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The most critical factor for fantasy football in Week 18 is determining which teams have the most to gain or lose. Some teams are in a must-win situation, playing for their postseason fates, while others have already been eliminated from the playoffs or locked into their seed.
In this article, we’re going game by game to parse out what each team is playing for and how the results may impact the standings. Keep in mind that things may change once we receive further updates on how the NFL plans to handle the suspended Week 17 matchup between the Bengals and the Bills.
Week 18 NFL Playoff Scenarios: Saturday Games
Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas is OUT.
Kansas City is playing for the No. 1 seed and has a slight lead on Buffalo due to the suspension of the Buffalo/Cincinnati game Monday.
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee has lost six in a row but can make the playoffs and win the AFC South with a win.
Jacksonville can make with a win can make the playoffs and win the AFC South with a win. They can lose and make the playoffs if Pittsburgh, New England and Miami also lose.
Week 18 NFL Playoff Scenarios: Sunday Early Slate
Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati needs to win to remain in contention for the No. 1 seed and win the AFC North.
Baltimore could still win the AFC North with a win, if the CIN/BUF game is played and Cincinnati loses.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons
Tampa has cliched the AFC South and locked into the fourth seed regardless of the outcome. The starters will reportedly play, but for how long is up in the air.
Atlanta is OUT.
New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo situation is to be determined, but the Bills but must win to stay in contention for the No. 1 seed.
New England can make the playoffs with a win or losses from Miami, Pittsburgh and Tennessee.
Minnesota Vikings @ Chicago Bears
Minnesota is the NFC 3 seed but can move to 2 with a win and a San Francisco loss. They may rest after they or the 49ers get a comfortable lead.
Chicago is OUT but can clinch the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with a loss and a Houston win.
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts
Houston can clinch the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft with a loss.
Indianapolis is OUT.
New York Jets @ Miami Dolphins
Miami has lost five in a row but can make the playoffs with a win and a New England loss.
The Jets are OUT.
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints
Both teams are OUT.
Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh can make the playoffs with a win and losses from New England and Miami.
Cleveland is OUT.
Week 18 NFL Playoff Scenarios: Sunday Late Slate
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos
The Chargers can clinch the 5 seed with a win and a Baltimore loss. They will fall to the 6 seed with a loss and a Baltimore win. If Baltimore loses, the Chargers will likely rest starters.
Denver is OUT.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia can clinch the NFC East with a win or Cowboys loss. They lock up the No. 1 seed with a win or losses by Dallas and San Francisco.
The Giants are locked into the 6 seed and cannot move. Starters will likely be limited if active.
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is still in contention for the No. 1 seed with a win and a PHI loss. They still need to win to hold onto the No. 2 seed from Dallas or Minnesota.
Arizona is OUT.
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Seattle can get into the playoffs with a win and a Green Bay loss.
The Rams are OUT.
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders
Dallas needs to win and a Philadelphia loss to win the NFC East. They could also get the No. 1 seed with a win and losses from Philadelphia and San Francisco.
Washington is OUT.
Week 18 NFL Playoff Scenarios: Sunday Night Showdown Slate
Detroit Lions @ Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is in with a win, out with a loss.
Detroit is in with a win and a loss by Seattle.
