Playoff Picture: Bengals’ miracle scenario still in play; season finale could shake up Super Bowl race
A showdown between Minnesota and Detroit will decide a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs while two other post-season spots will be decided when the NFL regular season ends.
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Here, foxsports.com.au has the full state of play as to what is on the line in Week 18!
AFC
Who is already locked into the playoffs?
In the AFC, two-time defending champion Kansas City has clinched the top seed and joining them in the AFC post-season will be the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers.
Who could take the final playoff spot?
The Denver Broncos (9-7) would take the last AFC spot with a home win over Kansas City, with the Chiefs expected to rest many of their top players having already secured a first-round bye and home-field playoff edge.
Should Denver lose, Miami (8-8) could take the last AFC playoff berth with a road victory over the New York Jets (4-12).
If the Broncos and Dolphins both lose, the Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) will swipe the playoff spot after winning on Sunday at Pittsburgh (10-7).
Only four NFL teams since 1990 (2.5 per cent) have made the playoffs after a 0-3 start.
“Bengals are alive” despite missed FG | 00:25
What else is on the line?
Also at stake was the AFC North division crown and the third seed in the AFC playoffs behind Kansas City and Buffalo.
Baltimore (12-5) clinched both with a home victory over Cleveland (3-14).
Tiebreakers
The Steelers own the No. 5 seed over the Chargers having previously defeated Los Angeles 20-10 in Week 3.
Playoff picture (*clinched playoffs)
No. 1 seed: Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners)*
No. 2 seed: Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winners)*
No. 3 seed: Baltimore Ravens (12-5, AFC North winners)*
No. 4 seed: Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)*
No. 5 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, wild card No. 1)*
No. 6 seed: Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, wild card No. 2)*
No. 7 seed: Denver Broncos (9-7, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt:Cincinnati Bengals (9-8), Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Playoff games (as it stands)
No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (BYE)
No. 2 Buffalo Bills vs. No. 7 Denver Broncos
No. 3 Baltimore Ravens vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers
No. 4 Houston Texans vs. No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers
Daniels leads Washington to playoffs! | 00:48
NFC
Who is already locked into the playoffs?
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions will battle for NFC supremacy on Monday but are already guaranteed a playoff spot along with the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Rams.
Who could take the final playoff spot?
Tampa Bay (9-7) can clinch the NFC South crown with a home triumph over New Orleans (5-11) but a loss would allow Atlanta (8-8) a chance to get the division title and playoff spot with a home victory over Carolina (4-12).
What else is on the line?
The host Lions and visiting Vikings meet in the final game of the regular-season to decide the NFC North division title with the winner getting the NFC top seed, a first-round bye and home-field edge through the playoffs in a big boost to their Super Bowl hopes while the loser settles for a fifth seed and likely spends the playoffs on the road.
Tiebreakers
The Lions own the No. 1 seed and lead in the NFC North over the Vikings after winning 31-29 against Minnesota in Week 7.
The Commanders own the No. 6 seed over the Packers due to their superior win percentage in conference games (8-3, 72.7% vs 6-5, 54.5%).
Playoff picture (*clinched playoffs)
No. 1 seed: Detroit Lions (14-2, NFC North leaders)*
No. 2 seed: Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, NFC East winners)*
No. 3 seed: Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West winners)*
No. 4 seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South leaders)
No. 5 seed: Minnesota Vikings (14-2, wild card No. 1)*
No. 6 seed: Washington Commanders (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
No. 7 seed: Green Bay Packers (11-5, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Playoff games (as it stands)
No. 1 Detroit Lions (BYE)
No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles vs. No. 7 Green Bay Packers
No. 3 Los Angeles Rams vs. No. 6 Washington Commanders
No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. No. 5 Minnesota Vikings
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