NFL Week 18 Preview: Which Matchups Have the Biggest Playoff Implications?

It’s hard to believe that the 2024 NFL regular season is nearly over, but the reality is that the playoffs are just one week away. Having said that, we still have to get through the NFL Week 18 schedule and it’s safe to say that the upcoming slate is ripe with big-time playoff implications.

So, who will clinch their postseason ticket in the coming days? Will we see a surprise playoff qualifier at the last second?

Let’s dive into the NFL Week 18 schedule to see which matchups could impact the postseason picture the most.

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NFL Postseason Standings Before Week 18

Here’s a look at how the AFC and NFC playoff brackets would look like if the postseason began today, as well as who’s already clinched their berth/division title:

AFC Standings Before Week 18

1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) — Clinched AFC West and No. 1 seed
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3) — Clinched AFC East and No. 2 seed
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) — Clinched playoff berth
4. Houston Texans (9-7) — Clinched AFC South and No. 4 seed
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) — Clinched playoff berth
6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) — Clinched playoff berth
7. Denver Broncos (9-7)
8. Miami Dolphins (8-8)
9. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)

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NFC Standings Before Week 18

1. Detroit Lions (14-2) — Clinched playoff berth
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) — Clinched NFC East and No. 2 seed
3. LA Rams (10-6) — Clinched NFC West
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2) — Clinched playoff berth
6. Washington Commanders (11-5) — Clinched playoff berth
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5) — Clinched playoff berth
8. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

Which NFL Week 18 Games Have the Biggest Playoff Implications?

Even though the NFL has a loaded Week 18 schedule planned for the coming days, some games are relatively meaningless. Fortunately, I’ve gathered the matchups that have the biggest NFL playoff implications, whether the parties involved win, lose, or tie.

All NFL Week 18 odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Odds from other sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

AFC: Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens — Jan. 4 @ 4 p.m. ET

Spread: Browns +17.5 (-110) | Ravens -17.5 (-110)

Total: Over 42 Points (-103) | Under 42 Points (-117)

Moneyline: Browns (+1150) | Ravens (-2300)

• The Ravens can clinch the AFC North & No. 3 seed with a victory/tie or a Steelers loss/tie.

AFC: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jan. 4 @ 8 p.m. ET

Spread: Bengals -1.5 (-113) | Steelers +1.5 (-107)

Total: Over 48.5 Points (-110) | Under 48.5 Points (-110)

Moneyline: Bengals (-127) | Steelers (+107)

• The Steelers can clinch the AFC North & No. 3 seed with a victory + a Ravens loss.
• The Bengals can clinch the No. 7 seed with a victory combined with a Broncos loss + Dolphins loss/tie.

NFC: Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons — Jan. 5 @ 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Panthers +9 (-115) | Falcons -9 (-105)

Total: Over 47.5 Points (-110) | Under 47.5 Points (-110)

Moneyline:  Panthers (+345) | Falcons (-425)

• The Falcons can clinch the NFC South with a victory + a Buccaneers loss.

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NFC: New Orleans Saints vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jan. 5 @ 1 p.m. ET

Spread: Saints +13 (-112) | Buccaneers -13 (-108)

Total: Over 43.5 Points (-110) | Under 43.5 Points (-110)

Moneyline:  Saints (+615) | Buccaneers (-850)

• The Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South with a victory/tie or Falcons loss/tie.

AFC: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos — Jan. 5 @ 4:25 p.m. ET

Spread: Chiefs +10 (-110) | Broncos -10 (-110)

Total: Over 39 Points (-110) | Under 39 Points (-110)

Moneyline: Chiefs (+395) | Broncos (-500)

• The Broncos can a playoff berth with a win/tie or Dolphins loss/tie + Bengals loss/tie.

AFC: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets — Jan. 5 @ 4:25 p.m. ET

Spread: Dolphins -1 (-115) | Jets +1 (-105)

Total: Over 39.5 Points (-110) | Under 39.5 Points (-110)

Moneyline: Dolphins (-125) | Jets (+105)

• The Dolphins can clinch the No. 7 seed with a win + Broncos loss.

NFC: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions — Jan. 5 @ 8:20 p.m. ET

Spread: Vikings +2.5 (+100) | Lions -2.5 (-120)

Total: Over 58 Points (-110) | Under 58 Points (-110)

Moneyline: Vikings (+128) | Lions (-148)

• The Lions can clinch the NFC North and No. 1 seed with a win or tie.
• The Vikings can clinch the NFC North and No. 1 seed with a win.

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Super Bowl 59 Odds Before NFL Week 18

All Super Bowl LIX odds are courtesy of BetOnline.

• Kansas City Chiefs (+325)
• Detroit Lions (+450)
• Buffalo Bills (+550)
• Baltimore Ravens (+700)
• Philadelphia Eagles (+750)
• Minnesota Vikings (+850)
• Green Bay Packers (+1600)
• LA Rams (+2500)
• Los Angeles Chargers (+3500)
• Washington Commanders (+3500)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3500)
• Houston Texans (+5000)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (+5000)
• Denver Broncos (+6600)
• Cincinnati Bengals (+10000)
• Miami Dolphins (+25000)
• Atlanta Falcons (+30000)

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