In the final regular season game, 9 NFL teams will have playoff implications at stake.

The 2024 NFL regular season's final week is upon us, with some teams having little left to fight for, either having secured their playoff berth or being eliminated from contention.

This week is crucial for teams not on either end of the spectrum, as there is everything to play for and they must win to stay competitive in the league.

The AFC and NFC have only one playoff spot each, and four AFC games and three NFC games have playoff implications for nine teams.

In Week 18, we should focus on the teams and matchups that could impact a potential deep playoff run squad in the AFC.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (vs. Cleveland Browns) - CLINCHED

The AFC North title is still up for grabs as the Pittsburgh Steelers are just one game behind the Baltimore Ravens, who have already secured their playoff spot for 2024 with an 11-5 record.

If Baltimore wins or ties, they will win the division and secure the No. 3 seed, which guarantees a home game in the Wild Card Round. Additionally, a Steelers loss would also lock up these rewards.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (vs. Cincinnati Bengals) – CLINCHED

The Steelers, like the Ravens, have already made it to the playoffs, but they are striving for the No. 3 seed if possible.

The Ravens will face a much tougher AFC North opponent, the Bengals, who are also striving for an unlikely playoff berth.

The Steelers have a slight advantage over the Ravens because they will play earlier in the day, allowing them to know their standing before facing Cincinnati. A win for the Steelers and a loss for the Ravens would secure the division title for the Steelers.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (vs. Steelers)

The Bengals team has managed to stay alive in the game with four consecutive wins, resulting in an 8-8 record and a chance to secure the final wild card spot.

To secure the Vince Lombardi Trophy, they must win five consecutive games and have favorable circumstances.

In order for the Bengals to make it to the playoffs after a win, the Denver Broncos must lose and the Miami Dolphins must either lose or tie.

DENVER BRONCOS (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

The Chiefs have secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with their 15-1 record, so they will be resting most of their starters on Sunday to prepare for the bye week and ensure key players like Patrick Mahomes are healthy for the Divisional Round.

The Broncos, like Bo Nix, have the same plan as they did a few weeks ago: Win and in. Despite losing two straight games, the Broncos have kept teams like the Bengals and Dolphins alive in the playoff hunt.

Can the 9-7 group, led by their breakout rookie quarterback and stellar defense, bring Denver back into the postseason for the first time since they won the Super Bowl in 2015? They will not face the usual Chiefs and will have the advantage of playing at home to achieve their goal.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (@ New York Jets)

The Dolphins, like the Bengals, require assistance to reach the playoffs, but Cincinnati is not among those in need.

To secure the final playoff spot, Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins must defeat their AFC East rival at MetLife Stadium and monitor the Broncos-Chiefs matchup, hoping for a Denver loss.

DETROIT LIONS - MINNESOTA VIKINGS: FOR THE NFC NO. 1 SEED

The NFC North matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings on Week 18 is crucial as it will determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Lions and Vikings are both 14-2, with the Vikings having won nine straight games and hosting the Lions on "Sunday Night Football" in a highly anticipated game between two teams that would love to host every playoff game except for the Super Bowl.

The No. 5 seed would face the winner of the NFC South in the first round of the playoffs.

Get ready, football enthusiasts. In Week 18, two of the top offenses will clash, with a lot at stake. This is playoff-style football without the pressure of elimination.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS OR ATLANTA FALCONS?

The NFC South has been unattractive, but Week 18 adds excitement as the Bucs and Falcons compete for the final playoff spot, which will be determined by the division title.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an advantage, as a victory over the Carolina Panthers at home would secure them the division title, regardless of the outcome of the Atlanta Falcons' game against the New Orleans Saints.

If the Falcons win and the Bucs lose, it would be Atlanta winning the division.

If Kirk Cousins is not the starting quarterback for the Falcons anymore, he still had two of his best games of the season against Tampa Bay, resulting in Falcons wins in both matchups. With a clean sweep in the regular season, the Falcons would own the tiebreaker over the Bucs and become NFC South champions.

Both games will occur simultaneously at 1 p.m. ET, adding to the suspense for fans of both franchises.

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