It’s Week 18 of the NFL season, which means there’s only one weekend left before postseason action begins.

The two-time defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes once again appear to be formidable opponents and have already secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC rankings with a record of 15-1.

Over in the NFC, a crucial game awaits when the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) take on the Detroit Lions (13-2) on Sunday in a game that will decide the division winner, the conference’s No. 1 seed and the No. 1 seed The conference decides home advantage until the Super Bowl.

Here are a few other things to keep an eye on as the regular season ends:

NFL playoff image

AFC

Six of the seven places in the playoff round are secured, although in some situations the seeding is still open. The Chiefs are the top seed, while the Buffalo Bills (13-3) hold the second spot. The Baltimore Ravens (11-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6), Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) and Houston Texans (9-7) also know they still have more football to play. The Ravens can secure third place in the table with a win over the Browns. The Texans are in fourth place despite having a worse record than some other teams because they won their division.

As for the seventh team, the Denver Broncos (9-7) are in a good position, although the Miami Dolphins (8-8) and Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) still have hope. The problem for the Dolphins and Bengals is that the Broncos can clinch the final spot with a win against Kansas City this weekend, and there isn’t much incentive for the Chiefs to play their starters considering they already have have placed number 1.

NFC

Similar to the AFC, six of the seven places are taken. The Vikings, Lions, Philadelphia Eagles (13-3), Green Bay Packers (11-5), Los Angeles Rams (10-6) and Washington Commanders (11-5) will be in the bracket. Minnesota and Detroit will battle for the No. 1 seed next Sunday, with the loser dropping all the way to No. 5. The Eagles secured second place.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) have the edge for the final spot and need a win over the New Orleans Saints this weekend to secure their spot. If they lose, the Atlanta Falcons (8-8) could still sneak into the bracket if they beat the Carolina Panthers.

NFL playoff format

The 14-team group is entering its fifth season after debuting in the 2020 season. Seven teams from the AFC and NFC advance to the postseason.

The four division winners from each conference receive the top four spots, ranked based on their record. The final three teams are all wild card selections, also ranked by record.

The format means that the No. 1 seed in each conference is very important, as it guarantees a wild-card bye and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. For the other 12 teams in the opening round, the No. 7 seed moves to the No. 2 seed, the No. 6 seed moves to the No. 3 seed, and the No. 5 seed moves to the No. 4 seed.

NFL playoff schedule

11th–13th January: Wild Card Round. Two games on Saturday, three on Sunday, one on Monday.

18th-19th January: Divisional round. Two games on Saturday, two on Sunday.

January 26: AFC and NFC conference championships.

February 9: Super Bowl LIX at the Superdome in New Orleans.

NFL playoff betting odds

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Chiefs are the favorites to win the Super Bowl at +375. The Lions are right behind at +400, while the Bills are third at +550.

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