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NFL Week 18 playoff implications

NFL Week 18 playoff implications

AFC

  • AFC #1 seed (bye + home field) is still live: Broncos / Patriots / Jaguars.
  • AFC South title: Jaguars vs Texans.
  • AFC North is winner-take-all tonight: Ravens @ Steelers — loser is out.

NFC

  • Seahawks already clinched NFC #1 seed (Saturday).
  • NFC #2 seed race: Bears control it; Eagles need help and are resting starters.
  • NFC South title comes down to Saints @ Falcons because Tampa already won Saturday.
  • Rams/Cardinals affects Rams vs 49ers seeding (5/6).

The games that matter most (and what to root for)

1:00 PM ET window

Titans @ Jaguars

  • JAX clinches AFC South with a win/tie (or if Houston loses/ties).
  • JAX can only steal the AFC #1 seed with JAX win + DEN loss + NE loss.

Colts @ Texans

  • Houston wins AFC South only if HOU wins + JAX loses.

Saints @ Falcons

  • With Tampa’s Saturday win, Bucs win the NFC South only if ATL loses or ties. If Atlanta wins, Tampa’s out of the division title.

(Other 1:00 games like Browns/Bengals, Cowboys/Giants, Packers/Vikings are basically not playoff drivers — see “rest news” below for why Packers/Vikings is mostly a health game.)

4:25 PM ET window (the “AFC #1 seed” block)

Chargers @ Broncos

  • Broncos get the AFC #1 seed with a win (simplest path).
  • Chargers are resting Justin Herbert; Trey Lance starts

Dolphins @ Patriots

  • Patriots get AFC #1 seed with NE win + DEN loss/tie (or NE tie + DEN loss).
  • So New England fans are basically scoreboard-watching Denver while handling Miami.

Jets @ Bills

  • Bills are already in, but their final seed is still in flux (wild-card ordering).

Lions @ Bears

  • Bears get the NFC #2 seed with a win.
  • Eagles can only grab #2 with a win and Bears loss — but Philly is sitting most starters.

Commanders @ Eagles

  • Philly is prioritizing health: Sirianni is resting many starters.
  • Washington may also be patching QB availability (Mariota injury watch).

Cardinals @ Rams

  • Rams/49ers seeding swing: if Rams win, 49ers slide to the #6 seed; if Rams lose, seeding flips.

8:20 PM ET (Sunday Night Football)

Ravens @ Steelers — winner takes the AFC North, loser goes home

  • Ravens clinch division with a win.
  • Steelers clinch with win or tie.

“They’re resting guys today” — key lineup / QB headlines

  • Chargers: Justin Herbert sits; Trey Lance starts (Harbaugh decision).
  • Eagles: resting most starters in the finale (including the QB situation around Hurts).
  • Packers: Jordan Love cleared protocol but will sit; Clayton Tune starts (Packers officially announced).
  • Raiders: Geno Smith ruled out; expect Kenny Pickett / Aidan O’Connell availability.
  • Commanders: Mariota health still a question; Josh Johnson could be in line.