NFL playoff picture and draft order entering Sunday's Week 18: Lions, Vikings battle for NFC's top seed
Meanwhile No. 1 draft pick comes down to Browns, Patriots or Titans
The final week of the NFL regular season is here, and there are only a few things left to be decided in the playoff picture.
What's left in NFC field?
The NFC North title is up for grabs and down to the Lions and Vikings.
The winner of their Sunday night matchup will take the division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The loser will be the conference's No. 5 seed.
The rest of the conference is just about solidified. The Commanders are back in the playoffs for the first time since winning the division in 2020 after beating the Falcons. The Buccaneers are leading the NFC South after their blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, but that division is not yet locked up.
Here's a look at where things stand playoff-wise as we enter Week 18's full slate.
NFC playoff picture
As of Jan. 4 here’s what the playoff race looks like in the NFC. Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot.
1. Detroit Lions (14-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) vs. 7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6) vs. 6. Washington Commanders (11-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) vs. 5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
On the bubble
8. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
AFC playoff picture
As of Jan. 4, here’s what the playoff race looks like in the AFC. Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3) vs. 7. Denver Broncos (9-7)
3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) vs. 6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
4. Houston Texans (9-7) vs. 5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
On the bubble
8. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
9. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Full NFC standings
As of Jan. 4 here’s where things stand in the NFC. Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot. Italicized teams have been eliminated from the playoffs.
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
2. Washington Commanders (11-5)
3. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
4. New York Giants (3-13)
NFC North
1. Detroit Lions (14-2)
2. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
3. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
4. Chicago Bears (4-12)
NFC South
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
2. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
3. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
4. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
NFC West
1. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
2. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
3. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
4. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
Full AFC standings
As of Jan. 4 here’s where things stand in the AFC. Bolded teams have clinched a playoff spot. Italicized teams have been eliminated from the playoffs.
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
2. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
3. New York Jets (4-12)
4. New England Patriots (3-13)
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
AFC South
1. Houston Texans (9-7)
2. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
3. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)
AFC West
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)
2. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
3. Denver Broncos (9-7)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
NFL Draft order
The Cleveland Browns temporarily sit in the top spot after losing on Saturday. That can change with Sunday's results.
The New England Patriots are in the best position to claim the No. 1 overall pick in April's draft this weekend. They simply need to lose to the Bills.
The Titans also have a shot at the No. 1 pick. If they lose and the Patriots defeat the Bills, then Tennessee gets the first selection in April.
Here's a look at the current NFL Draft order:
*already played in Week 18
1. Cleveland Browns (3-14)*
2. New England Patriots (3-13)
3. Tennessee Titans (3-13)
4. New York Giants (3-13)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
6. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
7. New York Jets (4-12)
8. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
9. Chicago Bears (4-12)
10. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
12. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
13. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
14. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
15. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
16. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
17. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)*
18. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
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19. Houston Texans (9-7)
20. Denver Broncos (9-7)
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)*
23. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
24. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
25. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
26. Washington Commanders (11-5)
27. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)*
28. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
29. Buffalo Bills (13-3)
30. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
31. Detroit Lions (14-2)
32. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)