With Week 17 all but in the books, the playoff scenarios are narrowing and plenty of teams are already playing for nothing more than pride. Here is the motivation for every NFL team and what they need to make the playoffs or get a better seed heading into Week 18.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
The Panthers have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Falcons can win the NFC South with a win and a Tampa Bay loss.
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys
The Commanders have clinched a playoff berth. A win or a Green Bay loss gives them the No. 6 seed instead of the No. 7.
The Cowboys have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
The Chiefs have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Andy Reid announced Carson Wentz as the starter for Week 18. Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Travis Kelce are all listed as doubtful or out. While none of the receivers received designations, I doubt we see much or any of Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins, or Hollywood Brown.
The Broncos make the playoffs with a win. They can also make it with a loss and losses from the Bengals and Dolphins.
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
The winner of this game gets the No. 1 seed. The loser gets the No. 5 seed.
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
The Bears have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Packers are stuck with either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed. A win and a Washington loss moves them up one spot. Matt LaFleur said he will play his starters. I expect short leashes in the event of a blowout but an otherwise normal game plan for Green Bay.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
The Texans have clinched the No. 4 seed. They can’t move any higher or lower. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was non-committal when asked how long his starters would play. It does sound like they will get a drive or two. Neither the starters nor the backups can be played in any fantasy format if both will see time.
The Titans have been eliminated from playoff contention. In turn, they have embraced the chaos and will use a quarterback rotation.
#Titans coach Brian Callahan tells reporters that both QBs Will Levis and Mason Rudolph will play on Sunday. A final look for Tennessee, which currently holds the No. 2 pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 30, 2024
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
The Jaguars and Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders
The Chargers have clinched a Wild Card bid. They could move up to the No. 5 seed with a win and a Pittsburgh loss. That would pit them against the Texans as opposed to the Ravens. I expect we’ll see their starters for this reason.
The Raiders have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams
The Seahawks have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Rams have clinched the NFC East crown. A loss and a Tampa Bay win would move LA from the No. 3 to the No. 4 seed. The latter seed faces the loser of Detroit vs. Minnesota. Sean McVay has announced Jimmy Garoppolo as the starting quarterback. Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Cooper Kupp have been ruled out as well. McVay mentioned Blake Corum as a player who could get more work this week.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
The Bills are guaranteed the No. 2 seed and cannot move any higher. Josh Allen has started 114 consecutive games and Sean McDermott said he will keep the streak alive this week.
"Josh Allen will be out there for a very, very short-lived amount of time on Sunday."
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 31, 2024
Coach McDermott gives an update heading into Week 18: https://t.co/s8P6I4Q0dN pic.twitter.com/wFbs99Ii6v
Still, Allen has a ceiling of one drive and a floor of one snap. We could see a few other starters out there with him but I don’t expect to see any of them on the field by the second quarter.
The Patriots have been eliminated from playoff contention. There was initially some speculation that Drake Maye could sit this game as the Pats eye the No. 1 overall pick. The team has since confirmed him as the starter, so no funny business here.
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
The Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Denver loss.
The Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
The Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Eagles have clinched the No. 2 seed and can’t move any higher or lower. Head coach Nick Sirriani announced that Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts will not play. DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown were listed as doubtful and will not play. Kenny Pickett did not practice this week but was listed as questionable. I fully expect to see Tanner McKee on Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. Brock Purdy has been ruled out meaning Josh Dobbs will draw the start.
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bengals need a win and losses from the Broncos and Dolphins to make the playoffs.
The Steelers have clinched a playoff berth. They can win the AFC North crown and it’s No. 3 seed with a win and a Baltimore loss. Even with a Baltimore win, Pittsburgh can hold off the Chargers for the No. 5 seed with a victory. I expect to see their starters in Week 18.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Saints have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Bucs can clinch a playoff berth with a win or an Atlanta loss.
