> At a Glance
> – Patriots clinch AFC East title after a 42-10 rout of the Jets.
> – 49ers defeat the Bears 42-38, moving them closer to the No. 1 NFC seed.
> – Only two playoff spots remain, with two winner-take-all games possible in Week 18.
> – Why it matters: Fans can now see which teams are heading to the postseason and where the final showdown will take place.
With the Patriots’ decisive win over the Jets and the 49ers’ victory over the Bears, the NFL playoff picture is tightening. Twelve of the fourteen playoff berths are locked, leaving only two spots up for grabs. The race for the No. 1 seeds in both conferences now hinges on the outcomes of two potential winner-take-all games in Week 18.
AFC Playoffs
The AFC has secured six teams: the Broncos (13-3), Patriots (13-3), Jaguars (12-4), Texans (11-5), Chargers (11-5), and Bills (11-5). The only remaining AFC battle is between the Steelers (9-7) and Ravens (8-8) for the AFC North title, with the winner earning the No. 1 seed if the Broncos lose to the Chargers or the Patriots lose to the Bills.
- Steelers vs. Ravens – winner claims AFC North and a chance at the top seed.
- Broncos vs. Chargers – outcome determines if the Broncos hold the No. 1 seed.
- Patriots vs. Bills – a loss by the Patriots could give the Bills a higher seed.
NFC Playoffs
The NFC has six teams in the postseason: the Seahawks (13-3), Bears (11-5), Eagles (11-5), 49ers (12-4), Rams (11-4), and Packers (9-6-1). The NFC West title is still contested between the 49ers and the Seahawks, while the NFC South race is down to the Panthers (8-8) and Buccaneers (7-9) for the division title and a potential wild-card spot.
- 49ers vs. Seahawks – winner secures the No. 1 NFC seed.
- Panthers vs. Buccaneers – winner takes the NFC South crown and a wild-card berth.
- Falcons vs. Rams – a Falcons loss or tie could give the Buccaneers a playoff spot.
| Conference | Teams in Playoffs |
|---|---|
| AFC | Broncos (13-3), Patriots (13-3), Jaguars (12-4), Texans (11-5), Chargers (11-5), Bills (11-5) |
| NFC | Seahawks (13-3), Bears (11-5), Eagles (11-5), 49ers (12-4), Rams (11-4), Packers (9-6-1) |
Key Takeaways
- Patriots secure AFC East and a top seed if the Broncos or Chargers lose.
- 49ers’ win puts them in position to claim the No. 1 NFC seed.
- Only two playoff spots remain, with two potential winner-take-all games in Week 18.
The postseason landscape is now clearer, but the final games will decide the ultimate matchups. Fans can look forward to a thrilling conclusion as the league races toward the playoffs.
