NFL Week 18 playoff picture: Clinching scenarios, standings - ESPN

Just 17 games remain in the 2024 NFL regular season, with "Monday Night Football" and the Week 18 slate setting up a hectic finish to the playoff picture. Twelve teams have clinched postseason spots, leaving an opening apiece in the AFC and NFC, but there's a lot to be worked out with seeding.

The NFC North and 1-seed in the NFC is up for grabs, with the winner of the Minnesota Vikings-Detroit Lions finale getting a first-round bye. The AFC North and NFC South titles will come down to Week 18, as well.

Here are the clinching scenarios for Week 18, along with projected seeds and matchups from ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI):

More NFL playoff race coverage:
Tracking the playoff picture
FPI ratings for every team
Full standings for all 32 teams

Already clinched: Kansas City Chiefs (1-seed), Buffalo Bills (2-seed), Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers

The matchup: vs. Cleveland on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

How the Ravens can clinch the AFC North title:

Win/tie OR

Pittsburgh loss/tie vs. Cincinnati

The matchup: vs. Cincinnati on Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

How the Steelers can clinch the AFC North title:

Win + Baltimore loss vs. Cleveland

The matchup: at Pittsburgh on Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC

How the Bengals can clinch a playoff berth:

Win + Denver loss vs. Kansas City + Miami loss/tie at N.Y. Jets

The matchup: vs. Kansas City on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS

How the Broncos can clinch a playoff berth:

Win/tie OR

Cincinnati loss/tie at Pittsburgh + Miami loss/tie at N.Y. Jets

The matchup: at N.Y. Jets on Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox

How the Dolphins can clinch a playoff berth:

Win + Denver loss vs. Kansas City

Already clinched: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles (2-seed),