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NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: Who can claim top seeds?

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The NFL regular season all comes down to this.

The final postseason berths and seeding for the playoffs will be determined by the results of games on Saturday and Sunday, with two spots and four division titles still up for grabs. Also at stake: the top seeds in each conference, which come with an all-important first-round bye.

Perhaps the most interesting situation is in the NFC South, where the Atlanta Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention, but could knock out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a win over the New Orleans Saints.

Here’s each team’s best-case scenario for Week 18:

Denver Broncos Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

  • Broncos win
  • Broncos tie + Patriots loss or tie
  • Patriots loss + Jaguars loss or tie

New England Patriots Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Patriots clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with

  • Patriots win + Broncos loss or tie
  • Patriots tie + Broncos loss

Jacksonville Jaguars Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Jaguars clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:

  • Jaguars win + Broncos loss + Patriots loss

Jaguars clinch AFC South with:

  • Jaguars win or tie
  • Texans loss

Houston Texans Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Texans clinch AFC South with:

  • Texans win + Jaguars loss

Baltimore Ravens Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

  • Ravens win

Pittsburgh Steelers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Steelers clinch AFC North with:

  • Steelers win or tie

San Francisco 49ers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

49ers clinch NFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:

  • 49ers win

Seattle Seahawks Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

  • Seahawks win or tie

Carolina Panthers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

  • Panthers win or tie
  • Falcons win

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

  • Buccaneers win + Falcons loss or tie
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