Ralph Vacchiano
NFL reporter
By late Sunday evening, all seedings will likely be determined and the schedule for the primary six games of the NFL playoffs will likely be finalized.
But there’s still so much to realize until then in Week 18. The Vikings and Lions will battle on Sunday night for the top spot in the NFC playoffs. And five teams are still fighting for the last two playoff spots.
Here’s the total picture of the NFL playoffs as teams enter a wild Week 18:
(x-Place in play-offs)
AFC
x-1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
Next game: Sunday, 4:25 PM ET at Denver Broncos (9-7). They are already the No. 1 seed in the AFC and may have first-round advantage and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-2. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
Next match: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET at New England Patriots Stadium (3-13). The AFC East champions are in second place and can host a seventh-place team – the Broncos, Dolphins or Bengals – in the primary round of the playoffs.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
They barely broke a sweat on Saturday, beating the Cleveland Browns (3-14) and their quite a few third-string quarterbacks. This won the Ravens the AFC North title and secured the third seed in the playoffs. They will host a first-round game against the Steelers or Chargers. If the Chargers beat the Raiders on Sunday, they beat the Steelers. If the Chargers lose, the world will get one other Harbaugh Bowl.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-4. Houston, Texas (9-7)
Next match: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET at Tennessee Titans Stadium (3-13). The AFC South champions are in fourth place and can host the fifth-ranked team (Steelers or Chargers) in the primary round of the playoffs.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
They ended the season with their fourth straight loss, losing to the Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) in the finals on Saturday. They lost their probability at the AFC North title, but will still be seeded No. 5 or 6 in the AFC playoffs. If the Chargers lose to the Raiders on Sunday, the Steelers will move into fifth place and head to Houston for a first-round playoff game. If the Chargers win, the Steelers will drop to sixth place and head to Baltimore as a substitute.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
Next game: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET at Las Vegas Raiders (4-12). A win would move them to fifth place, which might send them to Houston for the primary round. If they lose, they’ll finish sixth and go to Baltimore.
Playoff Probability: 100%
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)
Next game: Sunday, 4:25 p.m., home vs. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1). They have to win to secure a playoff spot and a visit to Buffalo in the primary round. If they lose, they’re out.
Playoff Probability: 81%
Looking from the skin:
Cincinnati Bengals (9-8): They still need loads of help, but at the top of the season they definitely made it. They won their fifth straight game on Saturday, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7). However, they need a Broncos loss to the Chiefs and a Dolphins loss to the Jets on Sunday to make sure they advance to the playoffs. If they will try this, they’ll head to Buffalo for the primary round. Playoff Probability: 10%
Miami Dolphins (8-8): Next game: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET at New York Jets (4-12). They will clinch a playoff berth (and a first-round trip to Buffalo) with a win and a Broncos loss (against the Chiefs). Playoff Probability: 9%
NFC
x-1. Detroit Lions (14-2)
Next match: Sunday, 20:20 ET at home against Minnesota Vikings (14-2). The victory secures the NFC North title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a first-round bye and residential field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. A loss would drop them to fifth place in the standings and go on a postseason tour, starting in Tampa, Atlanta or Los Angeles.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Next match: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET at home vs. New York Giants (3-13). The NFC East champions are the second seed and can host a first-round playoff game against the Packers or Commanders.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
Next match: Sunday, 16:25 ET at home against the Seattle Seahawks (9-7). The NFC West champions secured third place in the standings with a win or loss for the Buccaneers (vs. Saints). That would set them up for a first-round home game against the Packers or Commanders. If they lose and the Bucs win, they’ll drop to fourth place, where they’ll host the losing Lions-Vikings game.
Playoff Probability: 100%
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Next match: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET at home vs. New Orleans Saints (5-11). They will win the NFC South title with a Falcons win or loss (vs. Carolina). They can move into third place with a Rams win and a loss (against the Seahawks), which might mean a first-round home game against the Packers or Commanders. If they stay in fourth place, they’ll host the loser of the Lions-Vikings game.
Playoff Probability: 89%
x-5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
Next match: Sunday, 20:20 ET on Detroit Lions (14-2). A victory would give them the NFC North title, the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a first-round bye and residential field advantage throughout the playoffs. If they lose, they’ll remain in fifth place and go on a postseason tour, starting in either Tampa or Los Angeles.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-6. Washington’s commanders (11-5)
Next match: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET at Dallas Cowboys (7-9). They lock in the No. 6 seed with a win or if the Packers lose to the Bears. That would send them to Los Angeles or Tampa in the primary round of the playoffs. If they lose and the Packers win, they’ll drop to seventh place and begin the playoffs in Philadelphia.
Playoff Probability: 100%
x-7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Next match: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET at home vs. Chicago Bears (4-12). If they win and the Commanders lose, they’ll move as much as sixth place and begin the playoffs in Los Angeles or Tampa. Otherwise, they’ll remain in seventh place and head to Philadelphia for the primary round.
Playoff Probability: 100%
Looking from the skin:
Atlanta Falcons (8-8): Next match: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET at home against the Carolina Panthers (4-12). With a win or a loss, the Buccaneers (vs. Saints) will clinch the NFC South title and fourth place in the NFC. This would give them a house game in the primary round against the loser of the Lions-Vikings game. Playoff Probability: 11%
Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He had spent the previous six years engaging Giants AND Nozzles for SNY TV in New Yorkand before that, he covered the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News for 16 years. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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