NFL 2023 playoff picture, standings in Week 18: Texans clinch playoff spot, how Houston can win AFC South
Written by CBS SPORTS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on January 7, 2024
The final week of the 2023 NFL regular season is here, with the playoff races finally set to be determined. Four teams are in the hunt for the final two spots, but the Texans clinched one with their victory over the Colts Saturday night (the Colts were eliminated with the loss). The AFC East is also up for grabs with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins squaring off for the division title on Sunday night.
In the NFC, the NFC East and NFC South are still up for grabs. The Dallas Cowboys seal the NFC East with a win, same with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NFC South. Three teams are in the hunt for the NFC South title while four teams are in the race for the final playoff spot in the NFC. The Green Bay Packers seal the berth with a win.
Below, how each team can get into the playoffs will be explained. Here’s a breakdown of the current standings and what each contender is facing.
AFC playoff picture
| Seed | Team | W | L | T | PCT | DIFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | z-Ravens | 13 | 4 | .765 | +203 | |
| 2 | x-Dolphins | 11 | 5 | .688 | +112 | |
| 3 | y-Chiefs | 10 | 6 | .625 | +76 | |
| 4 | Jaguars | 9 | 7 | .563 | +14 | |
| 5 | x-Browns | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +51 |
| 6 | Bills | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | +133 |
| 7 | x-Texans | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | +26 |
| 8 | Steelers | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 | -20 |
| 9 | e-Colts | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 | -21 |
| 10 | e-Bengals | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | -35 |
| 11 | e-Broncos | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | -2 |
| 12 | e-Raiders | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -12 |
| 13 | e-Jets | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | -101 |
| 14 | e-Titans | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | -70 |
| 15 | e-Chargers | 5 | 11 | 0 | .333 | -51 |
| 16 | e-Patriots | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | -116 |
z-clinched home-field advantage
x-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched division
e-eliminated
Baltimore Ravens
What to know: The Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They have the first-round bye.
Miami Dolphins
What to know: Miami is the No. 2 seed in the AFC and plays Buffalo for the AFC East title, but have already clinched a playoff spot. The Dolphins are the No. 2 seed with a win and the No. 6 seed with a loss.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bills
Kansas City Chiefs
What to know: The Chiefs wrapped up the AFC West title and are locked into the No. 3 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Chargers
Jacksonville Jaguars
What to know: The Jaguars are currently the No. 4 seed in the AFC and lead the AFC South. The Jaguars own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Texans and Colts for the division lead. They clinch the AFC South with a win and miss the playoffs with a loss.
Remaining schedule: at Titans
Cleveland Browns
What to know: The Browns are locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC.
Remaining schedule: at Bengals
Buffalo Bills
What to know: The Bills are the No. 6 seed heading into the final week. A win over the Dolphins gives the Bills the AFC East title — and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. Buffalo will still make the playoffs with a loss, but need the Jaguars to lose too.
Remaining schedule: at Dolphins
Houston Texans
What to know: The Texans clinch a playoff spot with their win over the Colts. Houston will clinch the AFC South with a Jacksonville loss. The Texans are the No. 6 seed with a Jaguars win and Bills loss. They are the No. 7 seed with a Jaguars win and Bills win.
Pittsburgh Steelers
What to know: The Steelers got their win over the Ravens, and now need some help to make the postseason. Pittsburgh will be the No. 6 seed with a Jaguars loss and Bills loss. The Steelers will be the No. 7 seed with a Bills win and Jaguars loss or a Jaguars win and Bills loss. If the Jaguars and Bills win, the Steelers are eliminated.
Indianapolis Colts
What to know: The Colts are eliminated from the playoffs with their loss to the Texans.
NFC playoff picture
| Rank | Team | W | L | T | PCT | DIFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | z-49ers | 12 | 4 | .773 | +194 | |
| 2 | x-Cowboys | 11 | 5 | .688 | +166 | |
| 3 | y-Lions | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +56 |
| 4 | 8 | 8 | .500 | +14 | ||
| 5 | x-Eagles | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | +22 |
| 6 | x-Rams | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | +26 |
| 7 | Packers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | +25 |
| 8 | Seahawks | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | -39 |
| 9 | Saints | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | +44 |
| 10 | Vikings | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -8 |
| 11 | e-Bears | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -11 |
| 12 | Falcons | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | -21 |
| 13 | e-Giants | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | -158 |
| 14 | e-Commanders | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | -161 |
| 15 | e-Cardinals | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | -124 |
| 16 | e-Panthers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | -171 |
z-clinched home-field advantage
x-clinched playoff berth
y-clinched division
e-eliminated
San Francisco 49ers
What to know: The 49ers clinched home-field advantage in the NFC. They’ll have the first-round bye.
Remaining schedule: vs. Rams
Dallas Cowboys
What to know: The Cowboys clinch the NFC East with a win. If the Cowboys loss and Eagles win, Dallas will be the No. 5 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Commanders
Detroit Lions
What to know: The Lions have clinched the NFC North and are currently the No. 3 seed in the NFC. The Lions can be the No. 2 seed with a win, Cowboys loss, and Eagles loss. They are the No. 3 seed with a loss or if the Cowboys or Eagles win.
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What to know: The Buccaneers lead the NFC South. They hold the tiebreaker over the Saints and Falcons based on best win percentage in common games and can clinch the division with a win next week. They miss the playoffs entirely with a loss.
Remaining schedule: at Panthers
Philadelphia Eagles
What to know: The Eagles are the No. 5 seed in the NFC. Philadelphia needs a win and a Dallas loss in Week 18 to win the NFC East. In that scenario, the Eagles get the No. 2 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Giants
Los Angeles Rams
What to know: The Rams are the No. 6 seed in the conference and have clinched a playoff berth. They seal the No. 6 seed with a win or Packers loss. They are the No. 7 seed with a loss and Packers win.
Remaining schedule: at 49ers
Green Bay Packers
What to know: The Packers are in the No. 7 spot and can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Bears. They can still make the playoffs with a loss, but need a Seahawks loss, Vikings loss, and a loss by either the Saints or Buccaneers.
Remaining schedule: vs. Bears
Seattle Seahawks
What to know: The Seahawks sit in the No. 8 spot. They hold the tiebreaker over the Saints (No. 9) based on having a better record in conference games. They need a win and Packers loss to make the playoffs. Seattle is eliminated with a loss or Green Bay win.
Remaining schedule: at Cardinals
New Orleans Saints
What to know: The Saints are the No. 9 seed, tied for first in the NFC South. Tampa Bay has the better win percentage in common games, so the Buccaneers hold the tiebreaker. The Saints win the NFC South with a win and Buccaneers loss and can clinch a playoff spot (No. 7 seed) with a win, Buccaneers win, Packers loss, and Seahawks loss. They are eliminated from the playoffs with a loss or a Buccaneers win and Packers win or a Buccaneers win and Seahawks win.
Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons
Minnesota Vikings
What to know: The Vikings are No. 10 in the NFC and on life support. They need a win over the Lions in Week 18 and plenty of help to get into the playoffs. The Vikings get in with a win, Seahawks loss, Packers loss and a loss by either the Saints or Buccaneers. If the Packers, Buccaneers, Saints, or Seahawks win — the Vikings are eliminated.
Remaining schedule: at Lions
Atlanta Falcons
What to know: The Falcons fall to the No. 12 seed but are still a game out of the NFC South. Atlanta wins the NFC South with a win over New Orleans and a Tampa Bay loss.
Remaining schedule: at Saints
The post NFL 2023 playoff picture, standings in Week 18: Texans clinch playoff spot, how Houston can win AFC South first appeared on CBS Sports.
