The race to the playoffs comes all the way down to this.
The NFL is coming into the ultimate week of the common season and 9 groups have already clinched their spot within the postseason. With only one recreation left on the schedule and 5 spots remaining, followers can anticipate to see a few of the most enjoyable soccer of the yr.
Houston Texans working again Dameon Pierce (31) celebrates a kickoff return for a landing towards the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium in Houston on Dec. 24, 2023. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures)
Among the many situations heading into the weekend, the Buffalo Payments have one of many extra attention-grabbing breakdowns.
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A win towards the Miami Dolphins would assure the Payments the division title and the No. 2 seed within the playoffs. And not using a win, Buffalo might additionally advance with a loss or tie by the Pittsburgh Steelers, a loss or tie by the Jacksonville Jaguars, or a tie between the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.
Curiously, there’s a state of affairs (a sophisticated one) that might see Buffalo go in the wrong way.
If Pittsburgh had been to tug off a victory over the top-seed Baltimore Ravens, and the Jaguars defeated the Titans, and the Texans-Colts recreation resulted in something however a tie, and the Payments fell quick on Sunday, Buffalo’s season would come to an finish.
Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring towards the Dallas Cowboys through the second quarter, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photograph/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
All 4 issues would wish to occur for this end result, however nothing is assured.
LIONS’ DAN CAMPBELL ADMITS TRYING TO CONFUSE COWBOYS DEFENSE BEFORE CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY
The Payments have had an up-and-down season. Getting into the bye week, the Payments held a 6-6 file and their hopes of reaching the playoffs had been in query. However after returning to the sector, Buffalo pulled forward, profitable 4 straight.
“I actually assume it’s nearly our gamers persevering with to develop each week,” head coach Sean McDermott instructed reporters Monday after a win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.
“Our coaches have achieved an outstanding job of engaged on issues with them, growing gamers on the particular person stage after which on the unit stage as nicely. I actually imagine that the gamers have taken on that problem head-on, they usually’ve come collectively and shaped an identification as a soccer crew. I’ve simply been very impressed by that over the previous couple of weeks particularly.”
A number of different groups face related conditions with only one recreation left. Learn under to see which groups are sitting comfortably, which can be ready on the ultimate whistle, and which groups must watch the playoffs from dwelling, per the NFL.
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MOVING ON
AFC
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens high-fives a fan at halftime of the sport towards the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, California, on Dec. 25, 2023. (Loren Elliott/Getty Pictures)
1. Baltimore Ravens
Report: 13-3, AFC North division title
2. Miami Dolphins
Report: 11-5, 1st in AFC East
3. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Report: 10-6, AFC West division title
4. Cleveland Browns
Report: 11-5, 2nd in AFC North
NFC
Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a dashing landing through the second quarter towards the Arizona Cardinals, Dec. 17, 2023, in Glendale, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Pictures)
1. San Francisco 49ers
Report: 12-4, NFC West division title
2. Dallas Cowboys
Report: 11-5, 1st in NFC East
3. Detroit Lions
Report: 11-5, NFC North division title
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Report: 11-5, 2nd in NFC East
5. Los Angeles Rams
Report: 9-7, 2nd in NFC West
IN THE HUNT
AFC
Case Keenum (18) of the Houston Texans palms the ball off to Devin Singletary through the second half, Dec. 17, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Pictures)
Houston Texans clinch AFC South division title with:
1. HOU win + JAX loss or tie
Houston clinches playoff berth with:
1. HOU win OR
2. HOU tie + JAX loss + PIT loss or tie
–
Indianapolis Colts clinch AFC South division title with:
1. IND win + JAX loss or tie OR
2. IND tie + JAX loss
Indianapolis clinches playoff berth with:
1. IND win OR
2. IND tie + PIT loss or tie
–
Jacksonville Jaguars clinch AFC South division title with:
1. JAX win OR
2. JAX tie + HOU-IND tie
Jacksonville clinches playoff berth with:
1. JAX tie + PIT loss or tie OR
2. PIT loss + DEN loss or tie + HOU-IND doesn’t finish in tie
–
Pittsburgh Steelers clinch playoff berth with:
1. PIT win + BUF loss OR
2. PIT win + JAX loss or tie OR
3. PIT win + HOU-IND tie OR
4. PIT tie + JAX loss + HOU-IND doesn’t finish in tie OR
5. JAX loss + DEN win + HOU-IND doesn’t finish in tie
NFC
Taylor Heinicke (4) of the Atlanta Falcons palms the ball off to Tyler Allgeier through the second quarter towards the Indianapolis Colts, Dec. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Pictures)
Atlanta Falcons clinch NFC South division title with:
1. ATL win + TB loss
–
Inexperienced Bay Packers clinch playoff berth with:
1. GB win OR
2. GB tie + SEA loss or tie + NO loss or tie OR
3. GB tie + SEA loss + TB loss OR
4. GB tie + SEA tie + TB loss or tie OR
5. MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss OR
6. MIN loss or tie + SEA loss + NO loss
–
Minnesota Vikings clinch playoff berth with:
1. MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + TB loss OR
2. MIN win + GB loss + SEA loss + NO loss
–
New Orleans Saints clinch NFC South division title with:
1. NO win + TB loss or tie OR
2. NO tie + TB loss
New Orleans clinches playoff berth with:
1. NO win + SEA loss or tie + GB loss or tie OR
2. NO tie + SEA loss + GB loss
–
Seattle Seahawks clinch playoff berth with:
1. SEA win + GB loss or tie OR
2. SEA tie + GB loss + TB loss or tie OR
3. SEA tie + GB loss + NO loss or tie
–
Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinch NFC South division title with:
1. TB win OR
2. TB tie + NO loss or tie
Tampa Bay clinches playoff berth with:
1. TB tie + SEA loss + GB loss or tie
Week 18 kicks off with the Ravens internet hosting the Steelers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET and closes out with the Payments in Miami on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET.
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