The final week of the 2024 NFL season is upon us, and there is still plenty to play for.
The playoff picture is starting to come into form with one weekend of regular season football remaining. Out of the 14 available spots in the postseason, 12 have been clinched by teams. The seeding may still need to be sorted out, but each conference has just one more spot up for grabs.
Per usual, Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season is set to make for a chaotic finish, as control of various seeds in both the AFC and NFC playoff races figure to change hands frequently throughout the NFL’s loaded weekend slate.
Which teams have the inside track to make the postseason? Here’s what to know about the NFL’s playoff picture, tiebreakers and elimination scenarios as Week 18 results come in.
This article will be updated periodically to reflect the latest news, updates and results from around the NFL.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
NFL playoff standings Week 18
AFC playoff picture
In the hunt: Dolphins, Bengals
NFC playoff picture
In the hunt: Falcons
NFL tiebreakers, explained
Here’s a look at the tiebreakers that determine which teams have the advantage over the other in the NFL playoff race.
AFC tiebreakers
- The Steelers own the No. 5 seed over the Chargers by virtue of their head-to-head victory over Los Angeles in Week 3.
NFC tiebreakers
- The Lions own the No. 1 seed and the lead in the NFC North over the Vikings by virtue of their head-to-head victory over Minnesota in Week 7.
- The Commanders own the No. 6 seed over the Packers by virtue of best win percentage in conference games — Washington is 8-3 while Green Bay is 6-5.
MORE NFL WEEK 18:
NFL clinching scenarios Week 18
AFC
Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Games remaining: vs. Browns
Baltimore can clinch the AFC North with a win or tie over Cleveland on Saturday, or a Pittsburgh loss or tie to Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)
Games remaining: vs. Bengals
Pittsburgh can clinch the AFC North title with a win over Cincinnati AND a Baltimore loss to Cleveland.
Denver Broncos
Games remaining: vs. Chiefs
Denver can clinch a playoff spot in the AFC with a win or tie over Kansas City, or losses/ties by both Miami and Cincinnati.
Miami Dolphins
Games remaining: at Jets
Miami can clinch a playoff spot in the AFC with a win over New York AND a Denver loss to Kansas City.
Cincinnati Bengals
Games remaining: at Steelers
Cincinnati can clinch a playoff spot in the AFC with a win over Pittsburgh AND a Denver loss to Kansas City AND a Miami loss or tie to New York.
NFC
Detroit Lions
Games remaining: vs. Vikings
Detroit can clinch the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings
Games remaining: at Lions
Minnesota can clinch the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win over Detroit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Games remaining: vs. Saints
Tampa Bay can clinch the NFC South with a win or tie over New Orleans, or an Atlanta loss or tie to Carolina.
Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Games remaining: vs. Panthers
Atlanta can clinch the NFC South with a win over Carolina AND a Tampa Bay loss to New Orleans.
MORE: Full breakdown of the NFL’s 2025 Pro Bowl rosters
NFL elimination scenarios Week 18
There are 17 teams still in postseason contention entering Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season. Three will be eliminated ahead of the 14-team playoff.
Here’s what to know about the elimination scenarios for each team.
AFC
Entering Week 18, there is one playoff spot up for grabs in the AFC and three teams vying for them.
The Broncos can be eliminated with a loss to the Chiefs and a win by either the Dolphins or the Bengals.
The Dolphins can be eliminated with a loss or tie to the Jets, or a Broncos’ win or tie over the Chiefs. Miami needs to beat New York and Denver to lose to make the playoffs.
The Bengals can be eliminated with a loss or tie to the Steelers, a Broncos’ win or tie over the Chiefs, or a Dolphins’ win over the Jets. Cincinnati needs to beat Pittsburgh and both Denver and Miami to lose in order to make the playoffs.
For the full details on the AFC elimination scenarios, click here.
NFC
Entering Week 18, there is just one playoff spot up for grabs in the NFC — the winner of the NFC South. With two teams eyeing the spot, it puts both at risk of elimination this weekend.
The Falcons can be eliminated from playoff contention with a tie or loss to the Panthers, or a Buccaneers’ win or tie over the Saints. This would guarantee Tampa Bay wins the NFC South.
The Buccaneers can be eliminated with a loss to the Saints and a win for the Falcons over the Panthers. This would allow Atlanta to jump ahead of Tampa Bay into the top spot of the NFC South, winning the division.
For the full details on the NFC elimination scenarios, click here.
NFL DRAFT NEWS:
