The NFL playoff picture is missing just one spot, which will be set tonight when Ravens vs. Steelers decides the AFC North.
In the early slate on Sunday in Week 18, the Jaguars dominated the Titans to seal the AFC South title. Meanwhile, the Falcons’ win over the Saints gave the Panthers the NFC South crown over the Buccaneers. Final seeding for both conferences will be determined during the 4:25 p.m. ET slate of games before the final spot is filled in the AFC tonight.
Here’s where things stand entering the late-afternoon slate on Sunday:
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NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
- Denver Broncos (13-3)**
- New England Patriots (13-3)**
- Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)**
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
- Houston Texans (12-5)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)*
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
* Clinched playoffs
** Clinched division
The Jaguars clinched the AFC South with a dominant win over the Titans at home on Sunday. They’re still in the race for the No. 1 seed but need both the Broncos and Patriots to lose in order for that to happen.
Denver is at home against the Chargers, who are starting Trey Lance at quarterback in place of Justin Herbert, who’s being rested. A Broncos win clinches the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Patriots, meanwhile, are at home against the Dolphins and would get the top seed if they win and the Broncos lose.
Ravens vs. Steelers will determine the AFC North winner on Sunday night. The loser is eliminated, while Pittsburgh would advance in the case of a tie. Ravens star QB Lamar Jackson said on Thursday that he’s “100 percent” going to play.
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NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (14-3)**
- Chicago Bears (11-5)**
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)**
- Carolina Panthers (8-9)**
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)*
* Clinched playoffs
** Clinched division
The Falcons’ win over the Saints has made the Panthers champions of the NFC South. Atlanta’s win created a three-way tie atop the division at 8-9, and Carolina’s 3-1 record against the Buccaneers and Falcons gives the Panthers the edge in the tiebreaker.
Carolina will host either the Rams or 49ers next weekend in the Wild Card Round. It will be the Rams if they beat the Cardinals at home on Sunday afternoon.
If Los Angeles wins, that means the 49ers will be the No. 6 seed and face a trip to play either the Bears or Eagles next weekend. If either the Bears beat the Lions or the Eagles lose to the Commanders, Chicago will remain the No. 2 seed and host the Packers next weekend.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts and most other key Eagles starters will not play against Washington on Sunday.
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NFL Playoff Bracket
This is updated heading into the late Sunday slate.
AFC
- (1) Broncos receive a bye
- (2) Patriots vs. (7) Bills
- (3) Jaguars vs. (6) Chargers
- (4) Steelers vs. (5) Texans
NFC
- (1) Seahawks receive a bye
- (2) Bears vs. (7) Packers
- (3) Eagles vs. (6) Rams
- (4) Panthers vs. (5) 49ers
NFL Playoff Schedule
- January 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
- January 17-18: Divisional round
- January 25: AFC and NFC championship games
- February 8: Super Bowl LX (in Santa Clara, California)
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