Is there a clear-cut best team in the NFC? (1:50)
Domonique Foxworth and Dan Graziano debate who the best team in the NFC is. (1:50)
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ESPN staffJan 3, 2026, 10:45 PM ET
Two more NFL teams officially made the postseason during Week 17 of the 2025 NFL regular season, and three division titles were clinched. So what’s at stake in the final week of the regular season?
There are two spots left in the playoffs (one in each conference), and three division titles are still up for grabs heading into Sunday. The NFC’s 1-seed was settled Saturday night, but the AFC’s 1-seed is still unclaimed.
Let’s take a look at how those spots can be claimed in Week 18.
More NFL playoff race coverage:
Projecting the final seeding
FPI ratings for every team
Denver Broncos (13-3)
The matchup: vs. L.A. Chargers on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Broncos can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC:
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Win or
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New England loss vs. Miami (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday) + Jacksonville loss vs. Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Houston Texans (11-5)
The matchup: vs. Indianapolis on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Texans can clinch the AFC South:
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Win + Jacksonville loss vs. Tennessee (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
The matchup: vs. Tennessee on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Jaguars can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC:
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Win + Denver loss vs. L.A. Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday) + New England loss vs. Miami (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
How the Jaguars can clinch the AFC South:
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Win/tie or
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Houston loss/tie vs. Indianapolis (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
New England Patriots (13-3)
The matchup: vs. Miami on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Patriots can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC:
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Win + Denver loss vs. L.A. Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
The matchup: vs. Baltimore on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
How the Steelers can clinch the AFC North and make the playoffs:
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Win/tie
2:31
Cam Newton: John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin are victims of their own success
Dan Orlovsky and Cam Newton discuss what’s at stake for John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin ahead of the pivotal Week 18 matchup between the Ravens and Steelers.
Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
The matchup: at Pittsburgh on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
How the Ravens can clinch the AFC North and make the playoffs:
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Win
Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios in the NFC
Carolina Panthers (8-9)
The matchup: Lost 16-14 to Tampa Bay
How the Panthers can clinch the NFC South and make the playoffs:
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Atlanta win vs. New Orleans (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
The matchup: Won 16-14 over Carolina
How the Bucs can clinch the NFC South and make the playoffs:
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Atlanta loss vs. New Orleans (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
NFL playoff matchups as things stand
AFC
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(7) Buffalo Bills at (2) New England Patriots
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(6) Los Angeles Chargers at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
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(5) Houston Texans at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
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Wild-card round bye: (1) Denver Broncos
NFC
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(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears
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(6) Los Angeles Rams at (3) Philadelphia Eagles
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(5) San Francisco 49ers at (4) Carolina Panthers
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Wild-card round bye: (1) Seattle Seahawks
