(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
Going into the final week of the 2024 NFL season, three teams are competing for the final and seventh seed in the AFC playoff race.
Three more teams are competing for the fifth overall seed. And if that’s not enough, two more are competing for the AFC North division title, with the loser potentially dropping to the No. 6 spot.
So, what does this mean for the Houston Texans? Honestly, not much. Even in a loss against the Tennessee Titans, Houston would remain locked in as the No. 4 seed.
The Denver Broncos (9-7) currently hold the No. 7 seed. Should they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, either the Miami Dolphins (8-8) or Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) could overtake Bo Nix and company for the final wild-card spot.
The Broncos will host the Chiefs and the Dolphins will face the New York Jets on Sunday. The Bengals will travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.
NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card
- If the Broncos beat (or tie) the Chiefs, Denver would clinch a playoff berth.
- If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins beat the Jets, Miami would clinch a playoff berth.
- If the Broncos lose to KC and the Dolphins lose to NY and the Bengals beat the Steelers, Cincinnati would clinch a playoff berth.
- If the Dolphins and Bengals both lose, Denver would clinch a playoff berth even if the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are battling for the AFC North division. And the Los Angeles Chargers, who currently own the No. 6 seed, could improve their stock with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Here are the wild-card clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.
NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card
- If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
- If the Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals and the Ravens lose to the Browns, Pittsburgh would clinch the AFC North.
- If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to(or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
- If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns and Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
- If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
- If the Chargers win over the Raiders and the Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Los Angeles would clinch the No. 5 seed.
The Texans would face either the Ravens, Steelers or Chargers based on Saturday and Sunday’s results.