Things always get a little crazy in the final week of the regular season, and this year was no different.
The Tennessee Titans sent shockwaves around the AFC in the first few games with a 28-20 victory over Jacksonville. If the Jaguars had won, they would have clinched the AFC South title, but they are eliminated from the playoffs.
Here’s how Tennessee’s win impacts the AFC playoff race:
- The Texans clinched the AFC South
- The Steelers clinched a playoff spot
- The Bills clinched a playoff spot
- The Jaguars were eliminated
The AFC playoff field is now set, but three of the seeds are still up in the air and they won’t be settled until after the Bills and Dolphins game Sunday night.
In the NFC, the entire playoff field is now set. The Packers clinched the final spot with a 17-9 win over the Bears. The Rams also earned a 21-20 victory over the 49ers to clinch the sixth seed in the NFC and the win created a ripple effect that will now see Los Angeles face Jared Goff and the Lions in the wild round -cards.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the current playoff standings, as well as what the playoff bracket currently looks like heading into the final game of the NFL season on Sunday night.
Of course, every team’s ultimate goal in the playoffs is to play Super Bowl LVIII, which will be televised by CBS and broadcast via Paramount+ (sign up for a 7-day free trial).
AFC playoff standings
ELIMINATED
Foals (9-8): The Colts would have punched their ticket to the playoffs with a win against Houston, but they were eliminated.
Jaguars (9-8): The Jags had to beat the Titans to win the AFC South, but they will stay home after losing at Tennessee.
AFC wild-card matches (based on current standings)
AFC
(7) Steelers vs. (2) Dolphins
(6) Bills to (3) Chiefs
(5) Browns at (4) Texans
Bye: Crows
NFC Playoff Rankings
ELIMINATED
Saints (9-8): The Saints had a chance to win the NFC South title, but they needed the Buccaneers to lose. When that didn’t happen, they also had a chance at a wild card spot, but they needed the Packers to lose to have a chance of getting in and that didn’t happen.
Seahawks (9-8)
Possible seeds: To make the playoffs, the Seahawks needed a win combined with a Packers loss, but that second game didn’t happen, meaning their season is now over.
Falcons (7-10): To make the playoffs, the Falcons needed a win and a Buccaneers loss, and neither of those things happened.
Vikings (7-10): The Vikings needed to beat the Lions to keep their playoff hopes alive, but that didn’t happen.
NFC wild-card games (based on current standings)
NFC
(7) Packers at (2) Cowboys
(6) Rams to (3) Leos
(5) Eagles to (4) Buccaneers
Bye:49ers
