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All NFL Playoff Scenarios for Week 18

Nov 6, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) rolls out of the pocket against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

The final day of the NFl regular season is upon us. All 32 teams play their final game of the 2022 season on Sunday January 8th, with some teams still a lot to play for.

Currently six teams in each conference have clinched a playoff spot, with the seventh seed and final wild card spot on the line. Here are the playoff scenarios that could unfold on Sunday.

AFC

Now that the NFL has canceled the Bills-Bengals game following the tragic accident with Damar Hamlin, there will be some unprecedented scenarios in the playoffs leading to games at neutral grounds in some scenarios. For now, the ranking will be determined as it normally is.

The Kansas City Chiefs currently hold the number one spot with a record of 13-3. They will clinch the number 1 seed and first round bye with a win against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Buffalo Bills are 12-3 and currently hold the number two seed. They can outright take the 1 seed with a win against the New England Patriots and a Kansas City loss against the Raiders. The Bills beat the Chiefs in Week 6 so hold the head to head, which means that if the Chiefs keep the 1 seed with a win and the Bills beat the Patriots, if they face each other in the playoffs, the game will be held at a neutral ground.

The Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) have known won the AFC North due to their games cancellation. They cannot grab the number one seed, but can play a neutral AFC Championship game against the Chiefs if both the Bills and Chiefs lose on Sunday and the Bengals win. Also, if the Bengals lose to the Ravens and the Chargers win, the Bengals and Ravens will meet in the wild card round and the site of the game will be determined by a coin flip. Since the Ravens would have swept the Bengals and could have won the AFC North with the same record, they would have held the home field advantage. A lot of interesting scenarios at play going into the playoffs here.

Dec 24, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass against the New England Patriots during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Jacksonville Jaguars currently hold the four spot as leaders of the AFC South. But they play the Titans who, if they win, will win the division to take the number four seed. If they lose, Jacksonville can still get the seven seed with the Steelers, Dolphins, and Patriots all losing on Sunday.

The fifth seed belongs to the Los Angeles Chargers, who play the Broncos. They have already clinched and will either be the five or six seed.

The Baltimore Ravens have the sixth seed and as stated earlier, can win and force a coin flip for home field in a wild card matchup against division rivals the Bengals, provided a Chargers win. If not, they’ll face the Titans or Jaguars.

Four teams have a chance at grabbing the final spot in the AFC, currently held by the Patriots. New England will advance with a win against the New York Jets, or loses by the Dolphins, Steelers, and a win/tie from the Jaguars. The Miami Dolphins have the next best chance with a win and a Patriots lose, though they do have to beat the Buffalo Bills. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a slight chance after a mid season turnaround. They can advance with a win against the Browns and losses from the Patriots and Dolphins. The fourth team that can clinch the seven seed is the Jaguars if all four of these teams lose on Sunday. The Tennessee Titans cannot clinch a wild card spot.

Jan 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) reacts as he leaves the field after the win against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

As it stands (with Week 18 matchup):

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) vs Las Vegas Raiders
Buffalo Bills (12-3) vs New England Patriots
Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) vs Baltimore Ravens
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) vs Tennessee Titans
Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) vs Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens (10-6) vs Cincinnati Bengals
New England Patriots (8-8) vs Buffalo Bills

In the Hunt:

Miami Dolphins (8-8) vs New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) vs Cleveland Browns

Tennessee Titans (7-9) vs Jacksonville Jaguars

NFC

The NFC doesn’t face unprecedented scenarios like the AFC, but there is still a lot to play for across the conference. Here are the scenarios going into the last weekend.

The Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) have lost their last two without Jalen Hurts, but he stands to play on Sunday. The Eagles will clinch the NFC East with a win or a Dallas loss and can grab the number one overall seed with a win or losses from Dallas and San Francisco.

The 49ers sit in second currently at 12-4. They have won their division and can clinch the number one seed with a win against the Cardinals and a loss from the Eagles.

The Minnesota Vikings have clinched the NFC North. After losing to Green Bay last week, they can’t grab the number one seed, but can get the 2 seed with a win against the Bears and a San Francisco loss.

Comfortably in the fourth seed are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who clinched the NFC South.

The Cowboys can still grab the number one seed, despite sitting in second in the NFC East and currently the fifth seed in the NFC. They can win the East with a win and a loss from the Eagles and can clinch the number one seed with those two results plus a loss from San Francisco.

The six seed belongs to the New York Giants after an impressive season. They hold the six seed and wait to see their opponent in the wild card round.

The seventh seed currently belongs to the Seattle Seahawks who showed their strength without Russell Wilson this season. Though Green Bay is in control of their own destiny. The Packers clinch the seven seed with a win against the Lions. Seattle needs a win and a Packers loss to clinch. The final team in the hunt are the Detroit Lions who need a win against the Packers and a Seattle loss to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.