We’ve arrived at the final week of the regular season, where playoff spots will be clinched, teams will be eliminated and players will fight for bonuses.
Seventeen weeks have flown by, and we are once again at the end of an NFL season. But we are about to get one of the best final weeks in recent memory because 11 teams have a chance to clinch a playoff spot with just five spots remaining.
Ten games on the slate could potentially affect who makes the playoffs, and some teams could have an easier path with players sitting out to stay healthy for the playoffs.
Some players have contract incentives on the line.
Let’s take a look at the biggest matchups of the weekend.Games with playoff implications
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
For the Steelers it’s simple. They need a win and one of the following to happen: Bills loss, Jaguars loss or tie or a Colts-Texas tie. They’re not eliminated with a loss or tie, but it’s rather wonky.
But they are getting a bit of a gift. Since the Ravens have already clinched the No. 1 seed, likely league MVP Lamar Jackson will not play.
Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, 8:15 p.m.
This one is pretty simple: Win and in, lose and out.
A Jacksonville loss or tie gives the winner of this game the AFC South crown.
If this game ends in a tie, though, all hell breaks loose in the AFC.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Jags are division champs with a win. But if they lose, they will need a lot of help to make the playoffs as a seventh seed. They would need losses by Pittsburgh and Denver and for the Colts-Texans game not be a tie.
Trevor Lawrence remains questionable.
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Neither team can make the playoffs solely by winning this game. They both need help, but whoever loses is out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Bucs win the NFC South with a win over the lowly Panthers, who don’t even have their first-round pick next season, which will likely be No. 1 overall.
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 1 p.m.
The Packers control their own destiny.
