High tension in week 18. The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans play the playoff ticket over first place AFC South in a head-to-head duel. TOUCHDOWN24 with the clinching scenarios at the end of the regular season.
- Titans and Jaguars make up the AFC’s 4th seed
- Patriots in pole position on the AFC’s 7th seed
- Packers with a win inside
Three tickets are still open. While some teams still have complicated if-then chains to get into the playoffs, it’s easy for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans. The winner of this duel wins the AFC South and is there for sure. The Jaguars could even occupy the 7th seed in the AFC with a loss. Who else can make it to the playoffs?
TENNESSEE TITANS
(via Winning the AFC South)
“Win and in” – that’s the simple formula for the Tennessee Titans’ success in making the playoffs for the fourth time in a row. But the omens are not favorable. Head coach Mike Vrabel’s team is on the downtrend after a strong start to the season, losing the last six games in a row. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill is also missing. Hopes rest on backup Joshua Dobbs. A loss in Jacksonville ends the Titans’ season.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
(via Winning the AFC South or the Conference’s 7th Seed)
Similar signs apply to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are confident in the duel with four wins under their belt. With a win, head coach Doug Pederson’s team has secured the playoff ticket. Even one loss can be enough to get you into the postseason via the AFC’s 7th seed. But the New England Patriots (to the Buffalo Bills), the Miami Dolphins (to the New York Jets) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (to the Cleveland Browns) would also have to lose for that.
THE AFC’S FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT
In front of the Jaguars, however, other teams have the advantage in the fight for the last AFC ticket. The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS have the simplest arithmetic problem. A win at the Buffalo Bills puts the Patriots in regardless of other results. If the Patriots lost, the MIAMI DOLPHINS would be the first to move up – provided they beat the New York Jets. If the Dolphins also lose, the PITTSBURGH STEELERS would be in there with a win over the Cleveland Browns. If all three lose, we’re back to the JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS unless they beat the Titans. A loss could also be enough for the PATRIOTS if the Dolphins and Steelers lose and the Jaguars win.
THE FINAL PLAYOFF SPOT of the NFC
The SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, DETROIT LIONS and GREEN BAY PACKERS are still applying for the last NFC ticket. Curious: Although the Packers are in the bottom position in the current playoff picture, they have the best starting position. If the Packers win their home game against the Lions, they not only overtake Detroit but also Seattle because of the better tiebreaker. The SEAHAWKS are dependent on their own victory in the home game against the Los Angeles Rams due to the direct duel between the Packers and the Lions and at the same time have to hope that the Packers do not win. SEATTLE can afford a draw if the other duel also ends in a draw. The LIONS make the playoffs if they beat the Packers and Seattle doesn’t win. A draw against Green Bay would also suffice in the event of a Seahawks bankruptcy.
FIGHT FOR DIVISIONS AND SEEDS
In addition, for most of the teams that have already qualified for the playoffs, it is still about getting the best possible placement in the playoffs. In the long-distance duel with the DALLAS COWBOYS, the PHILADELPHIA EAGLES not only make up first place in the NFC East among themselves, but also the first seed of the NFC, for which the SAN FRANCISCO 49ers have an advantage over the Cowboys in the event of an Eagles bankruptcy and their own victory would be. Bitter: The loser from the long-distance duel between Dallas and Philadelphia slips to the 5th seed. One thing is certain: The TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS will make it into the playoffs on the 4th seed, the NEW YORK GIANTS will be on the 6th seed and the MINNESOTA VIKINGS will land on either the 2nd or 3rd seed.
In the AFC, the overall situation is more complicated due to the lack of a duel between the BUFFALO BILLS and the CINCINNATI BENGALS. Depending on the results from week 18, the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS can also move into the playoffs on the 1st seed alongside these two teams. There is a high probability that the AFC Championship Game will be played on a neutral pitch anyway. The 3rd SEED could also be the BALTIMORE RAVENS with a win in Week 18 against the Bengals, the TENNESSEE TITANS and JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS for the 4th seed, while the LOS ANGELES CHARGERS with either the 5th or 6th seed in make the playoffs.