2023-24 NFL Week 18 playoff scenarios and bracket: Packers, Bills, Steelers clinch berths

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 07: Anthony Johnson Jr. #36 and Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a play during the second half in the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
By Larry Holder
Jan 7, 2024

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday setting off some AFC playoff dominoes. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills clinched playoff spots with the Jags’ loss. This also gave the Houston Texans the AFC South title.

And later, the Bills gained the AFC East title by beating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night.

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Plus, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers punched their ticket to the postseason capturing the NFC South crown with a sluggish win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. And the Green Bay Packers grabbed the last remaining NFC wild card berth by beating the Chicago Bears.

Below is a glimpse at all the scenarios for every team with playoff life remaining.

Follow here for live updates from NFL Week 18 and here for live updates on Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins.

AFC

Clinched

  • Baltimore Ravens (13-4) — AFC North division title, No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage
  • Buffalo Bills (11-6) — AFC East division title
  • Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) — AFC West division title
  • Houston Texans (10-7) — AFC South division title
  • Cleveland Browns (11-6) — playoff berth
  • Miami Dolphins (11-6) — playoff berth
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) — playoff berth

Bracket seedings

  1. Ravens
  2. Bills
  3. Chiefs
  4. Texans
  5. Browns
  6. Dolphins
  7. Steelers
go-deeper

GO DEEPER

NFL QB EPA rankings: Lamar Jackson's atypical route to a probable NFL MVP award

NFC

Clinched

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Bears couldn't stop Jordan Love and didn't have the quarterback who could outplay him

Bracket seedings

  1. 49ers
  2. Cowboys
  3. Lions
  4. Buccaneers
  5. Eagles
  6. Rams
  7. Packers
go-deeper

GO DEEPER

NFL Week 18 schedule: Bills-Dolphins clash on SNF

Required reading

(Photo: John Fisher / Getty Images)

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Larry Holder

Larry Holder is a Senior Writer for The Athletic, focusing on the NFL. He was a Saints beat writer from 2006 to 2013, then became a Saints/NFL columnist starting in 2013. Before joining The Athletic in 2018, he worked for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, CBSSports.com and the Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald. Follow Larry on Twitter @LarryHolder