loss. A Tampa Bay loss means the winner of New Orleans and Atlanta wins the NFC South.

Is this game important? No.

The Browns are locked into the AFC's No. 5 seed and will be the starters by rest. The Bengals are eliminated from the playoffs.

Is this game important? Yes

The Vikings are still alive in the race for the final playoff spot, but just barely. Minnesota needs a win against Detroit in Week 18 and a lot of help to make the playoffs. The Vikings arrive with a victory, sea ​​hawks loss, Packers loss and a loss either by the Saints or Buccaneers. If the Packers, Buccaneers, Saints or Seahawks win, the Vikings are eliminated.

The No. 2 seed is still in play for the Lions, who are currently the No. 3 seed. The Lions can be seeded No. 2 with a victory, Cowboys loss, and Eagles loss. They are seeded No. 3 if they lose or if the Cowboys or Eagles win.

Is this game important? No.

The Jets and Patriots are eliminated from the playoffs. The Patriots could get the second pick in the event of a loss and Commanders earn.

Is this game important? Yes

The NFC South is on the line for both teams, with the Buccaneers playing simultaneously. If the Buccaneers lose, the winner of the Saints and Falcons game will win the NFC South. The Falcons are eliminated from the playoffs with a Buccaneers victory.

The Saints can clinch a playoff spot with a win, a Buccaneers win, a Packers loss and a Seahawks loss. They are eliminated from the playoffs with a Buccaneers loss or win and a Packers win or a Buccaneers and Seahawks win.

Is this game important? Yes (for the Jaguars)

Jaguars take AFC South with victory no matter who wins Colts And Texans match Saturday. The Jaguars miss the playoffs with a loss.

The Steelers also need the Jaguars to lose to make the playoffs (or the Bills).

Seahawks at Cardinals4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

Is this game important? Yes (for the Seahawks)

The Seahawks need a win and a little help to get into the playoffs, but the formula is pretty simple. They need a win and a Packers loss to make the playoffs. Seattle is eliminated in the event of a defeat or victory for Green Bay.

The Packers, Vikings and Saints will also watch this game (if the Packers lose).

Bear at Packers, 4:25 p.m. (ET), CBS, Paramount+

Is this game important? Yes (for the Packers)

The Packers need a win against the Bears to clinch a playoff spot, the last in the NFC. They can still make the playoffs with a loss, but need a Seahawks loss, a Vikings loss, and a Saints or Buccaneers loss.

The Seahawks, Vikings and Saints will watch this game.

Is this game important? No.

The Chiefs clinched the third seed in the AFC, so Patrick Mahomes and the other starters will rest with the wild card round next week. The Chargers are eliminated from the playoffs.

Is this game important? No.

The Broncos and Raiders are eliminated from the playoffs. The game had a certain meaning for the Steelers if they lost on Saturday, but the Steelers won, then they don't need a Broncos win.

Eagles at giants4:25 p.m. (ET), CBS, Paramount+

Is this game important? Yes (for the Eagles)

The Eagles are currently the No. 5 seed in the NFC, but can win the NFC East with a win and a Cowboys loss. In this scenario, the Eagles get the second seed. The Eagles will be the No. 5 seed with a win or loss by the Cowboys.

The Lions also need the Eagles (and Cowboys) to lose to get the second seed.

Rams has 49ers4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

Is this game important? No.

San Francisco and Los Angeles will start with alternate quarterbacks. The 49ers have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the Rams have clinched a wild card spot and cannot win their division or advance in wild card priority given that the second seed in the NFC East will be ranked ahead of them. .

Cowboys at Commanders, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

Is this game important? Yes (for the Cowboys)

The Cowboys clinch the NFC East with a victory. If the Cowboys lose and the Eagles win, Dallas will be the No. 5 seed. Dallas can also win the NFC East with a loss and a loss at Philadelphia.

The Lions also need the Cowboys (and Eagles) to lose to get the second seed.

Is this game important? Yes

The winner of this game wins the AFC East. A Bills win gives them the second seed in the AFC, but other scenarios are in play if the Bills lose. Buffalo clinches a playoff spot with a loss at Jacksonville thanks to Pittsburgh's victory over Baltimore.

The Dolphins have a playoff spot, but they will clinch the AFC East — and the No. 2 seed — with a win. Miami clinches the No. 6 seed with a loss.

The Steelers also need the Bills to lose to make the playoffs (if the Jaguars win).



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