After 17 weeks of football, the 2022 NFL season is over. So, as Week 18 approaches, which teams are officially in contention for the playoffs, and how does each actually decide on their trip to the postseason? Thanks for your inquiry. Thank you. Below is an up-to-date overview of all the latest clinch scenarios for the remaining open playoff spots.
One more thing: The AFC’s scenario could change with the NFL postponing Monday night’s Bills and Bengals game. field collapse Buffalo Safety’s Dumar Hamlin.Focusing on Hamlin’s health, the league Bills-Bengals matchup not yet decided Wednesday evening now. Scenarios change depending on whether you want to continue the game or cancel outright. The scenario below assumes the Bills and Bengals resume their showdown.
AFC scenario
No. 1 seed (bye + home advantage)
The chief clinch either:
- win + 1 bill loss
- 2 Bill loss + Bengals loss
Invoices clinch either:
- 2 wins
- Bengals win + Chiefs loss
- Victory vs. Patriots + Chiefs and Bengals Lost in Week 18
The Bengals will clinch either:
AFC South title
- Clinch with Jaguar (8-8): Win/Tie vs. Titans
- Clinch with Titans (7-9): Win with the Jaguars
AFC North title
- Clinch for the Bengals (11-4): Win the Ravens or Win/Tie the Bills
7th Seed Wildcard
- Clinch for the Patriots (8-8): Losing Bills or Dolphins vs. Losing Jets AND Losing Steelers vs. Winning Browns AND Jaguars vs. Winning Titans
- Dolphins (8-8) Clinch: Jets and Patriots Defeat at Bills
- Clinch with Steelers (8-8): Win vs. Browns AND Dolphins Losing vs. Jets AND Patriots Losing Bills
- Jaguar (8-8) clinch: Losses by Titans vs. Dolphins, Patriots, and Steelers
NFC scenario
No. 1 seed (bye + home advantage)
The Eagles will clinch either:
The 49ers will clinch either:
- Win vs. Cardinals + Eagles loss vs. Giants
Cowboy clinch either:
- Commanders + Eagles Lost vs. Giants + 49ers Lost/Draw vs. Cardinals Win
NFC East Title
- Eagles (13-3) clinch: Beat the Giants or lose to the Cowboys in Commander
- Clinch for the Cowboys (12-4): Commanders AND Eagles Defeat vs. Giants Victory
7th Seed Wildcard
- The Packers (8-8) clinch with: victory vs lions
- Clinching for the Lions (8-8): Packers win AND Seahawks lose/Tie Rams OR Tie Packers AND Seahawks Lost Rams OR Tie Packers AND Rams-Seahawks tie AND Commanders win Cowboys
- The Seahawks (8-8) clinch: Win vs. Rams AND Packers Lose/Tie vs. Lions, or Tie vs. Rams AND Lions-Packers Tie AND Commanders Lose/Tie vs. Cowboys
For a complete rundown of playoff standings, scenarios and predicted first-round matchups across the NFL, check out our updated postseason predictions Here.
