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NFL Playoff Picture: Broncos Control AFC No. 1 as Week 18 Settles Remaining Seeds

Lineup decisions plus tiebreakers will set the AFC bye, with three division titles still unresolved.

Overview

  • The Broncos clinch the AFC’s top seed with a win over the Chargers, who will rest Justin Herbert, and they hold the common-opponent tiebreaker over the Patriots due to results versus the Raiders.
  • New England can take the No. 1 seed only with a victory over the Dolphins paired with a Denver loss, with a Pats tie also working if the Broncos lose.
  • Jacksonville secures the AFC South with a win or a Texans loss, while Houston can claim the division with a win over the Colts plus a Jaguars loss; the Jaguars retain a slim path to the AFC bye if both Denver and New England lose.
  • The AFC North title comes down to Steelers vs. Ravens, with the winner taking the division and the loser missing the postseason.
  • The Seahawks are locked as NFC No. 1, the Rams can jump the 49ers to No. 5 with a win, and the NFC South will go to the Buccaneers if the Saints beat the Falcons or to the Panthers if Atlanta wins to trigger a three-way tie.