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2023-24 NFL playoffs: Everything we know (and don't know) ahead of the NFL Week 18 finale

Jack McKessy, USA TODAY
·4 min read
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With just one week left in the 2023 NFL season, there is still plenty to be determined about the NFL playoff picture.

There are five available playoff spots across both conferences and 11 teams still mathematically capable of taking those spots. Within the battle for those final playoff spots, there are still four division titles – half of the divisions in the NFL – that have yet to be decided ahead of the Week 18 finale.

Here's everything we know so far (as well as everything we don't) including playoff schedule, bracket, seeding and current standings ahead of Sunday's regular season finales.

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The No. 1 seeds in both conferences are set

Though many spots and seeds are up for grabs in both the NFC and AFC, there won't be a battle for the top seed and playoff bye in either conference.

By defeating the Dolphins last week, the Ravens clinched the AFC North title as well as the No. 1 seed in the conference. It's the first time Baltimore has won the division and secured a playoff bye since 2019, when the Ravens went 14-2 and quarterback Lamar Jackson was the unanimous NFL MVP.

Two games in Week 17 decided the top seed in the NFC, as the 49ers got some help from a division rival in clinching the playoff bye. San Francisco defeated the Commanders in Washington, and, thanks to a stunning Cardinals upset win over the Eagles, were able to secure the No. 1 seed.

Which teams are in the NFL playoffs this year?

After Week 17 of the 2023 season, the following teams have clinched a playoff spot, though for many teams, their current seeding is subject to change pending certain Week 18 results.

AFC:

  • Baltimore Ravens (No. 1)*

  • Miami Dolphins (No. 2)

  • Kansas City Chiefs (No. 3)*

  • Cleveland Browns (No. 5)*

NFC:

  • San Francisco 49ers (No. 1)*

  • Dallas Cowboys (No. 2)

  • Detroit Lions (No. 3)

  • Philadelphia Eagles (No. 5)

  • Los Angeles Rams (No. 6)

(*) denotes teams locked into their current seed

NFL conference standings

As of the end of Week 17, here's how things stack up in both conferences, including each team's percentage chance to make the playoffs (if they haven't already clinched a spot) according to NFL.com. This list excludes the teams already eliminated from postseason contention.

AFC:

  1. Baltimore Ravens

  2. Miami Dolphins

  3. Kansas City Chiefs

  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (77%)

  5. Cleveland Browns

  6. Buffalo Bills (94%)

  7. Indianapolis Colts (54%)

  8. Houston Texans (46%)

  9. Pittsburgh Steelers (29%)

NFC:

  1. San Francisco 49ers

  2. Dallas Cowboys

  3. Detroit Lions

  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (69%)

  5. Philadelphia Eagles

  6. Los Angeles Rams

  7. Green Bay Packers (60%)

  8. Seattle Seahawks (26%)

  9. New Orleans Saints (31%)

  10. Minnesota Vikings (3%)

  11. Atlanta Falcons (10%)

2023-24 NFL playoffs bracket

Here's what the NFL playoff bracket would look like using current standings.

AFC:

  • No. 1 Baltimore Ravens (bye)

  • No. 2 Miami Dolphins vs. No. 7 Indianapolis Colts

  • No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs vs. No. 6 Buffalo Bills

  • No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars vs. No. 5 Cleveland Browns

NFC:

  • No. 1 San Francisco 49ers (bye)

  • No. 2 Dallas Cowboys vs. No. 7 Green Bay Packers

  • No. 3 Detroit Lions vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Rams

  • No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles

These matchups are still pending several results. Outside of the wild card spots still up for grabs, the NFC South, NFC East, AFC South and AFC East titles are still undecided entering Week 18.

2023-24 NFL playoffs schedule

No matchups are set, but the time slots are. The NFL will fill each slot as the playoff picture comes into focus. All times Eastern.

Wild Card Weekend

Saturday, Jan. 13: 4:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on NBC/Peacock.

Sunday, Jan. 14: 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8:15 p.m. CBS or FOX will broadcast the first two games. NBC will broadcast the night game.

Monday, Jan 15: 8:15 p.m. on ESPN/ABC.

Divisional round

All times TBA.

Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21 will each feature one NFC divisional matchup and one AFC divisional matchup.

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 28:

  • AFC championship game: 3 p.m. on CBS

  • NFC championship game: 6:30 p.m. on FOX

Super Bowl 58

Following a bye week for both Super Bowl teams, Super Bowl 58 will kickoff on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. on CBS.

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How does the NFL Playoffs' dynamic bracket work?

The NFL playoffs are dynamic, meaning the bracket changes as the playoffs progress. Every round, the highest seeds remaining are guaranteed a home-field advantage.

After the wild-card round, the Ravens and 49ers will play the lowest seed remaining in their conference, whether it's the No. 4 seed, the No. 7 seed or anything in between. The second-highest seed remaining would play the second-lowest seed remaining.

If either the Ravens or 49ers fall in a divisional round upset, the highest seed remaining below them – not necessarily the team that beat them – would get home-field advantage in their conference championship game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2023-24 NFL playoffs: Bracket, standings, schedule and more