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NFL playoff scenarios, Week 18 clinching and spots on the line

By Sayre Bedinger

NFL playoff scenarios; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFL playoff scenarios; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season is shaping up to be a monstrous week with NFL playoff scenarios and seeding on the line in almost every matchup.

It’s Week 18 of the 2021 NFL season, which means the season is about to end for 18 teams. Seven teams will make it from both the AFC and NFC, and Week 18 is loaded with intriguing matchups and NFL playoff scenarios across the board.

A few teams have intriguing decisions to make with the playoffs already clinched but seeding yet to be determined. Do those teams rest their starters or play for better seeding?

This final week of the season has tons of intriguing NFL playoff scenarios. Let’s take a look at both conferences.

AFC NFL playoff scenarios for Week 18 of the 2021 season

AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs have clinched the AFC West, and they have a slight chance of getting the top overall seed in the AFC. They would need the Houston Texans to beat the current top seed in the AFC, the Tennessee Titans.

Los Angeles Chargers/Las Vegas Raiders: These two teams take each other on in Week 18 of the NFL season which makes for one of the most compelling of NFL playoff scenarios.

This is essentially a play-in game. The Chargers are in if they win or tie. The Raiders have paths that include them losing this game. They would need the Colts and Steelers to lose in Week 18 if they were to lose the Chargers and get in.

Denver Broncos: Eliminated

AFC South

Tennessee Titans: With a win over the Texans, the Titans will clinch the top seed in the AFC.

Indianapolis Colts: If the Colts win this weekend, they are in. If they lose, they would need losses from the Chargers and Steelers as well as a win by the Dolphins to get in.

Houston Texans/Jacksonville Jaguars: Eliminated.

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals: Clinched the AFC North. The Bengals can get the number one seed in the AFC with a win plus losses by the Titans and Chiefs, as well as either a loss for the Patriots or a win for the Bills.

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have only one somewhat complicated path to the playoffs. They need to win plus they need losses by the Chargers, Colts, and Dolphins.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers need to win plus they need the Colts to lose, and they also need the Chargers and Raiders to not tie, which presents a very unique scenario. If the Steelers win and the Colts lose, the Chargers and Raiders could somehow try and force a tie to both get in the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns: Eliminated.

AFC East

New England Patriots: The Patriots are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. They can win the AFC East this weekend with a win plus a Bills loss or a tie and a Bills loss. They would clinch the top seed in the AFC with a win plus losses by the Bills, Titans, and Chiefs.

Buffalo Bills: The Bills are in, but they would clinch the AFC East with a win or a Patriots loss, or if both teams tied.

Miami Dolphins/New York Jets: Eliminated.

NFC NFL playoff scenarios for Week 18 of the 2021 season

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: If the Cardinals win and the Rams lose, they would clinch the NFC West. They are guaranteed a playoff spot regardless.

Los Angeles Rams: If the Rams win, they are NFC West division champions. If they lose and the Cardinals also lose, they would also win the West.

San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers will make the playoffs if they can beat the Rams. They will clinch a playoff spot also with a Saints loss.

Seattle Seahawks: Eliminated.

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have clinched the NFC South division title.

New Orleans Saints: The Saints are in if they win against the Falcons and the 49ers lose to the Rams.

Carolina Panthers/Atlanta Falcons: Eliminated.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers: The Packers have clinched the NFC North division title and the no. 1 overall seed in the NFC.

Minnesota Vikings/Chicago Bears/Detroit Lions: Eliminated.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Clinched NFC East division title.

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles have clinched a playoff berth and will be in the postseason regardless of what happens this weekend.

Washington Football Team/New York Giants: Eliminated.

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