Here's how the NFL playoff picture looks with Week 18 underway:AFCy – 1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5), AFC West champions: Pulled out a win against Denver Broncos on Saturday afternoon, restoring them to first place in conference. But K.C. needs Houston Texans to complete season sweep of Titans on Sunday in order to claim No. 1 seed for the third time in four seasons. Remaining schedule: TBDy – 2. Tennessee Titans (11-5), AFC South champions: Back-to-back division titlists beat Chiefs in Week 7 – meaning a Tennessee victory in Houston on Sunday will give the Titans the AFC's bye and home-field advantage. Remaining schedule: at TexansCLINCHING SCENARIOS:What remaining teams need to do to reach postseasonMORE:What will be the biggest surprises in Week 18 of NFL's regular season?y – 3. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6), AFC North champions: Division winners for the first time since 2015, but Kansas City's victory Saturday means Cincy no longer eligible for first-round bye. Now focus turns to winning first playoff game in three decades. Remaining schedule: at Brownsx – 4. Buffalo Bills (10-6), AFC East leaders: They trail Cincinnati due to an inferior record in AFC games (6-5) but will win the division with a victory because their AFC East record (4-1) trumps New England's. However there's no scenario that gets Buffalo the No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: vs. Jetsx – 5. New England Patriots (10-6), wild card No. 1: Restored to postseason after one-year, post-Tom Brady hiatus. Beat the Fins in Week 18 and hope the New York Jets can ambush Buffalo, and Patriots would reclaim AFC East throne. Chiefs' win Saturday means New England can no longer earn No. 1 seed. Remaining schedule: at Dolphins6. Indianapolis Colts (9-7), wild card No. 2: A win in Jacksonville finalizes a berth. The Colts can also back in with a loss if the Chargers and Steelers lose and Miami wins. Remaining schedule: at Jaguars7. Los Angeles Chargers (9-7), wild card No. 3: They eliminated the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins with their Week 17 win. But Bolts can't afford to slip up in the regular-season finale, which is a must-win affair in Sin City. Remaining schedule: at Raiders8. Las Vegas Raiders (9-7), out of playoff field: They're officially into the Super Bowl tournament by beating Bolts at the Death Star on Sunday night. Silver and Black can also gain playoff entry if the Colts and Steelers both lose. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1), out of playoff field: They remain on life support, but Monday night's crucial win over Cleveland gives them a shot – one that requires a win in Week 18 combined with a loss by Indianapolis ... while assuming the Chargers and Raiders don't tie. Remaining schedule: at Ravens 10. Baltimore Ravens (8-8), out of playoff field: Losers of five in a row, their mathematical viability has dwindled to almost nothing. The AFC's leaders just a few weeks ago, Ravens must win and hope the Chargers, Colts and Dolphins all lose to salvage a spot. Remaining schedule: vs. Steelers NFCyz – 1. Green Bay Packers (13-3), NFC North champions: They own league's best record, a performance that has now brought Aaron Rodgers and Co. a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the second straight year. Remaining schedule: at Lionsx – 2. Los Angeles Rams (12-4), NFC West leaders: They're only a win (or Arizona loss) away from beginning their quest to play Super Bowl 56 at SoFi Stadium ... at SoFi Stadium. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ersy – 3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-4), NFC South champions: They've managed to climb back up to the third seed while simultaneously appearing to unravel amid Antonio Brown's shenanigans. Remaining schedule: vs. Panthersy – 4. Dallas Cowboys (12-5), NFC East champions: Saturday's blowout of the Eagles didn't improve their seeding. But Cowboys, given their 10-2 conference record, would climb to No. 2 if they wind up in a three-way tie with the Bucs and NFC West champions. Remaining schedule: TBDx – 5. Arizona Cardinals (11-5), wild card No. 1: Will win NFC West if Rams cooperate with Week 18 loss and Cards get past Seattle. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks6. San Francisco 49ers (9-7), wild card No. 2: Win in Week 18 and they're in. Saints loss also clinches spot for Niners. Remaining schedule: at Rams x – 7. Philadelphia Eagles (9-8), wild card No. 3: Rested most of their key players in Saturday's loss to Dallas. Will move up to No. 6 seed if New Orleans replaces San Francisco in NFC bracket. Remaining schedule: TBD8. New Orleans Saints (8-8), out of playoff field: Need win and Niners loss to advance. Remaining schedule: at Falconsx – clinched berthy – clinched divisionz – clinched first-round bye and home-field advantage******Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis. Source link
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