Heading into Week 18, football feels like the last thing on everyone's minds after the Bills-Bengals game. there are still several divisions crowns up for grabs, both number one-seeds still at play, and there is just one vacant Wild Card spot open in each conference that has three or more teams vying for the final spot in the playoffs in the final week. Here is everything you need to know about this weekend's playoff scenarios in the AFC and the NFC.
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NFC Playoff-Clinching Scenarios
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- Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a WIN OR DAL LOSS
- Eagles can clinch the one-seed with a WIN OR DAL & SF LOSS
- 49ers can clinch the one-seed with a WIN AND PHI LOSS
- Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a WIN AND PHI LOSS
- Cowboys can clinch the one-seed with a WIN AND PHI & SF LOSS
- Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth with a WIN AND GB LOSS
- Lions can clinch a playoff berth with a WIN AND SEA LOSS
- Packers can clinch a playoff berth with a WIN
AFC Playoff-Clinching Scenarios
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- Chiefs can clinch the one-seed with a WIN AND BUF LOSS
- Winner of Jaguars/Titans WINS AFC South
- Bengals can clinch the AFC North with a WIN over BAL
- Dolphins can clinch a playoff berth with a WIN AND NE LOSS
- Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with a WIN OR MIA & PIT & JAX LOSS
- Steelers can clinch a playoff berth with a WIN AND MIA & NE LOSS
- Jaguars can clinch a playoff berth with a WIN OR MIA & NE & JAX LOSS
But before the final week of the NFL regular season kicks off, let's take a look at this week's updated NFL Power Rankings.
1. Buffalo Bills (12-3)
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There's nothing more for us to say about the Buffalo Bills. Instead, here's how you can help.
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
The 49ers are quietly behind the Eagles and Cowboys, hoping both teams lose this weekend to make a buzzer-beating steal of the NFC one-seed.
3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)
Anyone blaming Tee Higgins for what happened, there is a special place in you nowhere for you.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)
The wins have not been pretty as of late, but the Chiefs offense still shows how quick it can score and how much it truly controls the pace of the game.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
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Despite what Chris Simms says, this Eagles offense is missing Jalen Hurts tremendously and will be just fine when he comes back.
6. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
The Cowboys could be at the one-seed or at the five-seed depending on how this weekend's games play out but prediction alert, could be one and done come playoff time.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
The Chargers are finally healthy and are playing some of the best football on both sides of the ball, making them a Darkhorse candidate entering the playoffs.
8. New York Giants (9-6-1)
The Giants have clinched a playoff berth, but how far can this team really go once the playoffs start? That all relies on the performance of Danny Dimes.
9. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Pay Lamar whatever he wants and get him a TRUE WR1 and get him some more protection along that offensive line.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
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The Jaguars offseason acquisitions from free agency to head coach Doug Pederson has paid off in year one, leaving expectations high in Duval for year two.
11. Detroit Lions (8-8)
The Lions have had quite the second half turnaround and could have a win and you're in scenario on Sunday Night if Seattle loses earlier in the day.
12. Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Win and they're in. And if they do win, this is not a team that should be taken lightly as everything is starting to come together on both sides of the ball.
13. Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
The Vikings got embarrassed and despite their talented offense the question raised is will they be one and done in the playoffs?
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
Kenny Pickett is starting to get things going and although they will need more than just a win to get into the playoffs, the Steelers can still preserve Mike Tomlins non-losing record streak of NEVER.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
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Tampa has clinched the NFC South in what has been a rollercoaster of a season, but can they make noise in the playoffs? Or will this be all for nothing?
16. New England Patriots (8-8)
It is pretty simple: if the Patriots win, then they are into the playoffs in the second straight year with Mac Jones at quarterback.
17. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
No Tua means big problems as the Dolphins have dropped the ball in year one of this exciting offense, needing a win and some help to sneak into the playoffs.
18. Washington Commanders (7-8-1)
Sam Howell will be starting this weekend as the Commanders have been eliminated from playoff contention. Think Ron Rivera knows?
19. New Orleans Saints (7-9)
The Saints gave the Eagles a double whammy: handed them a loss and moved their pick from the Saints closer to the middle of the first round.
20. Cleveland Browns (7-9)
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All eyes on next season as not much will come from the offseason.
21. Tennessee Titans (7-9)
Somehow the Titans are still alive for the playoffs but even if they get in, they will be no threat to spoiling any AFC team's run for a Super Bowl.
22. New York Jets (7-9)
Garrett Wilson said they wasted this season and that is somewhat true, but this team is still a year away, and QB away, from their potential. But they are very close.
23. Carolina Panthers (6-10)
It was a fair effort by the Panthers but their loss on Sunday officially eliminated them from playoff contention. So, do they draft a Quarterback?
24. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
Geno Smith and Seattle still have a shot at the playoffs and would be a fun team to watch if they were to make the playoffs.
25. Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
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Not much to go off, but is Desmond Ridder the future? And do you bring back Matty Ice as a backup?
26. Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)
Derek Carr has most likely played his last game for the Raiders and there will be plenty of teams that will be willing to trade for the Veteran quarterback.
27. Los Angeles Rams (5-11)
Mayfield has been very up and down in his four games as Rams quarterback and Week 18 might be the deciding factor on his offseason fate.
28. Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
Let me sum up HBO's In-Season Hard Knocks for you. No Kyler. No Hopkins. No wins.
29. Denver Broncos (4-12)
Denver showed some fight and grit against the Chiefs but all that matters is who you are going to bring in to hopefully fix Russell Wilson and that stagnant offense?
30. Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)
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Jeff Saturday won game one as head coach and has now lost six straight games in a row. He is not he answer.
31. Chicago Bears (3-13)
Justin Fields will not be playing in the regular season finale. So, there is no need to watch this game
32. Houston Texans (2-13-1)
Jalen Pitre deserves some votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year as he will finish with at least five interceptions and over 139 total tackles.
