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. Expect several other key players to rest as well.
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.
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 already said he thinks the Rams will rest their starters. A lean toward resting this early in the week all but guarantees that’s what McVay will do on Sunday. It sounds like we’ll be seeing plenty of backup Blake Corum.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
The Bills are guaranteed the No. 2 seed and cannot move any higher. I expect to see their backups in Week 18.
The Patriots have been eliminated from playoff contention and it sounds like they could give at least one starter the day off as they chase the No. 1 overall pick.
Jerod Mayo does not commit to playing Drake Maye in Week 18: ‘Everything is on the table’ https://t.co/C63glVFUfw #NEPats pic.twitter.com/NnbzaqYgGb
— WEEI (@WEEI) December 30, 2024
Maye later told reporters he expects to play, but this situation seems fraught with risk.
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. I don’t expect to see DeVonta Smith or A.J. Brown either.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
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.
