NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
There is only one game left in the regular season for each team. NFLbut for some, how Week 18 ends will determine their playoff berth.
Looking at NFL Playoff ImageThere are only two more playoff spots left to clinch, one in each conference.
And Week 18 is all about the AFC North and NFC South titles.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Carolina Panthers defensive back Bryce Young (9) warms up on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium on October 12, 2025. (Corey Knowlton/Imagn Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens will go head-to-head at Acresure Stadium on Sunday night to determine who will be the final seed in the AFC.
Then on Saturday night, the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will duel to see who will be crowned the NFC South champion.
Even though there are only two playoff spots left, there are still many different seeding situations that will cause teams to miss out on the postseason in their final game of the year.
STEELERS' AARON ROGERS RESPONSIBLY RESPONSES TO BROWNS SPORTS LOSS NO CALL
Before we look at each playoff scenario in Week 18, here are the playoff teams already scheduled for January.
AFK
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Houston Texans
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Buffalo Bills
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks
- Chicago Bears
- Philadelphia Eagles
- San Francisco 49ers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers
AFC PLAYOFF SCENARIOS
Broncos (13-3) vs. Chargers (11-5)
The Broncos will get the No. 1 seed in the AFC, home-field advantage and a first-round bye if they beat the Chargers on Sunday.
If that doesn't happen, they'll need the Patriots and Jaguars to lose their games. A tie with Denver and a loss or tie for the Patriots would also make them the top seed.
Denver Broncos cornerback Bo Nix rolls out while attempting to throw a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Patriots (13-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
The Patriots are hoping for a chance to take first place as they need a loss to the Broncos to do so.
Jaguars (12-4) vs. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
The Jaguars will not only get first place, but also the AFC South title if they win and the Broncos and Patriots lose their games. Jacksonville will win the division if they win or the Texans lose their game.
Texans (11-5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Houston only has eyes on the AFC South title, and they'll need a win and a loss to Jacksonville to do so. They currently own the fifth seed in the AFC, meaning they will face the winner of the AFC North in the Wild Card round.
Steelers (9-7) vs. Ravens (8-8)
After a road loss to the Cleveland Browns and a Ravens win over the Packers, the Steelers found themselves needing to win at home if they wanted to make the playoffs.
Bye Aaron Rodgers Hoping to make a run in what could be his final season in the NFL, Lamar Jackson and company have the same goal on Sunday. They were able to get help from the Browns after Derrick Henry threw for four touchdowns.
Either team would end up as the No. 4 seed in the AFC depending on who wins.
NFC PLAYOFF SCENARIO
49ers (12-4) — Seahawks (13-3)
This is a game worth keeping an eye on in the NFC as both teams have the opportunity to earn the top seed in the conference to earn a first round bye as well as home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Combine FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX news, sports and entertainment for the lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The 49ers, led by Brock Purdy, have won six games in a row. However, Sam Darnold and the Seahawks repeated that winning streak. The Seahawks currently hold a one-game lead in their win-loss record, but the 49ers will win the tiebreaker if they win on Sunday.
Panthers (8-8) vs. Buccaneers (7-9)
The NFC South hasn't been the strongest division this season, but it all comes down to one final game to see who finishes fourth in the NFC.
The Panthers dispatched the Buccaneers in their opener, but the Buccaneers own the tiebreaker in regulation games. So it's a win-win scenario for both teams.
Follow Fox News Digital sports reporting on X and subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
