The final week of the 2023-2024 NFL season is upon us, and there are several clinching scenarios that will affect where almost everyone’s playoff seeds. While some teams clinched playoff spots in week 17, others clinched their seeds. But for some, the final week of the season will determine if they continue playing into January or if it will be an early offseason. Let’s take a look at the AFC playoff seeds.

AFC North Playoff Seeds

The AFC North is one of the easiest divisions to determine where certain teams are locked. The Baltimore Ravens destroyed the Miami Dolphins in week 17 to clinch the division, the number one seed and a first round bye. The Cleveland Browns have also already clinched a playoff spot. They are locked in the number five seed and will play the number four seed AFC South Champion on Wild Card weekend.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ scenario is a little trickier. Pittsburgh sits in the number nine spot in the AFC and must play Baltimore in the final week of the season. Most scenarios require a Pittsburgh win to make the postseason. However, there are paths with a tie or even a loss for the Steelers. Pittsburgh can’t make it without help though. The Steelers will be closely monitoring the Colts vs. Texans, Jaguars vs. Titans, Bills vs. Dolphins and Broncos vs. Raiders. Pittsburgh can only earn the number seven seed.

AFC East Playoff Seeds

Only two AFC East teams are in the playoff hunt. The question is whether one or two teams will still be playing after Sunday. The Dolphins and Bills face each other in the final game of the season Sunday night with the division title on the line. The winner of the game will be the number two seed no matter what. The question becomes where does the loser of that game fall?

If Buffalo beats Miami, the Dolphins will slip to the number six seed and play the number three seed Kansas City Chiefs on Wild Card weekend. The road is more questionable for Buffalo. Buffalo clinches the seven seed as long as either Pittsburgh or Jacksonville loses. The Bills clinch the sixth seed if Pittsburgh and Jacksonville both lose. And Buffalo is eliminated if the Steelers and Jaguars both win.

AFC West Playoff Seeds

While the North is one of the simplest, the AFC West is the simplest. The Kansas City Chiefs clinched the division and the number three seed. They will host the number six seed on Wild Card weekend. The remaining AFC West teams are eliminated. However, the Broncos-Raiders game could impact the number seven seed when it comes to playoff tiebreakers.

AFC South Playoff Seeds

Two of the three AFC South teams are likely making the playoffs, but which two? The Jacksonville Jaguars have the easiest road. If Jacksonville beats Tennessee, the Jaguars are the number four seed and will host Cleveland in the playoffs. If Jacksonville loses, they can still clinch the division if Houston and Indianapolis tie, but it’s more likely the Jaguars become a Wild Card team. Jacksonville would be the number seven seed if the Ravens beat the Steelers and the Raiders beat the Broncos. However, if Jacksonville loses and either Pittsburgh or Denver wins, the Jaguars would be eliminated on a tiebreaker.

Meanwhile, the Texans-Colts game has many more implications. The winner clinches a playoff spot and can clinch the four seed if Tennessee beats Jacksonville. A Jacksonville win means both Houston’s and Indianapolis’ seeding would depend on the Bills-Dolphins game. If Miami wins, the Texans-Colts winner is the number six seed and plays Kansas City. If Buffalo wins, the Texans-Colts winner is the number seven seed and plays Buffalo.

Playoff Predictions

I’m predicting Buffalo to walk into Miami beat up an injured Dolphins team. Meanwhile, Baltimore will likely rest its starts, and Pittsburgh will steal a win. I’m also picking the Texans and Jaguars to win in the South. When all is said and done, I believe the playoff seeding will be:

1. Baltimore Ravens (Bye)
2. Buffalo Bills vs. 7. Houston Texans
3. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 6. Miami Dolphins
4. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. 5. Cleveland Browns

It’s going to a wild final weekend to the regular season.

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