USATSI
After 17 weeks of football, the 2022 NFL season boils down to this. So which teams are still officially fighting for playoff spots as we approach Week 18? And how does each of them actually secure a trip into the post-season? We are so glad you asked. Below is an updated overview of the latest clinch scenarios for the remaining open playoff spots:
One more thing: AFC scenarios are subject to change as the NFL postpones Monday night’s Bills and Bengals game following the collapse of Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin on the field. The league is focused on Hamlin’s health and is yet to make a decision on the Bills-Bengals matchup as of Wednesday night. The scenarios change depending on whether the game is continued or abandoned altogether. The following scenarios assume the Bills and Bengals continue their showdown.
AFC scenarios
#1 Seeded (Bye + Home Field Advantage)
Chiefs clinch with one of the following:
- Profit + 1 bills loss
- 2 Bill’s losses + Bengal’s loss
Invoices cling to one of the following:
- 2 wins
- Victory in Bengals + Chiefs loss
- Win over Patriots + Chiefs and Bengals lose in Week 18
Bengals clinch with any of the following:
AFC South Title
- Jaguars (8-8) clinch with: Win/Draw against Titans
- Titans (7-9) clinch with: Victory at Jaguars
AFC North title
- Bengals (11-4) clinch with: win against Ravens or win/tie against Bills
#7 seed wildcard
- Patriots (8-8) clinch with: Bills win OR Dolphins lose to Jets AND Steelers lose to Browns AND Jaguars win to Titans
- Dolphins (8-8) clinch with: Win against Jets AND Patriots loss at Bills
- Steelers (8-8) clinch with: Win against Browns AND Dolphins lost to Jets AND Patriots lost to Bills
- Jaguars (8-8) win with: Loss to Titans AND losses to Dolphins, Patriots and Steelers
NFC scenarios
#1 Seeded (Bye + Home Field Advantage)
Eagles clinch with any of the following:
49ers clinch with any of the following:
- Win against Cardinals + Eagles Loss to Giants
Cowboys cling with one of the following:
- Commanders win + Eagles loss vs. Giants + 49ers loss/tie vs. Cardinals
NFC East Title
- Eagles (13-3) win with: Win at Giants OR Cowboys Lose at Commanders
- Cowboys (12-4) win by: Commanders win AND Eagles loss to Giants
#7 seed wildcard
- Packers (8-8) clinch with: Win against Lions
- Lions (8-8) win with: Packers Win AND Seahawks Loss/Draw vs. Rams OR Tie vs. Packers AND Seahawks Loss vs. Rams OR Tie vs. Packers AND Rams-Seahawks Tie AND Commanders Win vs. Cowboys
- Seahawks (8-8) win by: Win vs. Rams AND Packers Lose/Draw vs. Lions OR Tie vs. Rams AND Lions-Packers Tie AND Commanders Lose/Draw vs. Cowboys
For a complete look at playoff standings, scenarios, and projected first-round fixtures across the NFL, check out our updated postseason prediction here.