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The final Sunday of the NFL<\/a> regular season is always an exciting one. Division titles are at stake and the final playoff spots are set to be clinched, as the changing of channels will be a must in order to watch the games of utmost importance.\u00a0
Week 18 is already set to be a memorable one in NFL history. Twenty teams remain in Super Bowl<\/a>\u00a0(televised by CBS and streamed via Paramount+<\/a>) contention entering the final week, tied for the most with one week remaining in a full season (2006). Five playoff berths are unclaimed, the most entering the final week since there were seven in 2020. Four division titles are undecided, the most entering a season finale since there were also four in 2014.\u00a0
Which Sunday games have playoff significance? We’ve got you covered:
Does this game matter?<\/strong> Yes (for the Buccaneers)
The Buccaneers need to win this game in order to clinch the NFC South. This is essentially a “win-and-in” for the Buccaneers, who miss the playoffs entirely with a loss. A Tampa Bay loss means the New Orleans and Atlanta winner wins the NFC South.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0No.
The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC and will be resting starters. The Bengals are eliminated from the playoffs.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes
The Vikings are still alive in the race for the final playoff spot, but barely. Minnesota needs a win over Detroit in Week 18 and plenty of help to get into the playoffs. The Vikings get in with a win, Seahawks<\/a> loss, Packers<\/a> loss and a loss by either the Saints<\/a> or Buccaneers. If the Packers, Buccaneers, Saints, or Seahawks win — the Vikings are eliminated.\u00a0
The No. 2 seed is still in play for the Lions, who are currently the No. 3 seed. The Lions can be the No. 2 seed with a win, Cowboys<\/a> loss, and Eagles<\/a> loss. They are the No. 3 seed with a loss or if the Cowboys or Eagles win.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0No.
Both the Jets and the Patriots are eliminated from the playoffs. The Patriots could get the No. 2 pick with a loss and Commanders<\/a> win.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes
The NFC South is at stake for both teams with the Buccaneers playing simultaneously. If the Buccaneers lose, the winner of the Saints and Falcons game will clinch the NFC South. The Falcons are eliminated from the playoffs with a Buccaneers win.\u00a0
The Saints can clinch a playoff spot with a win, Buccaneers win, Packers loss, and Seahawks loss. They are eliminated from the playoffs with a loss or a Buccaneers win and Packers win or a Buccaneers win and Seahawks win.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes (for the Jaguars)
The Jaguars win the AFC South with the victory, no matter who wins the Colts<\/a> and Texans<\/a> game on Saturday. The Jaguars miss the playoffs with a loss.\u00a0
The Steelers also need the Jaguars to lose in order to make the playoffs (or the Bills).\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes (for the Seahawks)
The Seahawks need a win and some help in order to get into the playoffs, but the formula is pretty simple. They need a win and Packers loss to make the playoffs. Seattle is eliminated with a loss or Green Bay win.\u00a0
The Packers, Vikings, and Saints will also be monitoring this game (if the Packers lose).\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes (for the Packers)
The Packers need a victory over the Bears to wrap up a playoff berth, the final one in the NFC. They can still make the playoffs with a loss, but need a Seahawks loss, Vikings loss, and a loss by either the Saints or Buccaneers.\u00a0
The Seahawks, Vikings, and Saints will be monitoring this game.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0No.
The Chiefs have locked in the No. 3 seed in the AFC, so Patrick Mahomes<\/a> and other starters will be resting with the wild card round next week. The Chargers are eliminated from the playoffs.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0No.
Both the Broncos and Raiders are eliminated from the playoffs. The game did have some meaning for the Steelers<\/a> if they lost on Saturday, but the Steelers won so they don’t need a Broncos win.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes (for the Eagles)
The Eagles are currently the No. 5 seed in the NFC, but can clinch the NFC East with a win and Cowboys loss. In that scenario, the Eagles get the No. 2 seed. The Eagles will be the No. 5 seed with a Cowboys win or a loss.\u00a0
The Lions also need the Eagles (and Cowboys) to lose to get the No. 2 seed.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0No.
Both San Francisco and Los Angeles will be starting backup quarterbacks. The 49ers have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the Rams have clinched a wild card berth and cannot win their division or move up in wild card priority given the second-place NFC East finisher will be ranked ahead of them.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes (for the Cowboys)
The Cowboys clinch the NFC East with a win. If the Cowboys lose and Eagles win, Dallas will be the No. 5 seed. Dallas can also win the NFC East with a loss and a Philadelphia loss.\u00a0
The Lions also need the Cowboys (and Eagles) to lose to get the No. 2 seed.\u00a0
Does this game matter?<\/strong>\u00a0Yes\u00a0
The winner of this game wins the AFC East. A Bills victory gives them the No. 2 seed in the AFC, but there are other scenarios at play if the Bills do lose. Buffalo clinches a playoff spot with a Jacksonville loss thanks to Pittsburgh beating Baltimore.\u00a0
The Dolphins have a playoff berth clinched, but will clinch the AFC East — and the No. 2 seed — with a win. Miami clinches the No. 6 seed with a loss.\u00a0
The Steelers also need the Bills to lose in order to make the playoffs (if the Jaguars win).\u00a0
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