NFL playoff scenarios, stakes for each postseason-bound and postseason-hopeful team heading into Week 18

AFC playoffs

Kansas City Chiefs: They are the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, an honor that gives them a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the conference’s postseason action. The Chiefs are not playing for anything in the regular-season finale at the Denver Broncos, so expect two weeks’ worth of rest for Patrick Mahomes.

Buffalo Bills: They visit the New England Patriots in the regular-season finale with nothing to gain. The Bills secured the AFC’s No. 2 seed, so they’ll host the worst conference wild-card team during wild-card weekend. That postseason opponent could be the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins or Cincinnati Bengals.

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.

Houston Texans: Nothing is on the line for the Texans in Week 18 vs. the Tennessee Titans. The Texans clinched the AFC South in Week 15, but couldn’t improve their seeding the rest of the regular season. As the conference’s worst division winner, Houston is locked into the No. 4 seed.

The Texans will host either the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers or Baltimore Ravens during wild-card weekend.

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…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-30 13:57:00

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