NFL Playoff-Clinching Scenarios for Week 18: NFL Playoff Picture

We have reached Week 18 of the NFL regular season — it all comes down to this for many teams. There will be teams vying for a playoff spot during Week 18, as well as others who will be trying to improve their playoff seeding.

Below, we’ll go through the NFL Playoff picture ahead of Week 18, including all of the Playoff-Clinching scenarios for this week.

The final week of the regular season also means our final full slate of games. Get in on the NFL DFS action for Week 18 on PrizePicks and win real money by picking more or less on player stat projections.

AFC Playoff-Clinching Scenarios | NFC Playoff-Clinching Scenarios

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AFC Playoff-Clinching Scenarios Week 18

Already Clinched: Teams with Nothing to Play For

Kansas City Chiefs – Have already clinched the #1 seed in the AFC.

Buffalo Bills – Have already clinched the #2 seed in the AFC.

Houston Texans – Have already clinched the #4 seed in the AFC.

Los Angeles Chargers — Have already clinched an AFC Wild Card spot.

Already Clinched Playoff Spot: Division Title Still In Play

Baltimore Ravens – vs. Cleveland Browns, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET

The Ravens have already clinched a playoff spot, but they can also win the AFC North with a win or a tie against the Browns. They would also clinch the AFC North if the Steelers lose or tie against the Bengals.

Pittsburgh Steelers – vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET

The Steelers have already clinched a playoff spot. They can also win the AFC North with a win over the Bengals and a Ravens loss to the Browns.

Trying To Clinch A Playoff Spot

Denver Broncos – vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie against the Chiefs. They could also clinch a playoff spot if the Bengals lose or tie against the Steelers and the Dolphins lose or tie against the Jets. If they win, they’ll be the final AFC Wild Card team.

Miami Dolphins – at New York Jets, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

The Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Broncos loss to the Chiefs.

Cincinnati Bengals – at Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET

The Bengals can clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Steelers, a Broncos loss to the Chiefs, and a Dolphins loss or tie against the Jets.

NFC Playoff-Clinching Scenarios Week 18

Already Clinched: Teams With Nothing to Play For

Philadelphia Eagles – Have already clinched the #2 seed in the NFC

Los Angeles Rams — Have already clinched the NFC West; need win to secure #3 seed

Washington Commanders — Have already clinched an NFC Wild Card spot

Green Bay Packers — Have already clinched an NFC Wild Card spot

Already Clinched: Division Title Still In Play

Detroit Lions – vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

The Lions have already clinched a playoff spot, but they can also clinch the NFC North and the #1 seed in the NFC with a win over the Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings – at Detroit Lions, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

The Vikings have already clinched a playoff spot. They can clinch the NFC North and the #1 seed in the NFC with a win over the Lions.

Trying To Clinch A Playoff Spot

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

The Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South with a win or a tie against the Saints — they control their own destiny. They can also clinch the division if the Falcons lose or tie against the Panthers.

Atlanta Falcons – vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

The Falcons can clinch the NFC South with a win against the Panthers and a Buccaneers loss against the Saints.

Important Week 18 Games for NFL Playoff Clinching Scenarios

Here are the games with Playoff clinching implications in NFL Week 18, with details for each.

• Browns vs. Ravens — Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET — The Ravens win the AFC North with a win or tie.
• Bengals vs. Steelers — Saturday, 8 p.m. ET — The Steelers win the AFC North with a win and a Ravens loss. The Bengals need a win to stay alive in the AFC Wild Card, followed by a Broncos and Dolphins loss on Sunday/
• Panthers vs. Falcons — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET — The Falcons need to win and the Bucs to lose to the Saints to win the NFC South. Otherwise, they are eliminated.
• Saints vs. Bucs — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET — The Bucs just need to win to secure the NFC South. With a loss and a Falcons win, they’re eliminated. With a win and a Rams loss to the Seahawks, they’ll become the #3 seed.
• Chiefs vs. Broncos — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET — The Broncos just need to win to clinch a Playoff spot. The Chiefs are expected to rest their starters with nothing to play for.
• Seahawks vs. Rams — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET — The Rams just need to win to lock up the #3 seed over the Bucs.
• Dolphins  vs. Jets — Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET — The Dolphins need a win and a Broncos loss to secure the final AFC Wild Card spot.
• Vikings vs. Lions — Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET — Winner will win the NFC North and the #1 seed in the NFC. Loser will be the top NFC Wild Card team.

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Build Your Week 18 NFL DFS Lineup on PrizePicks

There will be plenty of playoff implications on the table for Week 18. These playoff clinching scenarios highlight the games that matter most in the final week of the NFL season.

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There are no salary constraints, so pick two or more projections for your favorite players, finalize your lineup, sit back, and enjoy the games.