Week 18 of the NFL season is often a hectic affair, filled with intrigue and drama as teams at the top and bottom of the NFL standings jostle for position in wintery conditions.

The 2025 season should offer sights. Although onlookers are privy to most of the postseason participants, the actual seeding of the seven teams from each conference is largely unknown.

The Broncos and Patriots are locked in a battle for the top seed in the AFC, while the Seahawks and 49ers will duel for division and conference glory in their primetime clash on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Panthers and Steelers find themselves facing serious challenges for their divisional title aspirations from the Buccaneers and Ravens, respectively.

All that amounts to plenty of carnage in the playoff standings. How will the bracket look come the end of the Week 18 slate? It’s anyone’s guess. Rest assured, there will be plenty of fireworks before things are finalized.

The Sporting News is tracking the playoff standings during Week 18. Follow below for updates as the playoff bracket is finalized across the final two days of the NFL season.

MORE WEEK 18 NFL:

NFL playoff standings Week 18

AFC playoff pictureSeedTeamRecordClinched?1Broncos13-3AFC West, playoff berth2Patriots13-3AFC East, playoff berth3Jaguars12-4Playoff berth4Steelers9-7 5Texans11-5Playoff berth6Chargers11-5Playoff berth7Bills11-5Playoff berth

Still in the hunt: Ravens (8-8)

NFC playoff pictureSeedTeamRecordClinched?1Seahawks14-3NFC West, No. 1 seed2Bears11-5NFC North, playoff berth3Eagles11-5NFC East, playoff berth4Buccaneers8-9 549ers12-5Playoff berth6Rams11-5Playoff berth7Packers9-6-1Playoff berth, No. 7 seed

Still in the hunt: Panthers (8-9)

NFL tiebreakers, explained

Here’s a look at the tiebreakers that determined which teams had the advantage over the other in the NFL playoff race entering Week 18.

AFC tiebreakersThe Broncos own the tiebreaker over the Patriots by virtue of record in common games.The Texans own the tiebreaker over the Bills by virtue of head-to-head record.The Texans own the tiebreaker over the Chargers by virtue of head-to-head record.The Chargers own the tiebreaker over the Bills by virtue of record in common games.NFC tiebreakersThe Bears own the tiebreaker over the Eagles by virtue of head-to-head record.The Rams own the tiebreaker over the 49ers by virtue of record in common games.

2026 NFL DRAFT:

NFL clinching scenarios Week 18AFCDenver Broncos (13-3)

Games remaining: vs. Chargers

The Broncos can clinch the AFC’s top seed with a win or tie against the Chargers and a Patriots loss or tie against the Dolphins OR by New England losing to Miami and Jacksonville losing or tying against Tennessee.

New England Patriots (13-3)

Games remaining: vs. Dolphins

The Patriots can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed with either a win against the Dolphins and a Broncos’ loss or draw to the Chargers OR a tie against the Dolphins and a Broncos loss to Los Angeles.

Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)

Games remaining: vs. Titans

The Jaguars will clinch the AFC South title with a win or tie OR a Texans loss or tie in Week 18. They’re technically in the hunt for the No. 1 seed, although they’d need to win their game and the Broncos and Patriots to lose their matchups to have a shot at the top spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

Games remaining: vs. Ravens

The Steelers can clinch the AFC North by beating (or tying with) the Ravens in Week 18.

Buffalo Bills (11-5)

The Bills will clinch the No. 5 seed if they beat the Dolphins and the Texans and Chargers lose or draw their games. Buffalo can clinch the No. 6 seed if they beat the Dolphins and one of Houston or Los Angeles draws or loses its Week 18 fixture.

Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

Games remaining: at Steelers

The Ravens will clinch the AFC North if they beat the Steelers in Week 18.

NFCSeattle Seahawks (14-3)

With its win over the 49ers on Saturday, the Seahawks clinched the NFC West and the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

Chicago Bears (11-5)

Games remaining: vs. Lions

The Bears will clinch the No. 2 seed with a win over the Lions.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

Games remaining: vs. Commanders

The Eagles will clinch the No. 2 seed with a win against the Commanders and a Bears loss or draw against the Lions in Week 18.

MORE: Full breakdown of the NFL’s 2026 Pro Bowl rosters

Carolina Panthers (8-9)

The Panthers’ loss to the Buccaneers in Week 18 leaves on the outside looking in of playoff contention. They can still clinch the division if the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday afternoon.

San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

The 49ers’ loss to the Seahawks ensured that they finish in second place in the NFC West. They’re currently sat in No. 5 in the NFC standings, although they’ll fall to No. 6 if the Rams beat the Cardinals on Sunday (via common games tiebreaker).

Los Angeles Rams (11-5)

Games remaining: vs. Cardinals

The Rams will clinch the No. 5 seed with a win over the Cardinals in Week 18.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)

With their win over the Panthers on Saturday, the Buccaneers will clinch the NFC South title if the Saints beat the Falcons in Week 18.

NFL elimination scenarios Week 18

Here’s what to know about the elimination scenarios for each team.

AFCRavens

The Ravens will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or draw against the Steelers in Week 18.

Steelers

The Steelers will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Ravens in Week 18.

NFCBuccaneers

The Buccaneers, who got a win over Carolina on Saturday, will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or draw against the Panthers in Week 18.

Panthers

The Panthers, who lost to Tampa Bay on Saturday, could be eliminated from playoff contention with a a Falcons loss against the Saints in Week 18.