This is why we love the NFL. 256 games later, and we still don't know who is winning the AFC North, the NFC South, or the NFC West. We don't even know who is getting the Byes.
The league has backloaded the schedule with massive division rivalry games. Here is everything at stake in the final weekend of the 2025 regular season.
Current Playoff Picture (Entering Week 18)
| AFC PROJECTED SEEDS | ||
| 1 | Denver Broncos (13-3) Clinches #1 with WIN vs Chargers |
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| 2 | New England Patriots (13-3) Need Win + DEN Loss for #1 |
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| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) Clinched Playoff Spot |
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| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) Win-and-In vs Ravens |
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| 5 | Buffalo Bills (11-5) Top Wild Card |
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| 6 | L.A. Chargers (11-5) In the Hunt |
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| 7 | Houston Texans (11-5) Current Final Spot |
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| NFC PROJECTED SEEDS | ||
| 1 | Seattle Seahawks (13-3) Clinches #1 with WIN vs 49ers |
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| 2 | Chicago Bears (11-5) Clinched NFC North |
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| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) Clinched NFC East |
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| 4 | Carolina Panthers (8-8) Win-and-In vs Bucs |
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| 5 | San Francisco 49ers (12-4) Can jump to #1 with Win |
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| 6 | L.A. Rams (11-5) Locked into Wild Card |
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| 7 | Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) Locked into #7 Seed |
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The Main Event: Battle for the NFC #1 Seed
San Francisco 49ers (12-4) vs. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- The Stakes: It doesn't get bigger than this. Saturday Night Football. Winner takes the NFC West crown and the #1 Overall Seed (and the Bye).
- If Seattle wins or ties: They clinch the NFC West and the #1 Seed.
- If San Francisco wins: They clinch the NFC West and the #1 Seed via head-to-head tiebreaker (sweeping Seattle).
- The Loser: Gets the #5 seed and has to play on the road in the Wild Card round.
The "Win-and-In" Games
Baltimore Ravens (8-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
- The Stakes: Sunday Night Football. Good old-fashioned AFC North hatred.
- The Scenario: Simple. The winner is the AFC North Champion and hosts a home playoff game. The loser goes home.
Carolina Panthers (8-8) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- The Stakes: The NFC South title is on the line in this battle of attrition.
- Panthers Scenario: Win (or Tie) and they are in as the #4 Seed.
- Buccaneers Scenario: Must WIN and have the Falcons lose to the Saints to steal the division.
The Fight for the AFC #1 Seed
Three teams are still alive for the lone AFC Bye.
- Denver Broncos (13-3): Win vs. Chargers = #1 Seed. (They can also clinch if Patriots lose).
- New England Patriots (13-3): Need a WIN vs. Dolphins + a Broncos Loss.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4): The longshot. They need a WIN vs. Titans + Broncos Loss + Patriots Loss to miracle their way into the #1 spot.
My Predictions
- The 49ers get the win at home vs Seattle and take the #1 seed in the final week.
- The Ravens (despite injuries and struggles this season) fight their way back and steal the AFC North from the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
- The Panthers beat the Bucs and take the NFC South crown.
- The Broncos beat the Chargers and take the AFC West crown.
Buckle up. It’s going to be a wild finish.
