The final week of the 2024 NFL regular season is underway.
The Week 18 action kicked off Saturday with the Baltimore Ravens clinching their second straight AFC North title thanks to a 35-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers then won their division on the final day of the regular season, beating the New Orleans Saints 27-19 Sunday for a fourth straight NFC South title. The South division title was the last remaining playoff berth in the NFC and it came down to the Bucs and Atlanta Falcons.
One more division champion is still to be crowned. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will battle for the NFC North title, along with the conference’s No. 1 seed, on Sunday Night Football.
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There’s just one playoff spot remaining, and it's in the AFC. The third and final wild-card berth will go to either the Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals or Miami Dolphins. Cincinnati kept its postseason hopes alive with a fifth straight win to end the regular season, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 19-17.
Week 18 began with just four teams locked into a playoff seed and that number is now up to seven. From the updated bracket to how the postseason works and more, here’s everything to know about the NFL playoffs:
How many teams are in the NFL playoffs?
The 14-team playoff field is nearly set, with just an AFC wild-card berth remaining:
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West champions, clinched No. 1 seed)
- Buffalo Bills (AFC East champions)
- Baltimore Ravens (AFC North champions)
- Houston Texans (AFC South champions)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (clinched wild card)
- Los Angeles Chargers (clinched wild card)
NFC
- Detroit Lions
- Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East champions)
- Los Angeles Rams (NFC West champions)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South champions)
- Minnesota Vikings
- Washington Commanders (clinched wild card)
- Green Bay Packers (clinched wild card)
How do the NFL playoffs work?
The NFL playoff bracket is set by teams in each conference being seeded No. 1 through No. 7. The four division winners in each conference are ranked No. 1 to No. 4 by regular-season record followed by the three wild-card teams ranked by regular-season record.
The matchups in the opening round of the playoffs are No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5. The team with the higher seed holds home-field advantage.
Who gets a bye in the NFL playoffs?
Only the top seed in each conference gets a bye to the Divisional Round. The two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs clinched the AFC bye, while the NFC bye will go to the North division champion -- either the Lions or Vikings.
What's the AFC playoff bracket?
The top four seeds in the AFC bracket are set with the Chiefs leading the way, followed by the Bills, Ravens and Texans.
The Steelers and Chargers will finish fifth and sixth in some order, leaving Baltimore and Houston as their potential first-round opponents. The Bills will face the team who claims the last remaining AFC wild-card berth.
Here's what the final AFC bracket could look like:
- Chiefs
- Bills
- Ravens
- Texans
- (Steelers or Chargers)
- (Steelers or Chargers)
- (Broncos, Dolphins or Bengals)
What's the NFC playoff bracket?
The No. 2 Eagles are the lone NFC team with a set top-four seed, and Philadelphia will face No. 7 Green Bay in the opening round. The Commanders will be the No. 6 seed and visit either the Rams or Bucs.
Here's a look at the NFC bracket possibilities:
- (Lions or Vikings)
- Eagles
- (Rams or Buccaneers)
- (Rams or Buccaneers)
- (Lions or Vikings)
- Commanders
- Packers
You can check out a full breakdown of clinching and seeding scenarios for Week 18 here.
When do the NFL playoffs start?
The NFL postseason opens with Super Wild Card Weekend from Saturday, Jan. 11, to Monday, Jan. 13. There will be two Saturday games, three Sunday games and one Monday game.
Full schedule details have yet to be released.
Does the NFL reseed in the playoffs?
Yes, the NFL reseeds in the playoffs. That means that the Chiefs will face the lowest-seeded AFC team left following the opening round.
What's the NFL playoff schedule?
The Divisional Round is set for Saturday, Jan 18, to Sunday, Jan. 19, followed by the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, Jan. 26.
When is the Super Bowl 2025?
The AFC and NFC champions will square off in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Where is the Super Bowl 2025?
Caesars Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints, in the Big Easy will host the Big Game.
