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NFL playoff picture: Latest permutations ahead of Week 18

The final week of the 2024/25 NFL regular season is upon us and the line-up for the playoffs is nearly complete.

In the AFC, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs have clinched the No.1 seed and only one spot remains for the postseason, while in the NFC there is a little more to play for with divisional titles on the line.

We take a look at the latest permutations for the NFL playoffs.

AFC playoff picture

Six teams have clinched a playoff spot prior to the final week with one berth remaining in the AFC.

Boasting a 15-1 record, the Kansas City Chiefs are confirmed No.1 seeds, meaning their spot in the divisional round is secured.

The Buffalo Bills have sealed the No 2 seed, which means they will get home games all the way to New Orleans, unless the AFC Championship clash is against their old nemesis, Kansas City.

Houston Texans clinched the AFC South title, while the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are still battling it out for the AFC North, though both teams are locked in for the playoffs.

In Week 17, the Los Angeles Charges secured their wild card spot with a comprehensive win over the New England Patriots.

Playoff spot confirmed

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1 - 1st AFC West)
  2. Buffalo Bills (13-3 - 1st AFC East)
  3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5 - 1st AFC North)
  4. Houston Texans (9-7 - 1st AFC South)
  5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6 - 2nd AFC North)
  6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6 - 2nd AFC West)
  7. TBC

In the hunt for the playoffs

Three teams remain in contention for the final wild card spot in the AFC.

Denver Broncos are currently in the driving seat and know a win against a second-string Kansas City Chiefs will secure their place in the postseason.

Still in with a chance is the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals, who are both relying on the Chiefs doing them a favour.

If the Broncos lose and both the Dolphins and Bengals win, the Dolphins will claim the final wild card spot as they have the tiebreaker over the Broncos and Bengals.

Win

Lose

  1. Denver Broncos (9-7)

Reach playoffs

Reach playoffs if Miami and Cincinnati lose or tie

  1. Miami Dolphins (8-8)

Reach playoffs if Denver lose

Eliminated

  1. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)

Reach playoffs if Denver lose and Miami lose or tie

Eliminated

Eliminated from playoff contention

  • Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
  • New York Jets (4-12)
  • Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
  • Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
  • Cleveland Browns (3-13)
  • Tennessee Titans (3-13)
  • New England Patriots (3-13)

NFC playoff picture

Like the AFC, only one playoff spot remains in the NFC and that will be awarded to the winner of the NFC South.

It's a shootout for the NFC North title between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, with the two teams set to clash at Ford Field in Week 18. The winner of that contest will clinch No.1 seed, providing themselves with a direct passage to the divisional round.

The Lions and Vikings are two of three teams from the North division who will feature in the postseason after the Green Bay Packers clinched a wild card spot in Week 17.

In the NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles claimed top spot and have locked in the No.2 seed. They're joined by divisional rivals Washington Commanders, who secured their first postseason appearance since 2020/21 with an overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Los Angeles Rams are also there after topping the NFC West.

Playoff spot confirmed

  1. Detroit Lions (14-2 - 1st NFC North)
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3 - 1st NFC East)
  3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6 - 1st NFC West)
  4. TBC
  5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2 - 2nd NFC North)
  6. Washington Commanders (11-5 - 2nd NFC East)
  7. Green Bay Packers (11-5 - 3rd NFC North)

In the hunt for the playoffs

The final playoff spot will be awarded to one of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons as the pair battle for the NFC South title.

A win for Tampa Bay in their final match of the regular season against the New Orleans Saints will see them advance, while Atlanta know only a win over the Carolina Panthers will suffice if they're to have any chance of reaching the playoffs.

If the Buccaneers slip up, a Falcons victory will see them compete in the postseason.

Win

Lose

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)

Reach playoffs

Reach playoffs if Atlanta lose or tie

  1. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

Reach playoffs if Tampa Bay lose

Eliminated

Eliminated from playoff contention

  • Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
  • Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
  • Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
  • San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
  • New Orleans Saints (5-11)
  • Carolina Panthers (4-12)
  • Chicago Bears (4-12)
  • New York Giants (3-13)

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