Twelve teams have clinched playoff spots, which means two openings remain.
Twelve teams have clinched playoff spots, which means two openings remain.
Just 14 games remain in the 2024 NFL regular season, with Sunday’s Week 18 slate setting up a wild finish to the playoff picture. Twelve teams have clinched postseason spots, leaving an opening apiece in the AFC and NFC, but there’s a lot to be worked out with seeding in both conferences.
The AFC North was settled Saturday, with the Baltimore Ravens beating the Cleveland Browns and clinching with their tiebreaker over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The NFC North title and 1-seed in the NFC is also up for grabs, with the winner of the Minnesota Vikings–Detroit Lions finale getting a first-round bye. The NFC South title also will come down to Sunday’s games.
Here are the clinching scenarios for Week 18, along with projected seeds and matchups from ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI):
More NFL playoff race coverage:
Tracking the playoff picture
FPI ratings for every team
Projected 2025 draft order
Full standings for all 32 teams
Week 18 clinching scenarios in the AFC
Already clinched: Kansas City Chiefs (1-seed), Buffalo Bills (2-seed), Baltimore Ravens (3-seed), Houston Texans (4-seed), Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers
The matchup: lost 19-17 vs. Cincinnati on Saturday
How the Steelers can clinch the 5-seed:
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L.A. Chargers loss at Las Vegas
Pittsburgh could have clinched the 5-seed with a win, but it now must wait to see the outcome of the Chargers’ game against the Raiders.
The matchup: won 19-17 at Pittsburgh on Saturday
How the Bengals can clinch a playoff berth:
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Denver loss vs. Kansas City + Miami loss/tie at N.Y. Jets
The Bengals’ win on Saturday was just the first part of what they needed to get into the playoffs. Now they have to hope for a loss by the Broncos or a loss/tie by the Dolphins.
The matchup: vs. Kansas City on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Broncos can clinch a playoff berth:
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Win/tie OR
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Cincinnati loss/tie at Pittsburgh + Miami loss/tie at N.Y. Jets
The matchup: at N.Y. Jets on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Dolphins can clinch a playoff berth:
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Win + Denver loss vs. Kansas City
Week 18 clinching scenarios in the NFC
Already clinched: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles (2-seed), Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders
The matchup: vs. Carolina on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Falcons can clinch the NFC South:
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Win + Tampa Bay loss vs. New Orleans
The matchup: vs. New Orleans on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Bucs can clinch the NFC South:
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Win/tie OR
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Atlanta loss/tie vs. Carolina
The matchup: vs. Minnesota on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
How the Lions can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage:
The matchup: at Detroit on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
How the Vikings can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage:
AFC seeding chances, per ESPN’s FPI
Heading into Saturday’s games:
No. 1: KC
No. 2: BUF
No. 3: BAL 94.6%; PIT 5.4%
No. 4: HOU
No. 5: PIT 67.7%; LAC 26.9%; BAL 5.4%
No. 6: LAC 73.1%; PIT 26.9%
No. 7: DEN 64.3%; MIA 25.3%; CIN 10.4%
NFC seeding chances, per ESPN’s FPI
Heading into Saturday’s games:
No. 1: DET 65.2%; MIN 34.8%
No. 2: PHI
No. 3: LAR 65.9%; TB 34.1%
No. 4: TB 50.1%; LAR 34.1%; ATL 15.8%
No. 5: MIN 65.2%; DET 24.8%
No. 6: WSH 73.9%; GB 26.1%
No. 7: GB 73.9%; WSH 26.1%
Projected NFL playoff bracket, per ESPN’s FPI
AFC
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(7) Denver Broncos at (2) Buffalo Bills
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(6) Los Angeles Chargers at (3) Baltimore Ravens
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(5) Pittsburgh Steelers at (4) Houston Texans
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Wild-card round bye: (1) Kansas City Chiefs
NFC
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(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Philadelphia Eagles
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(6) Washington Commanders at (3) Los Angeles Rams
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(5) Minnesota Vikings at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Wild-card round bye: (1) Detroit Lions
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