NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Outcomes for the Final Week.

Entering the final week of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. Yet, a great deal more is on the line, such as the highly desired top seeds in both conferences and four division titles.

NFL schedulers have crafted a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places to be decided in a pair of winner-take-all contests.

Current NFL Play-Off Standings

AFC Standings

1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
2. New England (13-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
5. Houston (11-5)
6. L.A. Chargers (11-5)
7. Buffalo Bills (11-5)

The victor of the Pittsburgh-Baltimore contest will claim the fourth seed and a home game in the first playoff round. At the same time, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.

The Texans need a win and a Jaguars loss to jump from fifth to third. Denver will earn the top seed with a triumph, but a loss could pave the way for New England or the Jaguars to claim it.

National Football Conference Rankings

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
2. Chicago (11-5)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
4. Carolina (8-8) / Tampa Bay (7-9)
5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-6)

The NFC South will be claimed by the victor of the Panthers-Buccaneers matchup, granting them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still win the divisional title even with a loss, contingent on other results.

Green Bay are set at the seventh seed. The marquee matchup, though, is the clash for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage on the line.

Understanding the NFL Play-Off Format

The #1 team in each conference earns a crucial first-round bye and home games for the duration of the play-offs.

During the Wild Card round, the other six qualified teams face off: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, third hosts sixth, and fourth hosts fifth.

For the Divisional Round, the top seeds join the fray, hosting the weakest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by the best remaining team, underscoring the critical importance of earning that top spot.

AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)

This bitter rivalry reaches its climax in the last contest of the NFL season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot on the line, this is a true elimination situation.

Pittsburgh have been inconsistent all year, while the Ravens started poorly but remain in the hunt. Key injuries may prove critical: The Steelers may be without key target DK Metcalf, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is questionable with a back injury.

Running back the powerful back might emerge as the difference-maker for Baltimore in what is set up as a physical, low-scoring struggle.

NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)

More than just the division title is on the line when the Seahawks travels to the 49ers. The victorious team secures the conference's #1 spot and the road to the Super Bowl that it provides.

This matchup features an high-powered 49ers offense against a dominant Seahawks defense. With QB Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's top offense. On the other hand, Seattle's unit is ranked second best in the NFL.

The Seahawks' quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid costly turnovers that have plagued him this year. Whoever wins this clash earns a huge advantage for the playoff run.

The NFC South's Uncertain Finish

Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30 Saturday)

Neither team comes into this game with strong form. Tampa Bay have lost four straight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to secure the title.

For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the scenario is trickier. Even with a win, they require another result from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the division crown.

AFC's Top Seed Up for Grabs

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (18:00, Sunday)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25, Sunday)
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers (21:25, Sunday)

Denver hold the cards for the AFC's top seed. A win over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit starters seals it.

Should Denver falter, the opportunity arises for the Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would give the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and losses by the Broncos and Patriots to achieve an improbable rise to the top. More pressingly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken by the Texans in the AFC South.

Full Slate of Final Week Games

Saturday, 3 January
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30)
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)

Sunday, 4 January
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (18:00)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (18:00)
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (18:00)
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (18:00)
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00)
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (18:00)
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (21:25)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25)
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (21:25)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (21:25)
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (21:25)
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles (21:25)
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)