NFL Playoff Picture Week 18: Team-by-Team Guide

Scroll down if you want something more interesting. The Bills will be the No. 2 seed. They will play the lowest-seeded A.F.C. wild-card team.

Possible opponents as No. 2 seed: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals

With two straight wins, the Dolphins have stayed alive in the playoff hunt. If they win against the 4-12 Jets, they just need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs to get in.

It’s uncertain if Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will play this weekend. It’s also unclear how much the Kansas City starters will rest this weekend now that the Chiefs have locked up the top seed.

Opponent if No. 7 seed: Buffalo Bills

After Baltimore’s Christmas Day victory and Pittsburgh’s loss, the Ravens can win the division if they beat the visiting 3-13 Browns. They will also win the division if the Steelers lose to the Bengals.

If the Ravens win the division, they will be the No. 3 seed. If they don’t, they will be the No. 5 seed.

Possible opponents if No. 3 seed: Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Opponent if No. 5 seed: Houston Texans

The Steelers lost control of the A.F.C. North last week. To reclaim it (and the No. 3 seed), they need to win and hope for a Ravens loss against the 3-13 Browns. Far more likely, the Steelers will enter the playoffs as a wild card, as either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.

Opponent if No. 3 seed: Los Angeles Chargers

Opponent if No. 5 seed: Houston Texans

Opponent if No. 6 seed: Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals are last in line to get the No. 7 seed. Not only do they need to win (against the 10-6 Steelers), but they also need the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins to lose. In our simulations this happens about 15 percent of the time.

Opponent if No. 7 seed: Buffalo Bills

The Texans can rest key players this week as their final game against the Tennessee Titans will have no impact on playoff seeding. Houston will host a playoff game as the No. 4 seed against the top-ranked wild-card team.

Possible opponents as No. 4 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens

On Christmas Day, the Chiefs sealed the top seed and bye, giving them several weeks off between meaningful games.

On Sunday, they play the Denver Broncos, who are still in contention. If the Broncos win that game, Cincinnati and Miami will be knocked out of the playoffs.

As No. 1 seed: Bye

The Chargers made the playoffs with their win over the Patriots last weekend. They will most likely enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, though with a win and some luck they could move up to an easier first-round game at No. 5.

Opponent if No. 5 seed: Houston Texans

Possible opponents if No. 6 seed: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Broncos have failed two weeks in a row to clinch a playoff spot. They play the 15-1 Chiefs this weekend, who will probably be resting most key players. The Broncos can earn a No. 7 seed if they win, or they can hope that both Cincinnati and Miami lose.

Opponent if No. 7 seed: Buffalo Bills

With their win over Dallas last weekend, the Eagles will be the No. 2 seed in the N.F.C.

Possible opponents as No. 2 seed: Green Bay Packers, Washington Commanders

The Commanders clinched a playoff spot with their dramatic overtime victory against Atlanta last weekend. A win against Dallas would be a good way to secure a better matchup in their first playoff game.

Possible opponents if No. 6 seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams

Opponent if No. 7 seed: Philadelphia Eagles

The Lions-Vikings game on Sunday night will determine who wins the N.F.C. North and the top seed. The loser will drop to the No. 5 seed and be the first 13-win team since 1999 to have to settle for a wild card.

If No. 1 seed: Bye

Possible opponents if No. 5 seed: Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons

The Vikings will win the top seed if they beat the Lions, but will drop to No. 5 if they lose.

If No. 1 seed: Bye

Possible opponents if No. 5 seed: Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons

The 11-5 Green Bay Packers will be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed. They would lose the tiebreaker to the Commanders for seeding, so to capture the No. 6 seed they need to win while the Commanders lose.

Possible opponents if No. 6 seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams

Opponent if No. 7 seed: Philadelphia Eagles

Last weekend was a good one for Tampa Bay, with a win and a Falcons loss to the Commanders. Although the Bucs would lose a tiebreaker to Atlanta, they are up by one game in the N.F.C. South, so to win the division they just need to win their last game or see the Falcons lose again.

They can enter the playoffs as a No. 3 or No. 4 seed. If they don’t win the division, they have no path to a wild-card berth.

Possible opponents if No. 3 seed: Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers

Possible opponents if No. 4 seed: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions

The Falcons’ overtime loss to the Commanders last weekend may cost them a playoff spot. Although they play the 4-12 Panthers this weekend, the Buccaneers play the 5-11 Saints and can knock out Atlanta if they win.

In our simulations, the Falcons sneak in about 17 percent of the time.

Possible opponents if No. 4 seed: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions

The Rams started the season 1-4 but have clinched a playoff spot with a week to spare.

If they win this weekend, they will be the No. 3 seed. If they lose, they could still capture the No. 3 seed, but would most likely fall to No. 4.

Possible opponents if No. 3 seed: Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers

Possible opponents if No. 4 seed: Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions