Week 18 of the NFL season is often a hectic affair, filled with intrigue and drama as teams at the top and bottom of the NFL standings jostle for position in wintery conditions.
The 2025 season should offer sights. Although onlookers are privy to most of the postseason participants, the actual seeding of the seven teams from each conference is largely unknown.
The Broncos and Patriots are locked in a battle for the top seed in the AFC, while the Seahawks and 49ers will duel for division and conference glory in their primetime clash on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Steelers find themselves facing serious challenges for their divisional title aspirations from the Buccaneers and Ravens, respectively.
All that amounts to plenty of carnage in the playoff standings. How will the bracket look come the end of the Week 18 slate? It's anyone's guess. Rest assured, there will be plenty of fireworks before things are finalized.
AllSportsPeople is tracking the playoff standings during Week 18. Follow below for updates as the playoff bracket is finalized across the final two days of the NFL season.
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NFL playoff standings Week 18
AFC playoff picture
| Seed | Team | Record | Clinched? |
| 1 | Broncos | 13-3 | AFC West, playoff berth |
| 2 | Patriots | 13-3 | AFC East, playoff berth |
| 3 | Jaguars | 12-4 | Playoff berth |
| 4 | Steelers | 9-7 | |
| 5 | Texans | 11-5 | Playoff berth |
| 6 | Chargers | 11-5 | Playoff berth |
| 7 | Bills | 11-5 | Playoff berth |
Still in the hunt: Ravens (8-8)
NFC playoff picture
| Seed | Team | Record | Clinched? |
| 1 | Seahawks | 13-3 | Playoff berth |
| 2 | Bears | 11-5 | NFC North, playoff berth |
| 3 | Eagles | 11-5 | NFC East, playoff berth |
| 4 | Panthers | 8-8 | |
| 5 | 49ers | 12-4 | Playoff berth |
| 6 | Rams | 11-5 | Playoff berth |
| 7 | Packers | 9-6-1 | Playoff berth, No. 7 seed |
NFL tiebreakers, explained
Here's a look at the tiebreakers that determined which teams had the advantage over the other in the NFL playoff race entering Week 18.
AFC tiebreakers
- The Broncos own the tiebreaker over the Patriots by virtue of record in common games.
- The Texans own the tiebreaker over the Bills by virtue of head-to-head record.
- The Texans own the tiebreaker over the Chargers by virtue of head-to-head record.
- The Chargers own the tiebreaker over the Bills by virtue of record in common games.
NFC tiebreakers
- The Bears own the tiebreaker over the Eagles by virtue of head-to-head record.
- The Rams own the tiebreaker over the 49ers by virtue of record in common games.
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NFL clinching scenarios Week 18
AFC
Denver Broncos (13-3)
Games remaining: vs. Chargers
The Broncos can clinch the AFC's top seed with a win or tie against the Chargers and a Patriots loss or tie against the Dolphins OR by New England losing to Miami and Jacksonville losing or tying against Tennessee.
New England Patriots (13-3)
Games remaining: vs. Dolphins
The Patriots can clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed with either a win against the Dolphins and a Broncos' loss or draw to the Chargers OR a tie against the Dolphins and a Broncos loss to Los Angeles.
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)
Games remaining: vs. Titans
The Jaguars will clinch the AFC South title with a win or tie OR a Texans loss or tie in Week 18. They're technically in the hunt for the No. 1 seed, although they'd need to win their game and the Broncos and Patriots to lose their matchups to have a shot at the top spot.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
Games remaining: vs. Ravens
The Steelers can clinch the AFC North by beating (or tying with) the Ravens in Week 18.
Buffalo Bills (11-5)
The Bills will clinch the No. 5 seed if they beat the Dolphins and the Texans and Chargers lose or draw their games. Buffalo can clinch the No. 6 seed if they beat the Dolphins and one of Houston or Los Angeles draws or loses its Week 18 fixture.
Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
Games remaining: at Steelers
The Ravens will clinch the AFC North if they beat the Steelers in Week 18.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
Games remaining: vs. 49ers
Seattle will clinch the NFC West and No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win or tie against the 49ers in Week 18.
Chicago Bears (11-5)
Games remaining: vs. Lions
The Bears will clinch the No. 2 seed with a win over the Lions.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
Games remaining: vs. Commanders
The Eagles will clinch the No. 2 seed with a win against the Commanders and a Bears loss or draw against the Lions in Week 18.
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Carolina Panthers (8-8)
Games remaining: at Buccaneers
The Panthers will clinch the NFC South title with a win or draw against the Buccaneers OR a Falcons win over the Saints in Week 18.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Games remaining: vs. Seahawks
The 49ers will clinch the NFC West title and NFC's No. 1 seed with a win against the Seahawks in Week 18.
Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
Games remaining: vs. Cardinals
The Rams will clinch the No. 5 seed with a win over the Cardinals and a 49ers loss in Week 18.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
Games remaining: vs. Panthers
The Buccaneers will clinch the NFC South title with a win against the Panthers in Week 18.
NFL elimination scenarios Week 18
Here's what to know about the elimination scenarios for each team.
AFC
Ravens
The Ravens will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or draw against the Steelers in Week 18.
Steelers
The Steelers will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Ravens in Week 18.
NFC
Buccaneers
The Buccaneers will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or draw against the Panthers in Week 18.
Panthers
The Panthers could be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss against the Buccaneers and a Falcons loss against the Saints in Week 18.