With one week to go before the start of the NFL regular season, the playoff races are as wild and confusing as ever. The AFC and NFC each started Week 17 with 12 teams that were mathematically still alive. At the start of Week 18, the AFC still has three playoff spots up for grabs. An AFC East title showdown between the Bills and Dolphins highlights the action. In the NFC, six teams are fighting for the final two spots.
The tiebreakers for each team are explained below. Here's a breakdown of the current standings and what awaits each participant.
AFC playoff image
| 1 | z-Ravens | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | +210 |
| 2 | x-dolphins | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +112 |
| 3 | Y Chiefs | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | +76 |
| 4 | Jaguars | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | +14 |
| 5 | x-Browns | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +51 |
| 6 | bills | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | +133 |
| 7 | Colts | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | -15 |
| 8th | Texan | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | +20 |
| 9 | Steelers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | -27 |
| 10 | E-Bengals | 8th | 8th | 0 | .500 | -35 |
| 11 | e-Broncos | 8th | 8th | 0 | .500 | -2 |
| 12 | E-Raider | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -12 |
| 13 | E-Jets | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | -101 |
| 14 | e-Titans | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | -70 |
| 15 | E-chargers | 5 | 11 | 0 | .333 | -51 |
| 16 | E-Patriots | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | -116 |
Z-contested home advantage
x-fought playoff spot
Y-crowned division
e-eliminated
What to knowledge: The Ravens secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with their win over the Dolphins in Week 17. You have a bye in the first round.
Remaining schedule: against Steelers
Miami Dolphins
What you should know: Miami remains the No. 2 seed in the AFC despite the loss to Baltimore. The Dolphins play the Bills next week for the AFC East title.
Remaining schedule: vs. bills
Kansas City Chiefs
What you should know: The Chiefs won the AFC West title and are currently the No. 3 seed, eliminated from the AFC due to home-field advantage.
Remaining schedule: at Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars
What you should know: The Jaguars are still No. 4 in the AFC and still first in the AFC South. The Jaguars manage a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Texans and Colts for the league lead.
Remaining schedule: at Titans
What you should know: The Browns are No. 5 in the AFC and can't move up any further because the Ravens win the division.
Remaining schedule: at Bengals
Buffalo Bills
What you should know: The Bills remain the No. 6 seed with their win over the Patriots. They will play the Dolphins next week for the AFC East title
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins
Indianapolis Colts
What you should know: The Colts are currently No. 7 in the AFC after their win over the Raiders and are in a direct tie against the Texans (No. 8) and Steelers (No. 9). Indianapolis and Houston will face off next week in a bid to keep the season alive, as a Colts win will secure them a spot in the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: against Texans
Houston Texans
What you should know: Houston is currently No. 8 and is outside the playoffs after beating Tennessee, losing the head-to-head tiebreaker against Indianapolis for No. 7. The Texans also have the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Steelers, and a win will keep their postseason chances alive.
Remaining schedule: at Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers
What you should know: The Steelers stayed in the race with their win over the Seahawks. Pittsburgh (No. 9) loses the direct tiebreaker against the Colts and Texans. They need a win over the Ravens and some help to make the postseason.
Remaining schedule: at Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
What you should know: The Bengals are eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Chiefs.
Remaining schedule: against Browns
What you should know: The Broncos are eliminated from the playoffs despite their win over the Chargers.
Remaining schedule: at Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders
What you should know: The Raiders are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: against Broncos
What you should know: The Jets are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: at Patriots
Los Angeles Chargers
What you should know: The chargers are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs Chiefs
Tennessee Titans
What you should know: The Titans are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: against Jaguars
New England Patriots
What you should know: The Patriots are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jets
NFC playoff picture
| 1 | Z-49er | 12 | 4 | 0 | .773 | +194 |
| 2 | x-Cowboys | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +166 |
| 3 | y-Lions | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +56 |
| 4 | privateer | 8th | 8th | 0 | .500 | +14 |
| 5 | x Eagles | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +22 |
| 6 | X Rams | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | +26 |
| 7 | packer | 8th | 8th | 0 | .500 | +25 |
| 8th | Seahawks | 8th | 8th | 0 | .500 | -39 |
| 9 | Saints | 8th | 8th | 0 | .500 | +44 |
| 10 | Vikings | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -8th |
| 11 | E-Bears | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -11 |
| 12 | Hawks | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -21 |
| 13 | E-giants | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | -158 |
| 14 | E Commander | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | -161 |
| 15 | E Cardinals | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | -124 |
| 16 | ePanther | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | -171 |
Z-contested home advantage
x-fought playoff spot
Y-crowned division
e-eliminated
What you should know: The 49ers secured home field advantage in the NFC with their win and the Eagles' loss. They will have a bye in the first round.
Remaining schedule: against Rams
What you should know: Dallas returns to No. 2 with its win over the Lions and the Eagles' loss to the Cardinals. Next week they will secure the NFC East with a win.
Remaining schedule: at Commanders
Detroit Lions
What you should know: The Lions won the NFC North and are currently No. 3 in the NFC.
Remaining schedule: against Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What you should know: The Buccaneers continue to lead the NFC South after losing to the Saints. They hold the tiebreaker based on the best win percentage in games together and can clinch the division with a win next week.
Remaining schedule: at the Panthers
Philadelphia Eagles
What you should know: With the loss to the Cardinals, the Eagles drop to 5th place in the NFC and lose the lead in the division. Philadelphia needs a win and a loss at Dallas in Week 18 to win the NFC East.
Remaining schedule: at Giants
Los Angeles Rams
What you should know: The Rams secured a playoff spot with their win over the Giants and the Seahawks' loss to the Steelers. They are the No. 6 seed in the conference.
Remaining schedule: at 49ers
Green Bay Packers
What you should know: The Packers moved up to No. 7 with their big win over the Vikings and can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Bears in Week 18.
Remaining schedule: against bears
Seattle Seahawks
What you should know: The Seahawks are in 8th place but are no longer in control of their own playoff fate after their loss to the Steelers. Because of their better record in conference games, they hold the tiebreaker over the Saints (No. 9).
Remaining schedule: at Cardinals
New Orleans Saints
What you should know: The Saints are No. 9 after their win over the Buccaneers and are now tied for first place in the NFC South. Tampa Bay has the better winning percentage in regular games, so the Buccaneers hold the tiebreaker.
Remaining schedule: against hawks
Minnesota Vikings
What you should know: The Vikings are No. 10 in the NFC and on life support. They need a win over the Lions in Week 18 and a lot of help to make the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: at Lions
Chicago Bears
What you should know: The Bears were eliminated by the Packers' victory over the Vikings.
Remaining schedule: at Packers
Atlanta Falcons
What you should know: With their loss to the Bears, the Falcons drop to No. 12, one game out of the NFC South. Atlanta ends its regular season with New Orleans, which is still mathematically alive in the division race.
Remaining schedule: with saints
New York Giants
What you should know: The Giants are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs Eagles
Washington commanders
What you should know: The commanders are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: against cowboys
Arizona Cardinals
What you should know: The Cardinals are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: against Seahawks
Carolina Panthers
What you should know: The Panthers are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: against Buccaneers