NFL playoff picture: How the Seattle Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth in Week 18

The Seattle Seahawks lead the NFC heading into Week 18 and can lock things up when they travel to face the San Francisco 49ers in their regular season finale. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday and the Seahawks are a 1.5-point favorite.

This is the second time in six years these two teams are facing off in a Week 18 matchup with so much on the line. In 2019, the 49ers were in first place with a one-game lead on the Seahawks and the game was up in Seattle. This year, everything is reverse, with the Seahawks in first place and the 49ers hosting the game. The 49ers jumped on top in 2019, and while they never trailed in the game, they did need a fourth down stop on the one-yard line in the final seconds to secure the win.

Seattle Seahawks playoff berth clinching scenarios

It’s a straight forward scenario for Seattle. If the Seahawks win or tie against the 49ers, they will clinch the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which means they will get a first round bye. If the Seahawks lose to the 49ers, they will be the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoff bracket and travel to face the winner of the NFC South in the Wild Card round.

NFC standings entering Week 18

Here are the full NFC standings ahead of the weekend:

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3) – x
2. Chicago Bears (11-5) – xy
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – xy
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8)
5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – x
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5) – x
7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) – x
8. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) – e
9. Detroit Lions (8-8) – e
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) – e
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
12. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) – e
13. New Orleans Saints (6-10) – e
14. Washington Commanders (4-12) – e
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-13) – e
16. New York Giants (3-13) – e

x – Team has clinched a playoff spot
y – Team has clinched their division title
e – Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

NFC South standings entering Week 18

Here are the full NFC West standings:

1. Seattle Seahawks: 13-3 – x
2. San Francisco 49ers: 12-4 – x
3. Los Angeles Rams: 11-5 – x
4. Arizona Cardinals: 3-13 – e