NFL Playoff Picture, Week 18: Lions Secure NFC's Top Seed, Bucs Win NFC South

Detroit dominated Minnesota to win the NFC North and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, and Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South.

The Lions dominated the Vikings on Sunday night to clinch the NFC North and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. / Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For a few teams, this is the week that meant everything.

In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions played the ultimate Game 272 at Ford Field, and it wasn’t a contest. Detroit won 31–9 and will have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Incredibly, the 14-win Vikings are the fifth seed and are going on the road next weekend. 

Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South, earning a victory over the New Orleans Saints. And in the AFC, the Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs to take the seventh and final seed in the AFC. Finally, the Baltimore Ravens won the AFC North on Saturday for the second straight year.

Below is everything you need to know about the ramifications of Week 18.

Additionally, all playoff probabilities are courtesy of The Athletic’s model.

AFC: WHO’S IN

No. 1: Kansas City Chiefs

Record: 15–2, first place, AFC West

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

The Chiefs are locked into the No. 1 seed and are resting starters against the Broncos, who must win Sunday afternoon to clinch a playoff spot.

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No. 2: Buffalo Bills

Record: 14–3, first place, AFC East

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

Buffalo is locked into the second seed and will likely rest many stars Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium against the New England Patriots.

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No. 3: Baltimore Ravens

Record: 12–5, first place, AFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

Baltimore clinched the third seed after its 35–10 win over the Browns and will be at home in the wild-card round.

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No. 4: Houston Texans

Record: 10–7, first place, AFC South

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

The Texans are locked into the fourth seed. However, they might play most of their starters against the Tennessee Titans after being blown out on Christmas by the Ravens.

No. 5: Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 11–6, second place, AFC West

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

With the Steelers losing on Saturday, the Chargers moved into the No. 5 seed by beating the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

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No. 6: Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 10–7, second place, AFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

After their loss to the Bengals, the Steelers will become the third team to enter the playoffs on a four-game losing streak. Pittsburgh will have to wait for the outcome of Sunday’s games to determine whether it’s going on the road to play the Ravens or the Texans in the wild-card round.

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No. 7: Denver Broncos

Record: 10–7, third place, AFC West
Remaining opponents over .500: 1
Playoff probability: 72%

For the Broncos, they’ll be the No. 7 seed and visit the Bills in the wild-card round. Denver will be on the road throughout the postseason.

NFC: WHO’S IN

No. 1: Detroit Lions

Record: 15–2, first place, NFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

Detroit and Minnesota were expected to lock in for an epic struggle on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field. Instead, Detroit won in a rout, earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. It’s the first time the Lions have ever been the NFC’s top seed. 

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No. 2: Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 14–3, first place, NFC East

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100% 

The Eagles are the second seed in the NFC playoffs, guaranteeing two home games should they advance past the wild-card round. Next weekend, they will host the Green Bay Packers.

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No. 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Record: 10–7, first place, NFC South

Playoff probability: 100%

Tampa Bay has won the NFC South, and will now host the Washington Commanders after the Los Angeles Rams lost to the Seattle Seahawks. 

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No. 4: Los Angeles Rams

Record: 10–7, first place, NFC West

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

Los Angeles won the NFC West, but slid to the No. 4 seed with the home loss to the Seahawks. The Rams will now face the Vikings next Monday night.

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No. 5: Minnesota Vikings

Record: 14–3, second place, NFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 1

Playoff probability: 100%

With the loss to the Lions, the Vikings became the first 14-win team to ever travel for their first playoff game. Next up, a trip to Los Angeles for a Monday night date with the Rams.

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No. 6: Washington Commanders

Record: 12–5, second place, NFC East

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

Washington has clinched sixth seed by beating the CeeDee Lamb-less Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders will play the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay on wild-card weekend despite having the better record.

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No. 7: Green Bay Packers

Record: 11–6, third place, NFC North

Remaining opponents over .500: 0

Playoff probability: 100%

With the Packers losing to the Chicago Bears (quickly followed by Washington beating Dallas), Green Bay is the seventh seed for the second consecutive year and will visit the Eagles next weekend.