NFL Playoff Picture 2023-24 Week 18: Standings, Scenarios After Texans vs. Colts

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The final Sunday of the NFL’s regular season is set to be an eventful one, as there are still nine teams alive in the playoff race that have not clinched a postseason berth.

The No. 1 seed in each conference has already been decided, but the most of the remaining 12 playoff spots in the AFC and NFC are up for grabs. Here’s how the standings currently look after the Houston Texans’ monumental 23-19 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night.

1. * Baltimore Ravens: 13-3 (AFC North winners)

2. * Miami Dolphins: 11-5 (AFC East leaders)

3. * Kansas City Chiefs: 10-6 (AFC West winners)

4. * Houston Texans: 10-7 (AFC South leaders)

5. * Cleveland Browns: 11-5 (AFC Wild Card)

6. Buffalo Bills: 10-6 (AFC Wild Card)

7. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7 (AFC Wild Card)

8. Jacksonville Jaguars: 9-7

1. * San Francisco 49ers: 12-4 (NFC West winners)

2. * Dallas Cowboys: 11-5 (NFC East leaders)

3. * Detroit Lions: 11-5 (NFC North winners)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-8 (NFC South leaders)

5. * Philadelphia Eagles: 11-5 (NFC Wild Card)

6. * Los Angeles Rams: 9-7 (NFC Wild Card)

7. Green Bay Packers: 8-8 (NFC Wild Card)

9. New Orleans Saints: 8-8

10. Minnesota Vikings: 7-9

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers

While the Chicago Bears have been eliminated from postseason contention, the Packers are still alive with a simple goal. If they’re able to defeat Chicago, they clinch a playoff spot. Green Bay currently holds a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Los Angeles Rams, meaning that a win combined with a Rams loss gives the Packers the No. 6 seed while a win to go along with a victory for Los Angeles results in Green Bay earning the No. 7 seed.

Head coach Matt LaFleur’s team is still eligible to make the postseason with a loss to the Bears, although the chances are slim. In that scenario, the Packers would need losses from the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks as well as a loss from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or New Orleans Saints.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

The Eagles have already clinched a playoff spot, and the Giants have been eliminated. However, the top spot in the NFC East is still in play for Philadelphia. While the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys own identical 11-5 records, the Cowboys have an advantage as they own a better record against common opponents.

So, the Eagles need to win and Dallas has to lose in order for Philadelphia to earn the NFC East crown as well as the No. 2 seed in the conference. If both teams win, the Eagles will hold the No. 5 seed. In the unlikely scenario that Philadelphia and New York tie while the Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings lose, the Eagles would earn the No. 3 seed.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers

The Buccaneers have a straightforward path to the playoffs, clinching the NFC South title if they’re able to secure a victory over Carolina. If Tampa Bay’s contest on Sunday results in a tie, the team would still make the postseason with a loss by the Saints or losses from the Packers and Seahawks.

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

Both teams are still alive in the NFC South race, needing a win and some help to make the playoffs. If the Buccaneers lose to the Panthers, the winner of Sunday’s contest would earn the division title.

The loser of the matchup between the Falcons and Saints will be eliminated and Atlanta would still fail to make the postseason with a win if Tampa Bay defeats Carolina. New Orleans is still in contention for a wild card spot in spite of a Buccaneers victory if the team can pull out a win. In that scenario, the Saints would require losses from the Seahawks and Packers to earn a playoff berth.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

If the Jaguars can take care of the 5-11 Titans on Sunday, they’ll be AFC South champions for the second consecutive year. However, a loss would end Jacksonville’s season after a promising 6-2 start.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

The Lions have already secured a playoff spot as well as a division title, although their place in the NFC isn’t completely set in stone. Detroit will remain the No. 3 seed unless the team beats Minnesota combined with losses from the Cowboys and Eagles, in which case the Lions would move up to No. 2.

The Vikings will need lots of help, as they currently own an 11 percent chance to make the playoffs even if head coach Kevin O’Connell’s squad defeats Detroit. The only scenario that Minnesota would make the playoffs is a win combined with Bears and Cardinals wins, plus a victory by the Falcons or Panthers.

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders

The Cowboys have a simple goal, as a win against the Commanders ensures that Dallas holds the top spot in the NFC East and the No. 2 seed in the conference.

The team can still win the division if they suffer a defeat, as long as the Eagles lose to Giants. If this outcome ends up happening, a win by the Detroit Lions would give Dallas the No. 3 seed.

Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have already locked up a first-round bye, although the Rams are still eligible to earn the sixth or seventh-best record in the conference based on the rest of Sunday’s action as they previously clinched a playoff berth in Week 17.

Los Angeles will own the No. 6 seed if it can secure a victory combined with a loss or tie from the Packers. If the Rams lose while Green Bay wins, then head coach Sean McVay’s squad will drop to No. 7.

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

Seattle doesn’t control its own destiny, but the team can still earn a postseason berth with a win over Arizona and some help. If the Seahawks win and the Packers lose or tie, Seattle clinches a playoff spot.

In the improbable scenario that the team’s matchup with the Cardinals results in a tie, the Seahawks would need the Packers to lose as well as a loss or tie from the Buccaneers or the Saints.

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins

If Buffalo is able to defeat the Dolphins, the Bills would win the division and slide into the No. 2 seed in the AFC. However, they’re in danger of falling out of the postseason picture entirely with a loss. If the Bills are defeated and the Jaguars lose, Buffalo is eliminated from playoff contention.

Miami has already clinched its spot in the postseason, but the team will still attempt to earn a division title for the first time since 2008. If Miami emerges victorious, the Dolphins remain in the No. 2 spot while a loss would give them the No. 6 seed.