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The final week of the regular season is here. The 2025 season has flown by. There are surprise teams in the playoff picture -- the Jaguars and Bears -- and disappointments that aren't: the Lions, for one. What does each division look like when it comes to who will make the postseason and where each team might land. The No. 1 seeds are up for grabs in both the AFC and NFC. That means plenty of exciting games as the NFL wraps up another unpredictable campaign.
AFC East
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye runs on a keeper.
The New England Patriots are champions of the division. Mike Vrabel has done a remarkable job in turning the team around in his first season. The Pats would become the No. 1 seed if they defeat the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Chargers topple the Denver Broncos. The Buffalo Bills are in, too. As things currently stand, Buffalo would be the No. 7 seed and could have to go a third round with the Patriots in the wild-card round.
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AFC North
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson passes the ball while defended by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith.
Plain and simple here: The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens tangle in Week 18 for the AFC North title. Given the ordinary records both teams have put together, the champ will wind up as the No. 4 seed in the AFC postseason picture.
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cameron Mitchell and Jacksonville Jaguars running back Deejay Dallas hit the turf as a pass goes incomplete.
The surprising Jacksonville Jaguars have a strong chance to win the division. If they beat the Titans, that would seal the deal. It would take a lot for the Jags to gain the No. 1 seed. They would need the Broncos to lose to the Chargers and the Dolphins to down the Patriots. The Jags also would clinch the title if the Colts beat the Houston Texans. Better off taking care of business on their own.
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AFC West
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin pushes off Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still.
The Denver Broncos are the champs, dethroning the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos can clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a win over the Chargers. If other teams were to lose, the Patriots and Jaguars, that would lock in the bye, too.
NFC East
Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sidelines in the second quarter of the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on January 05, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Philadelphia Eagles broke the jinx of teams failing to repeat as NFC East champions. Philly will wind up as the No. 2 or 3 seed in the NFC.
NFC North
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The Chicago Bears are the champions of the division in Ben Johnson's first year as coach. They will wind up as the second or third seed in the conference. If the Bears defeat the Detroit Lions in the final game of the regular season, they would go a third round with the Green Bay Packers, a wild-card team, in the opening round.
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NFC South
Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom tackles Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield during the second half at Bank of America Stadium.
The worst division in football will see excitement in Week 18. The Carolina Panthers would be the champs if they defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, if the Panthers lose and the Atlanta Falcons defeat the New Orleans Saints that would create a three-way tie. In that case, Carolina would win the division because it went 3-1 against the Falcons and Bucs.
NFC West
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young scores a rushing touchdown against Seattle Seahawks safety Ty Okada.
The best division in the NFL will put three teams in the postseason. The No. 1 seed is on the line when the Seattle Seahawks meet the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday. The Los Angeles Rams would get the five seed if the they defeat the terrible Arizona Cardinals and Seattle beats the 49ers. That is key because it would create a matchup with the NFC South champ. Yes, it would be on the road but it would be better than playing at Chicago or Philly.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL playoff picture heading into Week 18
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