On the last day of the regular season, the playoffs are nearly finalized, with 12 teams earning spots and the Seahawks securing the top seed in the NFC. However, several playoff positions are still undecided. Below is a breakdown of the teams vying for each playoff seed and the conditions under which they can secure those positions.
NFC
1. Seahawks. The Seahawks have claimed the No. 1 seed, securing a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with their victory over the 49ers on Saturday night.
2. Bears or Eagles. The Bears will take the No. 2 seed if they win or if the Eagles lose. Conversely, if the Bears lose and the Eagles win, the Eagles will earn the No. 2 seed.
3. Eagles or Bears. The team that does not secure the No. 2 seed will automatically be placed as the No. 3 seed. The Eagles are resting their starters and essentially conceding the No. 2 seed to the Bears while preparing for the No. 3 seed.
4. Panthers or Buccaneers. The Panthers will be the No. 4 seed if the Falcons win today. If the Falcons lose or tie, the Buccaneers will take the No. 4 spot.
AFC
1. Broncos, Patriots, or Jaguars. The Broncos will secure the No. 1 seed if they win or if both the Patriots and Jaguars lose. If the Patriots win and the Broncos lose, the Patriots become the top seed. Additionally, if the Jaguars win while the other two lose, the Jaguars clinch the No. 1 seed.
2. Patriots, Broncos, or Jaguars. The Patriots will earn the No. 2 seed if both they and the Broncos win. If both lose, the Broncos can still be the No. 2 seed or if the Jaguars win while the others lose, the Jaguars take that slot.
3. Jaguars, Broncos, Patriots, or Texans. If the Jaguars tie or both the Broncos and Patriots win, the Jaguars will be the No. 3 seed. If both the Jaguars and Texans lose, the Jaguars again clinch the No. 3 spot.
4. Steelers or Ravens. If the Steelers tie or beat the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, they’ll be the No. 4 seed. Conversely, a Ravens win secures them the No. 4 seed.
5. Texans, Jaguars, Chargers, or Bills. The Texans will be the No. 5 seed if both they and the Jaguars win. They can also clinch if they, along with the Chargers and Bills, all lose.
6. Chargers, Jaguars, Texans, or Bills. If all three of the Chargers, Texans, and Jaguars win, the Chargers become the No. 6 seed. If the Chargers and Bills both lose, the Chargers will also be the No. 6 seed.
7. Bills, Jaguars, Texans, or Chargers. If the Bills lose, they claim the No. 7 seed. Alternatively, if the Chargers, Texans, and Jaguars win, the Bills retain the No. 7 seed regardless of their performance.
