NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: What's left to play for Sunday? Michael MiddlehurstSchwartz, USA TODAYJanuary 4, 2026 at 5:04 AM 0 With only 14 games remaining in the NFL regular season, the convoluted clinching scenarios are a thing of the past. The playoff picture has largely come into focus, with 12 of 14 entrants already decided and five of eight division crowns claimed. But there are still a few matters left to be sorted out on Sunday. Among the most notable unresolved issues are who will claim the AFC North and the NFC South.
- - NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: What's left to play for Sunday?
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAYJanuary 4, 2026 at 5:04 AM
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With only 14 games remaining in the NFL regular season, the convoluted clinching scenarios are a thing of the past.
The playoff picture has largely come into focus, with 12 of 14 entrants already decided and five of eight division crowns claimed. But there are still a few matters left to be sorted out on Sunday.
Among the most notable unresolved issues are who will claim the AFC North and the NFC South. The former will be decided by a winner-take-all showdown between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers to conclude the regular season on "Sunday Night Football." The latter will come down to the Atlanta Falcons' meeting with the New Orleans Saints – though neither team can make it into the playoffs. A Falcons win will send the Carolina Panthers to the postseason for the first time since 2017, while a Saints win will ensure the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold onto the division title for a fifth consecutive season.
Here's what all is on the table for Week 18:
NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenariosDenver Broncos Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Broncos clinch AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:
Broncos win
Broncos tie + Patriots loss or tie
Patriots loss + Jaguars loss or tie
New England Patriots Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Patriots clinch AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:
Patriots win + Broncos loss or tie
Patriots tie + Broncos loss
Jacksonville Jaguars Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Jaguars clinch AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:
Jaguars win + Broncos loss + Patriots loss
Jaguars clinch AFC South with:
Jaguars win or tie
Texans loss
Houston Texans Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Texans clinch AFC South with:
Texans win + Jaguars loss
Baltimore Ravens Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Ravens clinch AFC North with:
Ravens win
Pittsburgh Steelers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Steelers clinch AFC North with:
Steelers win or tie
Carolina Panthers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Panthers clinch NFC South with:
Falcons win
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios
Buccaneers clinch NFC South with:
Falcons loss or tie
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: What's at stake Sunday?
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Published: January 04, 2026 at 01:27PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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