NFL Play-Off Picture: Crucial Matchups & Scenarios for the Season Finale.

As we head into the last weekend of the NFL regular season, only a pair of postseason berths are still up for grabs. However, a great deal more is on the line, including the coveted top seeds in both conferences and four divisional crowns.

NFL schedulers have crafted a perfect finale, with the two remaining postseason places to be decided in a pair of winner-take-all matchups.

NFL Postseason Picture as of Week 18

AFC Standings

1. Denver Broncos (13-3)
2. New England Patriots (13-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) / Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
5. Houston (11-5)
6. L.A. Chargers (11-5)
7. Buffalo (11-5)

The victor of the Steelers-Ravens contest will secure the #4 spot and a home game in the wildcard round. Meanwhile, Buffalo and the Chargers are set as wildcard teams.

The Texans need a victory coupled with a Jacksonville loss to jump from the fifth seed to third. Denver will earn the #1 ranking with a triumph, but a loss could open the door for New England or the Jaguars to snatch it.

NFC Standings

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
2. Chicago Bears (11-5)
3. Philadelphia (11-5)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8) / Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
5. San Francisco (12-4)
6. L.A. Rams (11-5)
7. Green Bay (9-6)

The NFC South is up for grabs by the winner of the Panthers-Buccaneers game, earning them the fourth seed. However, the Panthers could still win the division even with a loss, depending on other outcomes.

Green Bay are locked into the seventh spot. The highlight, though, is the clash for the #1 seed in the NFC between Seattle and San Francisco, with a first-round bye and home playoff games hanging in the balance.

How the NFL Postseason Works

The #1 team in each conference earns a valuable bye week and home games throughout the play-offs.

During the Wild Card round, the remaining six qualified teams compete: the #2 team hosts the #7 team, #3 plays #6, and #4 faces #5.

In the second round, the #1 seeds enter the competition, hosting the lowest surviving team. The AFC and NFC championship games are then hosted by the highest seed, highlighting the critical value of earning that #1 ranking.

Win or Go Home in the AFC North

Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)

This bitter grudge match reaches its climax in the final game of the regular season. With the AFC North and a postseason spot at stake, this is a true win-or-go-home scenario.

Pittsburgh have been up and down this season, while Baltimore started poorly but remain in the hunt. Player availability could be decisive: Pittsburgh may be without key target their top wideout, while Baltimore's quarterback their MVP QB is a doubt with a back injury.

Star rusher the powerful back might emerge as the x-factor for Baltimore in what promises to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring battle.

NFC West Showdown for the Top Seed

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (01:00, Sunday)

More than just the division title is at stake when the Seahawks visits the 49ers. The winner secures the NFC's top seed and the path to the Super Bowl that it provides.

This matchup pits an explosive San Francisco attack against a stingy Seahawks defense. Since quarterback Brock Purdy came back, San Francisco have been the NFL's highest scorers. Conversely, Seattle's unit is ranked second best in the NFL.

Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold must avoid mistakes that have plagued him this season. The team that comes out on top earns a massive advantage for the postseason journey.

The NFC South's Uncertain Finish

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers (21:30 Saturday)

Neither team comes into this game with much momentum. The Buccaneers have dropped four straight, while Carolina have squandered chances to secure the division.

For Carolina it's straightforward: a victory gets them in. The Buccaneers, the situation is more complex. Even with a victory, they require help from the Atlanta-New Orleans matchup to claim the division crown.

Three-Way Fight for AFC Supremacy

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00, Sunday)
New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (21:25, Sunday)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25, Sunday)

The Denver Broncos hold the cards for the AFC's top seed. A victory over a Chargers team expected to sit starters gets it done.

Should Denver falter, the door opens for the New England Patriots. A Patriots win combined with a Denver defeat would hand the #1 ranking to Bill Belichick's team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the long shot. They need a triumph and defeats for both Denver and New England to achieve an improbable ascent to #1. More importantly, a Jacksonville defeat could allow them to be overtaken by the Houston Texans in the division standings.

Full Slate of Final Week Games

Saturday, 3 January
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30)
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)

Sunday, 4 January
New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons (18:00)
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals (18:00)
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings (18:00)
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (18:00)
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars (18:00)
Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans (18:00)
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills (21:25)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (21:25)
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears (21:25)
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos (21:25)
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders (21:25)
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (21:25)
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles (21:25)
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)