The NFL regular season is coming to an end, and the postseason picture is starting to take shape.
This item will be updated to reflect who will be playing in the divisional round and who will receive a bye as teams secure playoff berths and seeds in Week 18.
Only two of the league’s 14 playoff positions were still up for grabs going into Week 18, but a number of seeds were still up in the air until the final games.
This is the current NFL playoff bracket:
NFC
Minnesota Vikings (14-2): With a victory over Detroit (14-2) on Sunday Night Football, the Vikings, who are already guaranteed a postseason berth, can secure the top seed in the conference, the NFC North championship, and the ensuing first-round bye.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown.
Detroit Lions (14-2): If the Lions defeat Minnesota today, they will also secure the NFC North, the top seed, and a bye.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown.
The Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) are the second seed.With their victory over Dallas in Week 17 to capture the NFC East, the Eagles secured this seed.
Playoff opponent: During wild-card weekend, at home against Green Bay.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7): The Buccaneers secured the NFC South and earned a postseason card with a thrilling victory on Sunday that came down to the last seconds. The Falcons would have advanced to the playoffs and eliminated Tampa if Atlanta had triumphed and the Buccaneers had lost.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown.
Washington Commanders (12-5): The Commanders defeated Dallas in the second half on Sunday to secure the No. 6 spot in the NFC. In the divisional round, they will play at Tampa Bay or the Los Angeles Rams; if the Rams win, the Commanders will travel to L.A.; if they lose, they will travel to Tampa.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown.
Green Bay Packers, seeded seventh (11-6): In addition to ending an 11-game winning streak over the Bears, the Packers’ last-minute loss to Chicago on Sunday guaranteed Green Bay would receive the final playoff berth.
Playoff opponent: On wild-card weekend in Philadelphia.
More from Sports
-
The Olympic gold medalist with high school homework to finish
-
LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan s record for 30-point games with his 563rd
-
Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler suspended for 7 games
AFC
No. 1 seed: Kansas City Chiefs (15-1): The Chiefs had already secured the AFC’s No. 1 top slot and their seventh straight AFC West title before they even played on Sunday.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown.
Second-seeded Buffalo Bills (13-4): The AFC East champions’ loss to New England in Week 18 had no bearing on their seed.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown.
No. 3 seed: Baltimore Ravens (12-5): The Ravens’ victory over Cleveland on Saturday, which won the AFC North, guaranteed them their spot.
Playoff opponent: Still up in the air, as everything depends on how the Chargers do in their regular-season finale. The Ravens will host another Harbaugh Bowl between siblings and coaches Jim and John Harbaugh if the Chargers win on Sunday. The Ravens will host Pittsburgh in their third meeting this season if the Chargers lose.
No. 4 seed: Houston Texans (10-7): Having already won the AFC South, the Texans defeated Tennessee in Week 18.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown. In the wild-card round, Houston will host either the Chargers or the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): The Steelers are in the postseason, but after Sunday’s Chargers game in Las Vegas, they won’t know their opponent or seed. They might end up as the fifth or sixth seed.
The opponent for the playoffs is still unknown.
Los Angeles Chargers (10-6): Although their opponent was unknown, the Chargers knew they were already in the playoffs going into their Week 18 road game in Las Vegas.
Their playoff opponent is still to be decided, however if they receive the fifth seed, they can only face Houston away from home, or if they receive the sixth seed, they can only play Baltimore away from home.
Who will get the last AFC playoff berth?
Denver Broncos (9-7): A win over Kansas City on Sunday would guarantee the Broncos the last slot.
Miami Dolphins (8-8): With a victory and a defeat by Denver, the Dolphins can secure a postseason berth.
Cincinnati Bengals (9-8): The Bengals maintained their slender playoff hopes by defeating Pittsburgh on Saturday, winning their fifth straight game. Denver must lose and Miami must lose or tie in order to qualify.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!