The 2024 NFL regular season is officially in the books, and the AFC playoff race has come to a dramatic conclusion. With Week 18 in the rearview, the final playoff standings are locked in, and the stage is set for the Wild Card matchups. Here’s how the final AFC standings look, with all the key clinches and implications for the postseason.
AFC Playoff Standings:
Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)
Buffalo Bills (13-4)
Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
Houston Texans (10-7)
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
Denver Broncos (10-7)
Eliminated:
Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
Miami Dolphins (8-9)
Key Week 18 Takeaways:
Ravens Clinch AFC North Title & No. 3 Seed
The Baltimore Ravens dominated the Cleveland Browns to clinch both the AFC North and the No. 3 seed. Their win secured them a crucial spot in the playoff picture, and they’ll now face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a highly anticipated Wild Card matchup.
Broncos Blank Chiefs to Clinch Final Playoff Spot
In one of the most surprising results of the weekend, the Denver Broncos shut out the Kansas City Chiefs in a 38-0 win, clinching the final playoff spot in the AFC. With their victory, the Broncos secured the No. 7 seed and will now travel to Buffalo to face the Bills in the first round.
Chargers and Steelers Secure Wild Card Spots
The Los Angeles Chargers took care of business against the Las Vegas Raiders, securing the No. 5 seed. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers earned their playoff berth by defeating the Cincinnati Bengals, setting up a showdown with the Ravens in the Wild Card round.
Titans’ Loss Guarantees No. 1 Draft Pick for 2025
The Tennessee Titans’ loss to the Houston Texans in Week 18 not only sealed the Texans’ playoff berth but also guaranteed the Titans the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texans’ win also secured them the No. 4 seed, where they will host the Chargers in the Wild Card round. Tennessee's loss also means that KC will recieve the 66th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 nfl draft courtesy of the L'Jarious Sneed trade.
Playoff Picture: What to Expect
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs, with their impressive 15-2 record, earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a much-needed first-round bye. Kansas City will watch the Wild Card round unfold from the sidelines, waiting to see which lower-seeded team will face them in the Divisional Round. With a healthy roster and a proven track record, the Chiefs are favored to make another deep playoff run, with their eyes set on a third consecutive AFC Championship.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills, securing the No. 2 seed with a 13-4 record, will host the No. 7-seeded Denver Broncos in the first round. While the Bills enter the playoffs as a strong contender, they’ll need to prove that they can perform under pressure in the postseason, especially with their history of falling short in recent years.
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens clinched the AFC North and the No. 3 seed, setting up a Wild Card clash with the No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers. Baltimore’s defense has been dominant, and with Lamar Jackson at the helm, they’ll look to capitalize on their strong all-around game to make a playoff run.
Houston Texans: The Texans made it into the playoffs with a 10-7 record, earning the No. 4 seed. They’ll face the No. 5 seed Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round. Led by sophomore quarterback CJ Stroud, the Texans are one of the underdogs of the postseason, but with their balanced offence and stout defensive line, they could surprise.
Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers earned the No. 5 seed and will head to Houston to face the Texans in the first round. With Justin Herbert leading a banged up offense, the Chargers have the potential to go far, but their defense and skill position play will be the key to their success.
Pittsburgh Steelers: After securing a spot in the playoffs, the Steelers now face the challenge of taking on the Ravens in the Wild Card round. Pittsburgh’s defense is its strongest asset, and they’ll need it to step up if they hope to survive against the Ravens’ balanced attack.
Denver Broncos: The Broncos clinched the final playoff spot with their dominant victory over the Chiefs. They’ll now travel to Buffalo to face the second-seeded Bills. While Denver has been inconsistent this season, their defense is one of the league’s best, and they’ll need it to stymie the Bills' explosive offense if they hope to pull off an upset.
Looking Ahead:
With the AFC playoff bracket officially set, the Wild Card matchups are sure to bring plenty of excitement. The Chiefs will be waiting to see which team comes through their bracket, but they’ve certainly set themselves up for a deep postseason run. However, with the Bills and Ravens looking dangerous, the road to the Super Bowl is going to be tough.
For the Broncos, Steelers, and the other lower-seeded teams, it’s all about proving themselves on the big stage. With the top seed in the conference, Kansas City may be the favorite, but don’t count out the surprises the Wild Card round often brings. It’s time for the postseason, and it’s wide open.
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