NFL Week 18 playoff-clinching situations: High seed within the AFC nonetheless up for grabs

We’re on the end line of the 2021 common season. As we step into Week 18, we do have a strong grasp of what the upcoming playoff image goes to seem like. Within the NFC, we have already got three division winners and the Inexperienced Bay Packers secured the No. 1 seed within the convention with a win in Week 17. In the meantime, within the AFC there are additionally three division winners already topped, however the prime seed continues to be up for grabs together with just a few different playoff spots. 

Beneath, you may discover all of the completely different permutations for a way varied groups sneak their means into the postseason and the way quite a lot of golf equipment within the AFC might discover themselves with the No. 1 seed by the week’s finish. 

Clinch playoff berth with:

1. BAL win + LAC loss + IND loss + MIA loss or tie

Week 18 opponent: Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Clinch AFC East division title with: 

1. BUF win OR
2. NE loss OR
3. BUF tie + NE tie

Week 18 opponent: Jets (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed, solely first-round bye and home-field benefit with:

1. CIN win + TEN loss + KC loss + NE loss or tie OR
2. CIN win + TEN loss + KC loss + BUF win

Week 18 opponent: at Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. on FOX)

Clinch playoff berth with:

1. IND win or tie OR
2. LAC loss + BAL-PIT tie OR
3. LAC loss + PIT loss + MIA win

Week 18 opponent: at Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed, solely first-round bye and home-field benefit with:

1. KC win + TEN loss or tie OR
2. KC tie + TEN loss

Week 18 opponent: at Broncos (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. on ESPN, ABC) 

Clinch playoff berth with:

1. LV win OR
2. LV tie + IND loss OR
3. IND loss + PIT loss or tie

Week 18 opponent: Chargers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. on NBC)

Los Angeles Chargers (9-7) 

 Clinch playoff berth with:

1. LAC win or tie

Week 18 opponent: at Raiders (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. on NBC)

Clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed, solely first-round bye and home-field benefit with:

1. NE win + BUF loss or tie + KC loss + TEN loss

Clinches AFC East division title with:

1. NE win + BUF loss or tie OR
2. NE tie + BUF loss

Week 18 opponent: at Dolphins (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1)

Clinch playoff berth with:

1. PIT win + IND loss + LV-LAC recreation doesn’t finish in a tie

Week 18 opponent: at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed, solely first-round bye and home-field benefit with:

1. TEN win OR
2. TEN tie + KC loss or tie OR
3. KC loss + CIN loss or tie + NE loss or tie OR
4. KC loss + CIN loss or tie + BUF win

Week 18 opponent: at Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Clinch NFC West division title with:

1. ARI win + LAR loss

Week 18 opponent: Seahawks (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on FOX)

Clinch NFC West division title with:

1. LAR win or tie OR
2. ARI loss or tie

Week 18 opponent: 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on FOX)

Clinch playoff berth with:

1. NO win + SF loss

Week 18 opponent: at Falcons (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on FOX)

San Francisco 49ers (9-7) 

Clinch playoff berth with:

1. SF win or tie OR
2. NO loss or tie

Week 18 opponent: at Rams (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. on FOX)