Check out the full playoff scenarios here.
AFC playoffs
Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson and company can clinch the AFC North with a victory against the Cleveland Browns or a defeat by the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. Each of these games are on Saturday. The Ravens already clinched a playoff berth.
The regular-season finale will decide if the Ravens are hosting as the AFC’s No. 3 seed or traveling to the Houston Texans on wild-card weekend as the No. 5-seeded wild card.
If the Ravens win the AFC North, they will host either the Los Angeles Chargers or Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers: They still have a shot at the AFC North crown if they defeat the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday and the Baltimore Ravens lose to the visiting Cleveland Browns.
Pittsburgh already clinched a playoff berth. The regular-season finale will decide if they’re hosting as division champions during wild-card weekend or on the road as a fifth or sixth-seeded wild-card team.
If the Steelers win the AFC North, they would host the Los Angeles Chargers in Round 1 of the playoffs. If the Steelers earn the fifth seed, they will visit the Houston Texans. If they fall to the No. 6 seed, they’ll face the rival Ravens.
NFC playoffs
Minnesota Vikings: The NFL schedule makers couldn’t have dreamed it up any better. In the regular-season Sunday night finale, a Vikings victory against the hosting Detroit Lions would deliver Minnesota the North divisional title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home-field advantage throughout the conference’s postseason play.
A defeat in Motown would lock the Vikings into the No. 5 wild-card seed, which would put them on the road in Round 1. Their opponents in this scenario would be either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams or Atlanta Falcons.
Los Angeles Rams: As NFC West champs, L.A. enters Sunday vs. the Seattle Seahawks with a chance to clinch the No. 3 seed with a victory. A Week 18 defeat wouldn’t lock the Rams out of the third seed. They can achieve that seeding with a loss if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose against the visiting New Orleans Saints.
A No. 3 seed would mean the Rams would host either the Green Bay Packers or Washington Commanders on wild-card weekend.
The Rams could dip to the No. 4 seed if they lose to the Seahawks and the Buccaneers defeat the Saints.
A No. 4 seed would put the Rams against either the Minnesota Vikings or Detroit Lions in Round 1 of the playoffs.
