The NFL has reached its final destination in the 2024 regular season: Week 18. For some, this will mark the end of the road as they'll play out the string and fade off to the offseason. Others will aim for the playoffs, hoping to land them in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX. While the playoff picture is relatively clear for many, there's still plenty to determine throughout Sunday’s action, particularly as it relates to seeding, and some clubs are still duking it out for playoff spots.
Going down the playoff scenarios, it’s easy to see the excitement. Starting with the NFC, the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings—both already clinched playoff spots—will square off on Sunday night for not only the NFC North division title but also the coveted No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, the NFC South is still up for grabs, with either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Atlanta Falcons poised to take it. The Bucs just need to defeat the New Orleans Saints at home to claim the division. But if they lose, the door opens for Atlanta, who would clinch the division with a win over the Carolina Panthers.
On the AFC side, everything hinges on the battle for the wild-card spot, which either the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, or Denver Broncos could secure. The Broncos appear to have the simplest path to the postseason; if they manage to defeat the resting Kansas City Chiefs, they'll earn their playoff berth. A loss, though, could pave the way for the Dolphins, who must win against the New York Jets, or the Bengals, who need to hope for both the Broncos and Dolphins to fall short after their victory over the Steelers.
But it’s not just about the playoffs—the teams are also aiming for prime seeding going forward. Twelve teams have already secured spots, but one wildcard slot remains available, with seeding among divisions still being battled for. The Kansas City Chiefs have claimed the AFC’s top seed, followed by the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens also securing their playoff positions. The AFC North was concluded Saturday after the Ravens defeated the Browns, clinching with their tiebreaker over the Steelers.
The Packers, meanwhile, are another team whose season remains on the line. They've clinched at least the No. 7 seed but are hoping to move up to the No. 6 with their upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bears. The Packers dominated the Bears historically, scoring huge victories, yet they must also rely on the outcome of the Cowboys-Commanders game on the same day. If Dallas beats Washington, they'll take control of the No. 6 seed, leaving the Packers potentially down to No. 7.
Now, as the weather grows colder and playoff chances dwindle, spectators are eager to see how these scenarios will resolve. Will the Lions or Vikings hold up under pressure? Can the Buccaneers secure their playoff future? And what twists will Sunday bring filled with drama? On the slate this weekend, the Ravens need to win to secure the No. 3 seed and lock up the AFC North title. The Bengals hope to clinch their spot with favorable outcomes from other matchups, particularly from the Dolphins and the Broncos. The outcomes of these games will dictate which teams move forward, what seed they'll hold, and who they’ll face.
The stakes are high as the playoffs approach, and with so much uncertainty, anything can happen. Fans are glued to their screens, phones buzzing with updates from each game, eagerly anticipating the breakdown of each play and scenario. The conclusion of the regular season promises to be filled with nail-biting tension, edging closer to what promises to be thrilling playoff matches.