The NFL playoffs have truly begun, even if the regular season is still underway.
On Saturday, the Steelers faced the Ravens with their playoff hopes on the line, and the Colts and Texans played in a de facto playoff game with the winner guaranteed a spot in the postseason and potentially an AFC South title. The Steelers wound up staving off elimination, while the Texans officially secured their playoff ticket with a win.
And that is only the beginning of a Week 18 with plenty on the line. There are still four division titles up for grabs and two other wild-card positions still open. The Cowboys and Eagles will have their division on the line. The Jaguars have to win to secure the AFC South title or risk missing the postseason altogether. The Packers, Seahawks, Saints and Vikings all have a shot at securing the last wild-card in the NFC. And Sunday's busy day of action will end with the AFC East title game between the Dolphins and Bills.
There is still plenty left on the line in the final weekend of NFL action. How are the playoffs currently shaping up? Here's what you need to know.
LIVE: Updated NFL standings, playoff scenarios for Week 18
NFL playoff bracket 2024
AFC
- Baltimore Ravens (bye)
- Buffalo Bills vs. 7. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kansas City Chiefs vs. 6. Miami Dolphins
- Houston Texans vs. 5. Cleveland Browns
NFC
- San Francisco 49ers (bye)
- Dallas Cowboys vs. 7. Green Bay Packers
- Detroit Lions vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. 5. Philadelphia Eagles
Who's in the NFL playoffs 2024?
The 2024 playoff field is all set. The Bills topped the Dolphins Sunday night to end the regular season and win the AFC East. They join the Ravens, Chiefs and Texans as AFC division winners. The Dolphins place sixth among wild-card teams behind the Browns and ahead of the Steelers.
The 49ers, Cowboys, Lions and Buccaneers won their respective divisions in the NFC, while the Eagles, Rams and Packers head to the postseason as wild cards.
Here is a look at the current standings for the 2024 postseason.
AFC standings
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1. | Baltimore Ravens | 13-3 |
| 2. | Buffalo Bills | 11-6 |
| 3. | Kansas City Chiefs | 10-6 |
| 4. | Houston Texans | 10-7 |
| 5. | Cleveland Browns | 11-5 |
| 6. | Miami Dolphins | 11-6 |
| 7. | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-7 |
Eliminated: Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots
NFC standings
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1. | San Francisco 49ers | 12-5 |
| 2. | Dallas Cowboys | 12-5 |
| 3. | Detroit Lions | 12-5 |
| 4. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9-8 |
| 5. | Philadelphia Eagles | 11-6 |
| 6. | Los Angeles Rams | 10-7 |
| 7. | Green Bay Packers | 9-8 |
Eliminated: New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers
AFC playoff matchups
1. Baltimore Ravens (first-round bye)
The Ravens locked down the No. 1 seed with their victory over the Dolphins in Week 17.
2. Buffalo Bills vs. 7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bills secured the AFC East and No. 2 seed with a win over the Dolphins Sunday night, which ensures home-field advantage over any AFC team besides the Ravens. Buffalo last played the Steelers in Week 5 in 2022 and dismantled Pittsburgh 38-3.
3. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 6. Miami Dolphins
The Chiefs are locked into the third seed in the AFC regardless of the final weekend's results. Kansas City will face off against the Dolphins and former star Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill in a Week 9 rematch, during which the Chiefs won 21-14.
4. Houston Texans vs. 5. Cleveland Browns
Two teams that finished last place in their respective divisions in 2022 will meet up in the first round of the playoffs. C.J. Stroud did not face off against the Browns earlier in 2023 when the two teams met, and the Browns routed the Case Keenum-led Texans 36-22.
NFC playoff matchups
1. San Francisco 49ers (first-round bye)
The 49ers locked down the No. 1 seed with their victory over the Commanders in Week 17.
2. Dallas Cowboys vs. 7. Green Bay Packers
The Cowboys and Packers have delivered some all-time great playoff matchups, particularly in recent years. Jordan Love has guided the Packers to the playoffs in his first year as the starter, while Dak Prescott vaulted himself into the MVP conversation in leading the Cowboys to the No. 2 seed and an NFC East crown.
3. Detroit Lions vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams
It's going to be a pair of revenge games for the quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford was the long-time QB of the Lions and Jared Goff took the Rams to a Super Bowl before the two were traded for one another before the 2021 season. Now they'll each try to end their former team's playoff bid.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. 5. Philadelphia Eagles
Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South with its win over the Panthers on Sunday, and after the Cowboys' win over the Commanders, the Eagles will finish as the fifth seed in the NFC. These two teams squared off two years ago in the wild-card round, with the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers thumping the Eagles 31-15.
