Sep 22, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) and Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) exchange jerseys after a game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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NFL Playoff Picture: Buccaneers and Broncos only two teams with a “Win and In” scenario for Week 18

Buccaneers, Broncos: Week 18 playoff scenarios clarified.

As the NFL heads into the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is almost complete, but a few critical spots remain up for grabs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos are the only teams with a simple path forward: win in Week 18, and they’re in. For the Buccaneers, a victory secures the NFC South title and a playoff berth. The Broncos face a similar must-win situation in the AFC.

Tampa Bay controls its destiny in NFC South

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers climbed back to the top of the NFC South after a decisive Week 17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Later that evening, the Washington Commanders handed the Atlanta Falcons an overtime loss, giving Tampa Bay a one-game lead in the division. However, Atlanta holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, so the Buccaneers must win in Week 18 to secure the division title.

THE BUCCANEERS CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY.

WIN. AND. WERE. IN. pic.twitter.com/tIqhAj9Slh
— Ashlie (@EMT_Ashlie) December 30, 2024

Tampa Bay’s situation is straightforward. A win against the New Orleans Saints ensures their fourth consecutive division title and a playoff berth. A loss could mean elimination, depending on other results. Even if the Buccaneers secure the division, their seeding could improve to the No. 3 spot if the Los Angeles Rams lose to Seattle.

Lions and Vikings prepare for NFC North showdown

Detroit and Minnesota head into Week 18 with identical 14-2 records, setting up a winner-takes-all battle for the NFC North. The Lions hold the tiebreaker, having swept the season series against the Vikings, including a 31-29 thriller in Week 7. A Detroit win secures the top seed in the NFC, a first-round bye, and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. If the Vikings win, they’ll claim the division, dropping Detroit to the No. 5 seed.

Eagles lock in NFC’s second seed

The Philadelphia Eagles secured the NFC East with a Week 17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, despite being without quarterback Jalen Hurts. Philadelphia can use Week 18 to rest key players, as they are locked into the No. 2 seed. Their final game is against the New York Giants, who they defeated 28-3 earlier this season. The Eagles will face the NFC’s lowest-seeded Wild Card team in the opening round, likely Green Bay or Washington.

Rams secure NFC West amid tiebreaker chaos

The Los Angeles Rams clinched the NFC West, thanks to strength-of-victory tiebreakers that eliminated the Seattle Seahawks from contention. The Rams’ 13-9 win over Arizona in Week 17 helped, but results from other teams ultimately locked the division title. The Rams can secure the No. 3 seed with a win in Week 18. A loss, combined with a Buccaneers win, would drop them to the No. 4 seed.

Commanders and Packers battle for Wild Card seeding

The Washington Commanders secured their playoff spot with a dramatic overtime win over Atlanta. At 11-5, they hold the No. 6 seed, with a chance to move up if they win against Dallas and Green Bay falters against Chicago. The Packers, also 11-5, sit as the No. 7 seed and need a win plus outside help to climb higher.

The Broncos haven't been back to the playoffs since they won Super Bowl 50.

Denver can change that on Sunday.

A win and they're in.

📺: CBS & Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/dfDzwypZGz
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 3, 2025

Week 18 stakes for Atlanta Falcons

At 8-8, the Falcons are still alive in the NFC South race but need significant help. They must defeat the Panthers and hope the Saints upset the Buccaneers. Atlanta has leaned on rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whose recent performances have revitalized the team, including a 34-7 rout of the Giants and a competitive overtime loss to Washington. Both NFC South games will kick off simultaneously, adding drama to the division race.

Eliminated NFC teams

Seattle (9-7), Dallas (7-9), Arizona (7-9), San Francisco (6-10), New Orleans (5-11), Chicago (4-12), Carolina (4-12), and the New York Giants (3-13) have been officially eliminated from playoff contention.

What’s next for the Buccaneers?

Tampa Bay faces New Orleans in Week 18. The Saints have struggled, losing four of their last five games and failing to score more than 20 points in any of those contests. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler has started in place of an injured Derek Carr, and Tampa Bay capitalized in their previous matchup, winning 51-27 after a second-half offensive surge. A win here would mirror last year’s scenario, where the Buccaneers clinched the division in the final week.

Image: Imagn

Broncos

Buccaneers

Buccaneers and Broncos

Win and in

Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
Got into sports media the same way most people do: by (fortunate) accident. Started with SEO writing, took on a few sports gigs, and now here we are! I cover games, trades, player drama—whatever needs words.
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