NFL Playoff Picture: Clinching scenarios for Sunday finale

The final week of the NFL regular season is here. See below for a full breakdown of all playoff scenarios heading into Sunday, updated after Saturday night's games.

x = clinched playoff berthy = clinched division titlez = clinched first-round bye

Ravens

Baltimore was able to sit some key starters in Saturday's game against Pittsburgh after clinching both the AFC North title and the conference's No. 1 seed last week. The Ravens can rest up on Wild Card Weekend before hosting the lowest remaining seed in the divisional round.

Dolphins

The Dolphins are in either way, but they've got plenty to play for in Week 18. A win over the Bills on Sunday Night Football (or a tie) would secure Miami's first division title since 2008. A loss would drop the Dolphins to the No. 6 seed and set the stage for a trip to Kansas City on Wild Card Weekend.

Chiefs

Kansas City has nothing to play for against the Chargers. Win or lose, the Chiefs are the AFC West champs and locked into the No. 3 seed. They'll host the No. 6 seed in the first round.

Texans

Houston has officially locked up a playoff spot and is sitting atop the AFC South after Saturday night's thrilling win over Indianapolis. The Texans would win the division if the Jaguars fall to the Titans on Sunday. A Jacksonville win would bump Houston down to a wild-card spot.

Browns

The Browns have the luxury of treating Week 18 as something of a playoff bye, as they'll be the No. 5 seed no matter what. Cleveland will head to either Jacksonville or Houston in the first round.

Bills

The Bills head into the final game of the regular season facing a rather terrifying range of outcomes. A win over the Dolphins on Sunday night is all they need to take the AFC East, but there's still a chance they don't get in at all. If the Jaguars beat the Titans, a loss in Miami would see Buffalo miss the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

Steelers

The Steelers took care of business in Saturday's game against the Ravens, but that was only the first step. Pittsburgh still needs losses from either the Bills (at Miami) or Jaguars (at Tennessee) to secure a wild-card spot.

Jaguars

Jacksonville would clinch its second consecutive AFC South crown with a win over Tennessee. After losing four of their last five games, that's the Jaguars' lone path to the postseason. They'd be eliminated with a loss, sending the Texans to the top of the division.

x = clinched playoff berthy = clinched division titlez = clinched first-round bye

49ers

The 49ers have nothing to play for against the Rams. They've clinched another NFC West title and the conference's No. 1 seed. San Francisco will be sitting plenty of regular starters with an eye on the playoffs.

Cowboys

The Cowboys can clinch the NFC East title with a win over the Commanders. A loss in Washington would open the door for the Eagles to win the division by beating the Giants.

Lions

The Lions don't have much to play for in Week 18. The division title has been locked up, and it seems like they're headed for the No. 3 seed. There is a small chance they move up one spot, though. The Lions beating the Vikings while also getting wins from the Commanders (versus Dallas) and Giants (versus Philadelphia) would push them into the No. 2 seed.

Buccaneers

It's pretty simple for the Buccaneers. Beat the Panthers, and you're in as the NFC South champs. The only other hope for the Bucs would involve a tie in Carolina. Such a result paired with a Saints loss would still see Tampa Bay come away with the division crown. Or, in a far more unlikely scenario, a Bucs tie combined with a Seahawks loss and a Packers loss (or tie) would get them a wild-card spot.

Eagles

Losses in four of their last five games have the Eagles in an unexpected position. Philly needs both a win over the Giants and a Cowboys loss to the Commanders to win the NFC East. Otherwise, the Eagles will be the NFC's No. 5 seed and go on the road to play the NFC South champs on Wild Card Weekend.

Rams

The Rams are in. Week 18's games will decide whether they'll be the sixth or seventh seed. A win or tie against the 49ers or a loss or tie from the Packers would lock L.A. into the No. 6 spot.

Packers

Win and they're in. The Packers can clinch a wild-card spot by beating the Bears. Doing so while also getting a loss from the Rams would put Green Bay in the No. 6 seed. It's not impossible for the Packers to get in with a loss or tie, but they'd need a lot of help.

Seahawks

The Seahawks need both a win over the Cardinals and a Packers loss to the Bears to earn a wild-card spot. There are also complicated scenarios that would see Seattle sneak in with a tie, but one thing is common across the board: The Seahawks need the Packers to lose.

Saints

Tampa Bay losing to Carolina would open the door for the Saints to take the NFC South with either a win or a tie against the Falcons. Either result could also earn New Orleans a wild-card spot with some help from the Packers and Seahawks, but there's no path to the playoffs with a loss.

Vikings

Minnesota's playoff hopes are dwindling, but there is still a chance. The Vikings need a win over the Lions combined with losses from the Packers and Seahawks, as well as a defeat from either the Buccaneers or Saints.

Falcons

Atlanta's only path to the playoffs is winning the NFC South. The Falcons would take the division title with a win over the Saints and a loss from the Bucs. Any other results in those two games, including ties, would send Atlanta packing.