Patriots Clinch AFC East, 49ers to Battle Seahawks, Ravens Still Alive/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New England Patriots clinched the AFC East in dramatic fashion, while the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are headed for a Week 18 showdown to decide the NFC’s top seed. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens kept their postseason hopes alive. With 12 playoff spots locked in, only two remain up for grabs heading into the final week of the regular season.
NFL Playoff Picture — Quick Look
- New England Patriots clinched the AFC East with a blowout win over the Jets and a Bills loss
- Buffalo Bills dropped to the lower AFC seeds, ending a five-year division title streak
- Denver Broncos secured the AFC West and remain in the hunt for the No. 1 seed
- Baltimore Ravens stayed alive after a Browns win; face a winner-take-all game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers
- San Francisco 49ers set up a decisive Week 18 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West and No. 1 seed
- Chicago Bears completed a worst-to-first turnaround by winning the NFC North
- Philadelphia Eagles repeated as NFC East champions
- Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers could meet in a winner-take-all NFC South finale
- Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans remain locked in a tight AFC South race
- With 12 of 14 playoff spots filled, Week 18 will determine both No. 1 seeds and the final wild-card berths
Patriots Clinch AFC East, 49ers to Battle Seahawks, Ravens Still Alive
NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE – WEEK 17 UPDATE
With one week left in the regular season, 12 of 14 playoff spots are secured, and division titles, No. 1 seeds, and two wild card berths are still in play.
AFC BREAKDOWN
AFC East
- Clinched: Patriots (13–3)
- Eliminated from Division Title: Bills (11–5)
- Key Notes:
- New England pulled off a worst-to-first turnaround under Mike Vrabel, securing their first division title since 2019.
- They’ll clinch the No. 1 seed with a win over Miami and a Denver loss/tie.
AFC North
- Still in Play: Ravens (8–8) vs. Steelers (9–7) – Week 18 showdown
- Scenario:
- Winner advances, loser eliminated.
- Steelers won their first meeting 27–22.
- Lamar Jackson‘s status remains unclear due to a back injury.
AFC South
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12–4): Clinch division with a win/tie vs. Titans OR a Houston loss/tie.
- Houston Texans (11–5): Win division only with a win and a Jaguars loss.
AFC West
- Division Clinched: Broncos (13–3), ending Kansas City’s 9-year reign.
- Top Seed Scenario:
- Denver secures No. 1 seed with a win vs. Chargers or a Patriots loss.
- Chargers (11–5): Locked into a wild card spot (No. 5, 6, or 7).
NFC BREAKDOWN
NFC East
- Eagles (11–5): First team in 20 years to win division back-to-back.
- Will be No. 2 or No. 3 seed.
NFC North
- Bears (11–5): Clinch first division title since 2018.
- Locked into No. 2 or No. 3 seed.
- Packers (9–6–1): Locked into the No. 7 seed.
NFC South
- Still in Play: Panthers (8–8), Buccaneers (7–9), Falcons (6–9)
- If Falcons lose Monday: Panthers vs. Bucs becomes a winner-take-all game.
- If Falcons win out: Panthers still clinch based on 3-way tiebreaker advantage.
NFC West
- 49ers (12–4) vs. Seahawks (13–3) in Week 18 for division AND No. 1 seed
- If 49ers win: They clinch NFC West and home-field advantage
- If Seahawks win or tie: They lock in top seed
- Rams (11–4): Locked into wild card spot (No. 5 or 6)
WEEK 18 GAMES WITH HUGE IMPLICATIONS:
- Ravens at Steelers – Loser goes home
- Panthers at Buccaneers – Winner likely takes NFC South
- 49ers vs. Seahawks – No. 1 seed on the line
- Jaguars vs. Titans & Texans vs. Colts – AFC South title still open
Teams Already In
AFC Playoff Teams (6/7)
- Patriots (AFC East)
- Broncos (AFC West)
- Jaguars (AFC South)
- Texans
- Chargers
- Bills
NFC Playoff Teams (6/7)
- Seahawks
- 49ers
- Eagles
- Bears
- Rams
- Packers
Wild Card Watch
AFC
- Final spot will go to either Ravens or Steelers
NFC
- Final spot depends on outcome of NFC South race — Panthers, Bucs, or Falcons (slim chance)
Final Word:
As Week 18 looms, two playoff spots, two division crowns, and both No. 1 seeds are still undecided. Expect fireworks as teams fight for postseason positioning and a path to Super Bowl LX, set to be played at Levi’s Stadium.
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