It's the first week of the new year and with so much going on in all our lives, it’s hard to keep up with what’s at stake in Week 18 in the NFL.
I’m here to help.
NFL playoffs here we come folks!
We have multiple scenarios that I laid out to help you figure out what the heck is going on (with some help from my friends at ESPN and NFL Communications).
Here is what you need to know.
THE NFC
Packers
The No. 1 seed for the second year in a row belongs to Green Bay. The Packers head to Detroit this weekend, but I’m sure they’re already looking forward to their bye week. Unless another team beats Green Bay, the NFC path to the Super Bowl must go through Lambeau Field. Brrrrrr.
Rams
This gets a little dicey because the Arizona Cardinals have the best record in the NFC West at 4-1 and the Rams are 3-2. They split their head-to-head matchups, so their divisional record would be the next tiebreaker to decide the NFC West.
The Rams are ahead of the Tampa Bay Bucs based on their head-to-head win in Week 3.
The Rams will play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, who might be without quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. This is a huge game for L.A. as we have seen head coach Sean McVay, who is very good friends with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, struggle to beat his buddy.
How the Rams can win the NFC West:
Rams win or tie vs. 49ers OR
Cardinals loss or tie vs. Seahawks
Buccaneers
Tampa Bay won the NFC South, but its seeding situation this weekend is really complicated. While I would guess the Bucs will end up as the No. 3 seed in the conference there are situations in which they could also finish as the No. 2 seed or No. 4 seed. Wide receiver Antonio Brown still hadn’t officially been cut yet at the time I’m writing this. As we all know nobody wants to see their ex with someone new!
Cowboys
The Cowboys play Saturday in Philly against the Eagles who are dealing with major Covid issues. Philly already is in and can’t finish higher than the No. 6 seed, so there’s a chance this is a game in which the Eagles decide to sit their stars.
Dallas wants this because a win helps its conference record, which is tied with the Packers for the best in the NFC and could be the tiebreaker between the Cowboys and Rams, who are 8-3 in the conference.
Cardinals
As mentioned above, the divisional record would be the next tiebreaker to decide the NFC West.
How Arizona can win the NFC West:
Cardinals win vs. Seahawks + Rams loss vs. 49ers
49ers
San Francisco is in the No. 6 position over Philadelphia based on its head-to-head win in Week 2, but the 49ers did not clinch a playoff berth in Week 17 because the Saints won.
As of this writing, it’s not clear who will start at quarterback for San Francisco in its regular-season finale.
How San Francisco can clinch a playoff berth:
49ers win or tie at Rams OR
Saints loss or tie at Falcons
Eagles
This could be a game that looks like the preseason for Philly. The option of resting players is still on the table since Philly already is in, but even if the Eagles lose to the Cowboys, they still have a chance to climb into the No. 6 seed.
Trying to get in:
Saints: New Orleans needs good things to go its way but it can happen. The Saints need a win at Atlanta and a 49ers loss at the Rams.
The AFC:
There are two AFC playoff spots still up for grabs and five teams in the mix.
Titans
A second straight AFC South title for Tennessee and the Titans pretty much did it without their best offensive weapon, running back Derrick Henry. With the Bengals winning last Sunday against the Chiefs, the Titans have a chance of locking up the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win at Houston. Remember they lost to Houston and turned the ball over five times in November in Nashville in the rain. This won’t be easy, but the Titans are one win away from getting a bye and home-field advantage.
How Tennessee can clinch the No. 1 seed:
Titans win at Texans OR
Titans tie at Texans + Chiefs loss or tie at Broncos OR
Chiefs loss + Bengals loss or tie at Browns + Patriots loss or tie at Dolphins OR
Chiefs loss + Bengals loss or tie + Bills win vs. Jets
Chiefs
The Chiefs have completely turned their season around but were stopped by the Bengals last Sunday, as they lost for the first time since Week 7 against the Titans. Eight games straight but the Chiefs will now need assistance to lock up that No. 1 spot.
How Kansas City can clinch the No. 1 seed:
Chiefs win at Broncos + Titans loss or tie at Texans OR
Chiefs tie + Titans loss
Bengals
Who saw this coming? I’ve been blown away by quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase this season. They might be the best QB/WR duo after the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers and Devante Adams.
After a back-and-forth thriller last Sunday against the Chiefs, Cincy won the AFC North. The Bengals’ conference record is 8-3, which is tied with the Patriots. That currently puts them ahead of the Bills in the standings and gives the Bengals an outside chance at the No. 1 seed.
How Cincinnati can clinch the No. 1 seed:
Bengals win at Browns + Titans loss at Texans + Chiefs loss at Broncos + Patriots loss or tie at Dolphins OR
Bengals win + Titans loss + Chiefs loss + Bills win vs. Jets
Bills
The way it has played out between Buffalo and New England is nothing short of awesome. With the Bills dominating the Patriots in their last meeting after getting stunned at home two weeks prior, the Bills’ 4-1 divisional record gives them the edge in the division standings over the Patriots
How the Bills can win the AFC East:
Bills win vs. Jets OR
Patriots loss at Dolphins OR
Bills tie + Patriots tie
Patriots
We just mentioned their loss to the Bills at home, but the Patriots still have a chance at not only an AFC East title, but the No. 1 seed. The Patriots’ 8-3 conference record is tied with Cincinnati for the best in the AFC.
How the Patriots can clinch the No. 1 seed:
Patriots win at Dolphins + Bills loss or tie vs. Jets + Chiefs loss at Broncos + Titans loss at Texans
How the Patriots can win the AFC East:
Patriots win + Bills loss or tie OR
Patriots tie + Bills loss
Colts
The stakes were high for Indy last Sunday at home, as they were so close to clinching a playoff berth with a win against the Raiders. After some Covid drama with QB Carson Wentz, he played, but the Colts came up short. Indianapolis is 9-7 and in a three-way tie with the Raiders and Chargers. The Chargers win the initial division tiebreak via head-to-head win percentage, and the Colts then jump the Chargers in the standings because they have the better conference record.
How the Colts can clinch a playoff berth:
Colts win or tie at Jaguars OR
Chargers loss at Raiders + Ravens-Steelers tie OR
Chargers loss at Raiders + Steelers loss at Ravens + Patriots loss at Dolphins
Chargers
Win and you are in! The Chargers took care of business against the Broncos, moving into the final wild-card spot. They are ahead of the Raiders based on their head-to head win in Week 4, but this Sunday in Las Vegas will be the biggest game of the weekend.
How the Chargers can clinch a playoff berth:
Chargers win or tie at LV
The Chargers and the Raiders can both get into the playoffs with a tie if the Colts lose to the Jaguars. That means that the Chargers and Raiders could just orchestrate a tie; imagine if they did this!?
Trying to get in:
Raiders: As I just mentioned, win and in at home. The 9-7 Raiders are the first team out for now but can also get in with a tie against the Chargers and a Colts loss to the Jags, or with a Colts loss and a Steelers loss or tie to the Ravens.
Steelers: Pittsburgh at 8-7-1 needs to win on the road and get some help. The Steelers need a Colts loss at Jacksonville and a tie CAN NOT happen between the Chargers-Raiders.
Ravens: The Ravens are hanging on despite all the injuries this season but it won’t be easy. Baltimore, at 8-8, needs a win against the Steelers at home, a Raiders win against the Chargers, a Colts loss at Jacksonville and a Patriots win or tie at Miami. Yikes.
