The NFL regular season is coming down to the wire, and the playoff picture is rapidly coming into focus—though chaos is still very much on the menu.
As we head into the final stretch, the Denver Broncos (AFC) and Seattle Seahawks (NFC) are currently sitting in the driver's seats for their respective conferences. Both hold identical 12-3-0 records and are clinging to those coveted No. 1 seeds, which come with the crucial first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But nothing is guaranteed yet. With several division titles still contested and the Wild Card race tightening up, this upcoming slate of games is massive.
Here is a complete breakdown of the bracket if the season ended today, followed by exactly what needs to happen this weekend for teams to secure their spots.
The Current NFL Playoff Picture
If the season ended right now, here is how the Wild Card Weekend matchups would look.
AFC Matchups
(1) Denver Broncos (12-3-0)
(7) Houston Texans (10-5-0)
(2) New England Patriots (12-3-0)
(6) Buffalo Bills (11-4-0)
(3) Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4-0)
(5) L.A. Chargers (11-4-0)
(4) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6-0)
NFC Matchups
(1) Seattle Seahawks (12-3-0)
(7) Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
(2) Chicago Bears (11-4-0)
(6) L.A. Rams (11-4-0)
(3) Philadelphia Eagles (10-5-0)
(5) San Francisco 49ers (11-4-0)
(4) Carolina Panthers (8-7-0)
Clinching Scenarios
Here is exactly what needs to happen this weekend for teams to lock up divisions, seeds, or playoff berths.
AFC Scenarios
Denver Broncos
-
Clinches AFC West, No. 1 Seed, Bye & Home-Field with:
DEN Win + LAC Loss/Tie + NE Loss + BUF Loss/Tie + JAC Loss/Tie -
Clinches AFC West Division Title with:
1. DEN Win + LAC Loss/Tie OR
2. DEN Tie + LAC Loss
New England Patriots
-
Clinches AFC East Division Title with:
1. NE Win + BUF Loss/Tie OR
2. NE Tie + BUF Loss
Jacksonville Jaguars
-
Clinches AFC South Division Title with:
1. JAC Win + HOU Loss/Tie OR
2. JAC Tie + HOU Loss
Pittsburgh Steelers
-
Clinches AFC North Division Title with:
1. PIT Win or Tie OR
2. BAL Loss or Tie
Houston Texans
-
Clinches Playoff Berth with:
1. HOU Win or Tie OR
2. IND Loss or Tie OR
3. HOU clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over IND
NFC Scenarios
Seattle Seahawks
-
Clinches NFC West, No. 1 Seed, Bye & Home-Field with:
SEA Win + LAR Loss/Tie + SF-CHI Tie -
Clinches NFC West Division Title with:
1. SEA Win + LAR Loss/Tie + SF Loss/Tie OR
2. SEA Tie + LAR Loss + SF Loss
Chicago Bears
-
Clinches NFC North Division Title with:
1. CHI Win OR
2. GB Loss OR
3. CHI Tie + GB Tie
Carolina Panthers
-
Clinches NFC South Division Title with:
1. CAR Win + TB Loss/Tie OR
2. CAR Tie + TB Loss
Green Bay Packers
-
Clinches Playoff Berth with:
1. GB Win or Tie OR
2. DET Loss or Tie
It’s going to be a massive weekend of football with huge implications on the line. Which scenario are you most focused on? Let us know in the comments!