PITTSBURGH – (Wire Service Report) – The Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are starting the playoffs one week early.
At least that’s the mindset shared by Broncos coach Sean Payton with Denver (13-3) in line to secure the No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage in the AFC by beating the Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) on Sunday.
Week 18 shapes up as a maze for many teams assured only a spot — but not their current seeding — in the postseason bracket.
The Seahawks and 49ers settle the NFC West in a Saturday night game that also decides the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Two other division titles — and playoff spots — are up for grabs in the regular-season finale. The Buccaneers and Panthers play for the second time in three weeks for the NFC South crown in which the eliminated Atlanta Falcons are suddenly a significant factor.
Because of Atlanta’s win over the Rams on Monday night, the Buccaneers now face a two-tiered clinching scenario.
Even if the Buccaneers win Saturday, they would still need the Falcons (7-9) to lose at home to the New Orleans Saints (6-10).
And if the Panthers lose, but Atlanta beats the Saints, Carolina would win the division. Wins by the Bucs and Falcons would create a three-way tie with the Panthers at 8-9. But Carolina would win the first tiebreaker by virtue of their head-to-head record (currently 2-0 vs. Falcons, 1-0 vs. Buccaneers).
AFC North rivals Baltimore and Pittsburgh drop the gloves in primetime Sunday for the final spot in the playoff field.
If the Broncos stumble against the Chargers, a Denver loss kicks the door open for the New England Patriots to jump to the front of the pack in the AFC. The Patriots host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Should Denver and New England lose, the Jacksonville Jaguars could claim the top seed with a home win Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
Here’s a look at the current playoff picture by conference:
Clinched AFC playoff and/or division:
Denver Broncos (13-3) — AFC West
New England Patriots (13-3) — AFC East
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) — playoff berth
Buffalo Bills (11-5) — playoff berth
Houston Texans (11-5) — playoff berth
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5) — playoff berth
Clinch AFC playoff and division with win Sunday:
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Baltimore Ravens (8-8)