2023 24 NFL Week 18 Playoff Scenarios Texans secure nod Steelers

2023-24 NFL Week 18 Playoff Scenarios: Texans secure nod, Steelers need help after Saturday wins – The Athletic

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The Houston Texans secured at least a wild card spot and the Pittsburgh Steelers increased their playoff chances with their respective wins on Saturday. But both teams are still among those whose postseason scenarios have not yet been decided.

Four postseason bids and four division titles remain unclaimed as the NFL heads into play on Sunday. Below is an overview of all scenarios for each team with playoff life remaining:

AFC

Closed

To win

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, won against Ravens on Saturday)

Pittsburgh secures the playoff spot with:

  • Loss of bills OR
  • Jaguars lose or draw

    • Buffalo Bills (10-6) at Miami (11-5); Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

    Buffalo captures the AFC East Division title with:

  • Win bills

    • Buffalo secures the playoff spot with:

  • draw OR
  • Jaguars lose or draw

    • Houston Texans (10-7, won at Colts on Saturday)

    Houston clinches the AFC South Division title with:

  • Jaguars lose or draw

    • Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) at Tennessee (5-11); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

    Jacksonville captures the AFC South Division title with:

  • Jaguars win

    • Miami Dolphins (11-5) vs. Buffalo (10-6); Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

    Miami clinch the AFC East Division title with:

  • Dolphins win or draw

    • GO DEEPER

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    NFC

    Closed

    To win

    Atlanta Falcons (7-9) at New Orleans (8-8); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

    Atlanta clinches the NFC South Division title with:

  • Falcons win + Buccaneers lose

    • Dallas Cowboys (11-5) at Washington (4-12); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

    Dallas clinches the NFC East division title with:

  • Cowboys win OR
  • Cowboys tie + Eagles tie OR
  • Eagles loss

    • Green Bay Packers (8-8) against Chicago (7-9); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

    Green Bay secures the playoff spot with:

  • Packers win OR
  • Packers draw + Seahawks loss or tie + Saints loss or draw OR
  • Packers tie + Seahawks loss + Buccaneers loss OR
  • Packers tie + Seahawks tie + Buccaneers loss or tie OR
  • Vikings loss or draw + Seahawks loss + Buccaneers loss OR
  • Vikings loss or draw + Seahawks loss + Saints loss

    • GO DEEPER

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    Minnesota Vikings (7-9) at Detroit (11-5); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

    Minnesota secures the playoff spot with:

  • Vikings win + Packers loss + Seahawks loss + Buccaneers loss OR
  • Vikings win + Packers loss + Seahawks loss + Saints loss

    • New Orleans Saints (8-8) vs. Atlanta (7-9); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

    New Orleans clinches the NFC South Division title with:

  • Saints win + Buccaneers lose or draw OR
  • Saints draw + Buccaneers loss

    • New Orleans secures the playoff spot with:

  • Saints win + Seahawks loss or tie + Packers loss or tie OR
  • Saints draw + Seahawks loss + Packers loss

    • Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) at the NY Giants (5-11); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

    Philadelphia clinches the NFC East division title with:

  • Eagles win + Cowboys lose or draw OR
  • Eagles draw + Cowboys loss

    • Seattle Seahawks (8-8) at Arizona (4-12); Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX

    Seattle secures the playoff spot with:

  • Seahawks win + Packers lose or draw OR
  • Seahawks tie + Packers loss + Buccaneers loss or tie OR
  • Seahawks tie + Packers loss + Saints loss or tie

    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) at Carolina (2-14); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

    Tampa Bay clinches the NFC South Division title with:

  • Buccaneers win OR
  • Buccaneers draw + Saints loss or draw

    • Tampa Bay secures the playoff spot with:

  • Buccaneers tie + Seahawks loss + Packers loss or tie

    • Required reading

    (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)