The final week in the NFL — Week 18! — is here for the 2023 season, even though we’re now in 2024.
And while the NFL playoff picture is decently clear in the AFC — all but three teams have clinched — and the NFC (with just two spots up for grabs), that means there are still squads that are very much alive heading into the final week of regular-season action on Saturday and Sunday.
So it’s time for that always fun and sometimes complicated breakdown of what needs to happen for certain teams heading into the week. Let’s break it all down by team and scenario:
Buffalo Bills
A win over the Dolphins and they win the AFC East.
They can grab a playoff spot if they tie, or if the Steelers or Jaguars lose or tie, or if the Texans-Colts game ends in a tie.
Houston Texans
A win and a Jaguars loss/tie and their AFC South champs.
But a win and their in the playoffs OR if they tie, the Jags lose and the Steelers lose/tie.
Indianapolis Colts
The AFC South is theirs with a win and a Jaguars loss/tie. It’s also theirs if they tie and the Jags lose.
They can simply make the playoffs with a win, or if there’s a tie and the Steelers lose/tie.
Jacksonville Jaguars
A win and they take the AFC South title, or if they tie and the Colts-Texans game ends in a tie.
A tie plus a Steelers loss/tie gets them to the postseason, or if you get this: Steelers loss, Broncos loss/tie and Texans-Colts DOESN’T end in a tie.
Miami Dolphins
A win or a tie against the Bills and they win the AFC East.
Pittsburgh Steelers
A win plus a Bills loss gets them a playoff spot.
So does one of these scenarios:
1. A win plus a Jaguars tie/loss
2. A win plus Colts-Texans tie
3. A win plus a Jags loss plus Colts-Texans isn’t a tie
4. Jags lose, Broncos win, Colts-Texans isn’t a tie
Atlanta Falcons
A win and a Buccaneers loss and they win the NFC South.
Dallas Cowboys
A win and they clinch the NFC East. But a tie and an Eagles tie gets them there, as does an Eagles loss.
Green Bay Packers
A win and they’re in the postseason. But that’s true if any one of these scenarios happen:
1. A tie plus a Seahawks tie/loss plus a Saints loss/tie
2. A tie plus a Seahawks loss plus a Bucs loss
3. A tie plus a Seahawks tie plus a Bucs loss/tie
4. A Vikings loss/tie plus a Seahawks loss plus a Bucs loss
5. A Vikings loss/tie plus a Seahawks loss plus a Saints loss
Minnesota Vikings
They’re in the playoffs with a win plus the Packers, Seahawks and Buccaneers all have to lose.
Or: A win, plus the Packers, Seahawks and Saints all have to lose.
New Orleans Saints
A win plus a Bucs loss/tie and they’re NFC South champs. If they tie and the Buccaneers lose, same thing.
If they win and both the Seahawks and Packers lose/tie, they get a playoff berth. A tie plus the Seahawks and Packers both losing gets them in, too.
Philadelphia Eagles
A win plus a Cowboys loss/tie and they clinch the NFC East. A tie plus a Cowboys loss gets them the same thing.
Seattle Seahawks
They’re in the playoffs with a win plus a Packers loss/tie.
The same goes if they tie and the Packers lose and the Bucs lose/tie. If they tie, the Packers lose and the Saints lose/tie, they’re in.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A win and they’re NFC South champs. A tie and a Saints tie/loss gets them there too.
A tie plus a Seahawks loss and a Packers loss/tie and they get into the postseason.
