NFL Postseason Scenarios: Key Deciders & Scenarios for the Season Finale.

Entering the last weekend of the regular NFL campaign, only a pair of postseason berths remain open. Yet, far more is on the line, such as the highly desired top seeds in both conferences and four divisional crowns.

The schedule makers have crafted a perfect ending, with the final two postseason places on the line in a pair of winner-take-all contests.

NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18

American Football Conference Rankings

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

The winner of the Steelers-Ravens contest will claim the #4 spot and a home-field advantage in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, the Bills and the Chargers are set as wildcard entrants.

Houston require a win and a Jaguars loss to jump from fifth to the third seed. Denver will secure the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could pave the way for New England or Jacksonville to claim it.

National Football Conference Rankings

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

The NFC South will be claimed by the victor of the Carolina-Tampa Bay game, earning 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, however, is the battle for the NFC's top seed between Seattle and the 49ers, with a week off and home-field advantage hanging in the balance.

How the NFL Postseason Works

The #1 team in each conference earns a crucial bye week and home games throughout the play-offs.

On Wildcard Weekend, the other six playoff teams compete: the #2 team plays the seventh, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.

For the second round, the top seeds enter the fray, facing the lowest remaining seed. The AFC and NFC title games are then hosted by the highest seed, underscoring the immense importance of securing that #1 ranking.

AFC North Decider: A Brutal Finale

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

This fierce grudge match comes to a head in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a genuine win-or-go-home scenario.

The Steelers have been up and down all year, while Baltimore started poorly but are still in the hunt. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may miss key target their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback Lamar Jackson is questionable with a health issue.

Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the x-factor 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 NFC West is on the line when the Seahawks travels to San Francisco. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides.

This game features an high-powered San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. With QB their young passer returned, San Francisco have been the league's highest scorers. Conversely, the Seahawks' defense is ranked second best in the league.

The Seahawks' QB their passer must avoid mistakes that have plagued him this year. The team that wins this clash gains a massive advantage for the postseason journey.

NFC South: A Race to Stumble Over the Line

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)

Neither team comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped seven of eight, while the Panthers have squandered chances to clinch the title.

The Panthers it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. For Tampa Bay, the situation is trickier. Even with a win, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans game to claim the division crown.

Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy

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

The Denver Broncos control their destiny for the AFC's top seed. A win over a L.A. Chargers team expected to sit starters gets it done.

Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A New England victory combined with a Broncos loss would hand the top seed to Bill Belichick's team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the dark horse. They need a win and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could see them passed by the Houston Texans in the division standings.

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)