With one week left in the 2023 NFL regular season, the playoff race remains as chaotic as ever. The AFC and NFC each entered Week 17 with 12 teams still mathematically alive. Entering Week 18, the AFC still has three playoff spots remaining. The AFC East title showdown between the Bills and Dolphins is drawing attention. Six teams will compete for the final two spots in the NFC.
The tiebreaker for each team is explained below. Here’s a breakdown of the current standings and what each candidate is facing:
AFC playoff photos
1 |
z-ravens |
13 |
3 |
0 |
.813 |
+210 |
2 |
X-Dolphins |
11 |
Five |
0 |
.688 |
+112 |
3 | y-chief |
Ten |
6 |
0 |
.625 |
+76 |
Four | jaguars |
9 |
7 |
0 |
.563 |
+14 |
Five | X-Browns | 11 | Five | 0 | .688 | +51 |
6 | invoice | Ten | 6 | 0 | .625 | +133 |
7 | colts | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | -15 |
8 | texans | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | +20 |
9 | steelers | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | -27 |
Ten | e-Bengals | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | -35 |
11 | e-broncos | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | -2 |
12 | e-raiders | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -12 |
13 | e jet | 6 | Ten | 0 | .375 | -101 |
14 | e-Titans | Five | 11 | 0 | .313 | -70 |
15 | electronic charger | Five | 11 | 0 | .333 | -51 |
16 | e-Patriots | Four | 12 | 0 | .250 | -116 |
Z-Guaranteed Home Field Advantage
Decided to advance to the playoffs with X
y clinch division
electronic excluded
what will you do know: The Ravens defeated the Dolphins in Week 17, clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The first round is a bye.
Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers
miami dolphins
What you need to know: Despite losing to Baltimore, Miami remains the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The Dolphins will play the Bills next week for the AFC East title.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bills
kansas city chiefs
What you need to know: The Chiefs clinched the AFC West title, are currently the No. 3 seed, and were eliminated with home-field advantage in the AFC.
Remaining schedule: with charger
jacksonville jaguars
What you need to know: The Jaguars are still the No. 4 seed in the AFC and still in first place in the AFC South. The Jaguars won head-to-head tiebreakers against the Texans and Colts to take first place in the division.
Remaining schedule: at the titans
What you need to know: The Browns are the No. 5 seed in the AFC, and with the Ravens clinching the division title, they can’t advance any higher.
Remaining schedule: with the bengals
buffalo bills
What you need to know: The Bills defeated the Patriots and retained the No. 6 seed.They will play the Dolphins next week for the AFC East title.
Remaining schedule: at the dolphins
indianapolis colts
What you need to know: With the win over the Raiders, the Colts are now the No. 7 seed in the AFC, with a head-to-head tiebreaker between the Texans (No. 8) and Steelers (No. 9). If the Colts win, they will advance to the playoffs, so Indianapolis and Houston will play each other next week to keep the season alive.
Remaining schedule: vs. Texans
houston texans
What you need to know: Houston is currently in eighth place, but their win over Tennessee eliminated them from the playoffs, and they lost a head-to-head tiebreaker to seventh-seeded Indianapolis. The Texans also have a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Steelers, and a win would lead to more postgame opportunities.
Remaining schedule: with the colts
pittsburgh steelers
What you need to know: The Steelers continued their pursuit with a win over the Seahawks. Pittsburgh (9th) lost head-to-head tiebreakers to the Colts and Texans. They need help to beat the Ravens and advance to the postseason.
Remaining schedule: at the ravens
cincinnati bengals
What you need to know: The Bengals lose to the Chiefs and are eliminated from the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: vs. Browns
What you need to know: Although the Broncos defeated the Chargers, they were eliminated from the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: with the raiders
las vegas raiders
What you need to know: Raiders are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Broncos
What you need to know: The Jets were eliminated.
Remaining schedule: with the patriots
Los Angeles Chargers
What you need to know: Charger is eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs
tennessee titans
What you need to know: The Titans are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars
new england patriots
What you need to know: The Patriots were eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Jets
NFC Playoffs Photos
1 |
z-49ers |
12 |
Four |
0 |
.773 |
+194 |
2 |
x-cowboys |
11 |
Five |
0 |
.688 |
+166 |
3 | y-lions | 11 | Five | 0 | .688 | +56 |
Four |
buccaneers |
8 |
8 |
0 |
.500 |
+14 |
Five | X-Eagles | 11 | Five | 0 | .688 | +22 |
6 | X Ram | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | +26 |
7 | packers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | +25 |
8 | seahawks | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | -39 |
9 | saint | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | +44 |
Ten | vikings | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -8 |
11 | e-bears | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -11 |
12 | falcons | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -twenty one |
13 | e-giants | Five | 11 | 0 | .313 | -158 |
14 | electronic commander | Four | 12 | 0 | .250 | -161 |
15 | e-cardinals | Four | 12 | 0 | .250 | -124 |
16 | e-panthers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | -171 |
Z-Guaranteed Home Field Advantage
Decided to advance to the playoffs with X
y clinch division
electronic excluded
What you need to know: The 49ers won and the Eagles lost, securing home-field advantage in the NFC. They will receive a bye in the first round.
Remaining schedule: vs. Rams
What you need to know: Dallas returns to the No. 2 seed with a win over the Lions and the Eagles’ loss to the Cardinals. They win next week to clinch the NFC East championship.
Remaining schedule: at the commander
detroit lions
What you need to know: The Lions won the NFC North and are currently the No. 3 seed in the NFC.
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings
tampa bay buccaneers
What you need to know: The Buccaneers continue to lead the NFC South after losing to the Saints. They will hold a tiebreaker based on the highest common match winning percentage, and a win next week could clinch the district championship.
Remaining schedule: at the panthers
philadelphia eagles
What you need to know: The Eagles lost to the Cardinals, falling to the NFC’s No. 5 seed and falling out of first place in the division. Philadelphia needs a Week 18 win and a loss to Dallas to win the NFC East.
Remaining schedule: at the giants
Los Angeles Rams
What you need to know: The Rams defeated the Giants and the Seahawks lost to the Steelers, clinching a playoff berth. They are the No. 6 seed in the conference.
Remaining schedule: with 49ers
green bay packers
What you need to know: The Packers move into seventh place with the big win over the Vikings and can clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Bears in Week 18.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bears
seattle seahawks
What you need to know: The Seahawks sit in eighth place, but their loss to the Steelers means they no longer have control over their playoff destiny. They hold a tiebreaker with the Saints (9th place) due to their better record in conference games.
Remaining schedule: with the cardinals
new orleans saints
What you need to know: The Saints won against the Buccaneers and moved into ninth place, tied for first in the NFC South. The Buccaneers hold the tiebreaker because Tampa Bay has a better winning percentage in typical games.
Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons
minnesota vikings
What you need to know: The Vikings are 10th in the NFC and are on life support. They need a lot of help to beat the Lions in Week 18 and make the playoffs.
Remaining schedule: at the lions
chicago bears
What you need to know: The Bears were eliminated as the Packers defeated the Vikings.
Remaining schedule: at the packers
atlanta falcons
What you need to know: The Falcons lost to the Bears and fell to the 12th seed, but they still have one game left in the NFC South. Atlanta concludes the regular season against New Orleans, which is mathematically still alive in the division race.
Remaining schedule: at the saints
new york giants
What you need to know: The Giants are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles
commander of washington
What you need to know: The commander is eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Cowboys
arizona cardinals
What you need to know: The Cardinals were eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks
carolina panthers
What you need to know: The Panthers were eliminated.
Remaining schedule: vs. Buccaneers