Wk 18 Stakes: Seeding, Division Titles, and Elimination Games Define Final NFL Weekend

Division crowns, conference seeding, and final playoff spots remain undecided as the NFL enters the final weekend of the regular season.

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The final weekend of the NFL regular season arrives with multiple playoff races still unresolved, as Week 18 presents win-and-in scenarios, seeding implications, and elimination games across both conferences. Several matchups will directly determine division champions and the final composition of the postseason field.

Seattle and San Francisco headline the weekend in a primetime NFC West showdown. The Seahawks enter at 13-3, while the 49ers sit at 12-4, with the winner securing both the NFC West title and the conference’s No. 1 seed. San Francisco is monitoring the availability of tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, while Seattle safety Coby Bryant is listed as doubtful.

The final Sunday night game of the season will decide the AFC North. Pittsburgh hosts Baltimore with the division title and the AFC’s No. 4 seed on the line, while the loser is eliminated from postseason contention. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson returned as a full participant in practice and stated he expects to play. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also practiced fully, setting the stage for a winner-take-all finale.

The NFC South race will be shaped Saturday afternoon in Tampa. Carolina clinches the division and the NFC’s No. 4 seed with a win or tie, while the Buccaneers must defeat the Panthers and receive help from New Orleans to remain alive. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield practiced fully and carries no injury designation.

In the AFC, Denver hosts the Chargers with the Broncos positioned to secure the conference’s top seed with a win or additional help. Los Angeles has already clinched a playoff berth but will start Trey Lance with Justin Herbert sidelined.

Jacksonville closes its regular season against Tennessee with AFC South positioning at stake. A Jaguars win secures the division and prevents Houston from overtaking them in the standings.

Current NFL Playoff Seeding:

AFC:

1.    Denver Broncos (12-3) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 1^st AFC West)

2.    New England Patriots (12-3) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 1^st AFC East)

3.    Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 1^st AFC South)

5. Houston Texans

6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 2^nd AFC West)

7.    Buffalo Bills (11-4) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 2^nd AFC East)

AFC In The Hunt:

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) (1^st AFC North)

On the bubble:

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8) (2^nd AFC North)

NFC clinched:

1.    Seattle Seahawks (12-3) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 1^st NFC West)

2.    Chicago Bears (11-4) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 1^st NFC North)

3.    Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 1^st NFC East)

5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 2^nd NFC West)

6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) (Clinched Playoff Spot, 3^rd NFC West)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) (2^nd NFC North)

NFC In The Hunt:

4.    Carolina Panthers (8-7) (1^st NFC South)

On the bubble:

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) (2^nd NFC South)

The Week 18 slate will ultimately decide the final AFC North and NFC South playoff spots, concluding a regular season defined by tight margins and late-season volatility.