Checking out the NFL Playoff Hunt before Week 18

We’re entering the final week of the 2021 NFL season. Some fans worried that adding another week would dilute the NFL’s product by putting meaningless games on television. A few games this weekend hold no influence over the playoffs, but many teams are fighting for their lives and seeding advantages.

Five AFC teams have clinched their spots in the playoffs while six of the seven available postseason bids are already gone in the NFC. Today, we’ll look at the franchises still in the hunt for those elusive final three playoff spots.

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NFL Playoff Picture

AFC Standings

Unlike in the NFC, a team hasn’t clinched the first round bye in the AFC. Cincinnati, Kansas City, and Tennessee all have decent chances of claiming the top spot. The Titans currently hold the top seed at 11-5, but the Chiefs have the same record. Cincinnati only comes into the picture at 10-6 if both of those 11-5 teams lose.

All three of those teams already know they’re making the playoffs. The other secured postseason bids are in the hands of Buffalo (10-6, fourth seed) and New England (10-6, fifth seed). Bill Belichick and company could retake the AFC East crown if the Bills fall in Week 18 and New England takes care of business against Miami.

Justin Herbert in action against Cincinnati.

The five teams remaining in the playoff hunt in this conference include the Indianapolis Colts (9-7), Los Angeles Chargers (9-7), Las Vegas Raiders (9-7), Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7-1), and Baltimore Ravens (8-8).

Indianapolis is in a win-and-in situation. They play Jacksonville, which gives Carson Wentz’s team a great chance of making the postseason. The Chargers and Raiders play each other in Week 18. The winner automatically qualifies for the playoffs.

Things are more difficult for Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The two AFC North rivals clash in Week 18, and we recently learned Tyler Huntley will start in place of the injured Lamar Jackson. The Steelers need to beat the Ravens, have the Colts lose, and avoid a tie in the Chargers vs. Raiders game.

Baltimore needs a win, Colts loss, Chargers loss or tie, and a Dolphins loss or tie.

Before continuing with the NFL playoff hunt preview, let’s check out the upcoming action across the league. 

Aaron Rodgers against the Bears.

NFC Standings

The NFC is more straightforward. Green Bay already locked down the top seed at 13-3, making their game against Detroit fairly meaningless. Tampa Bay (12-4, third seed) and Dallas (11-5, fourth seed) have already secured their divisions. The Los Angeles Rams (12-4) and Arizona Cardinals (11-5) have already clinched playoff berths, but the NFC West title is up for grabs.

The Cardinals get Seattle at home this weekend while the Rams face San Francisco at home. Los Angeles winning results in Matthew Stafford’s team keeping the second seed. However, they could plummet to fifth with a loss and Cardinals win.

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Philadelphia (9-7) is the sixth NFC team to have clinched a spot in the playoffs.

The New Orleans Saints (8-8) and San Francisco 49ers (9-7) are the only teams who haven’t clinched but can still make the playoffs. San Francisco can claim the sixth seed with a win against Los Angeles, while New Orleans gets the seventh seed with a win over Atlanta and a 49ers loss.

Final Verdict

The Colts are 2-2 in their last four games against Jacksonville, with both losses on the road. Frank Reich’s team must break that slump because they’re traveling to Florida for the season’s final week. I’m confident the Colts win and claim a spot in the playoffs.

That leaves one spot in the AFC, and it should go to either the Chargers or Raiders. Baltimore and Pittsburgh did their best with bad situations, but they’re not playoff-caliber teams.

Meanwhile, San Francisco is clearly the superior team to New Orleans. They’ve drawn a tough matchup against the Rams, but betting on the Saints to outright beat Atlanta is risky. I think the 49ers get the final spot out west.

Join the action with some betting tips for the 2021 season. Feel free to explore betting on leagues outside of the NFL.