NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: Who can seal top seeds, last berths?

[ASFN Admin]

The NFL's long-fluid playoff picture is only a few days away from firming up.

Entering Week 18, 12 of 14 berths have been accounted for, along with four division titles. But the top seeds and several other aspects of the field have yet to be determined, with everything coming down to the final week to establish the exact setup in each conference.

With only so many possibilities left on the table, the remaining clinching scenarios aren't as elaborate as the ones of weeks past. But not every setup is as simple as facing a win-and-in bottom line, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoping not to have their hopes for the NFC South crown torpedoed by the Atlanta Falcons.

Here's everything at stake in Week 18:

Denver Broncos Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios​

Broncos clinch AFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:

• 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 clinch AFC North with:

• 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 clinch NFC's No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:

• Seahawks win or tie

Carolina Panthers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios​

Panthers clinch NFC South with:

• Panthers win or tie
• Falcons win

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios​

Buccaneers clinch NFC South with:

• Buccaneers win + Falcons loss or tie

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios: Top seeds up for grabs

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