The Path to the Playoffs

Raiders, Steelers & 49ers Secure Last 3 Playoff Spots With 3 Overtime Wins

Three overtime games and a stunner in the AFC South solidified the last three playoff spots. In Sunday’s playoff-scenario matchups, the Colts were stunned by the Jaguars (26-11). That loss bumped Indy from the would-be 6-seed to elimination. And it was a double-win for the Jags, who still finished with the worst record (3-14) and solidified the No. 1 pick in the draft. Here’s how the last three playoff teams got in:

49ers def. Rams (27-24, OT)

San Francisco snuck into the playoffs with an overtime field goal to beat the Rams. QB Jimmy Garoppolo (23-32, 316 yards, 1 TD) was efficient in the must-win. The 49ers jumped the Eagles for the 6-seed.

Steelers def. Ravens (16-13, OT)

Another overtime thriller decided the wild card who took the place of the Colts. Pittsburgh edged out Baltimore with an OT field goal despite a monster day from Ravens RB Latavius Murray (16 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD). The Steelers secured the 7-seed.\

Raiders def. Chargers (35-32, OT)

An unreal scene in Las Vegas featured a 15-point comeback by the Chargers in the final five minutes to force overtime. Countless 4th-down conversions by L.A. led to a game-tying touchdown as time expired. In OT, both teams hit field goals before the Raiders were faced with a decision — to take a knee and let both teams in or go for the game-winning field goal. They kicked it, and Daniel Carlson’s 47-yard kick was pure. Raiders in. Chargers out. Steelers in.

NFL Playoff Picture

NFC

1. Packers (13-4)*

2. Buccaneers (13-4)

3. Cowboys (12-5)

4. Rams (12-5)

5. Cardinals (11-6)

6. 49ers (10-7)

7. Eagles (9-8)

AFC

1. Titans (12-5)*

2. Chiefs (12-5)

3. Bills (11-6)

4. Bengals (10-7)

5. Patriots (10-7)

6. Raiders (10-7)

7. Steelers (9-7-1)

*1 Seeds Receive 1st-Round Bye

1st-Round Matchups: 2-vs-7, 3-vs-6, 4-vs-5

All Week 18 Scores & Highlights

Browns def. Bengals (21-16) | Lions def. Packers (37-30) | Vikings def. Bears (31-17) | Washington def. Giants (22-7) | Jaguars def. Colts (26-11) | Steelers def. Ravens (16-13, OT) | Titans def. Texans (28-25) | Saints def. Falcons (30-20) | Bills def. Jets (27-10) | 49ers def. Rams (27-24, OT) | Dolphins def. Patriots (33-24) | Seahawks def. Cardinals (38-30) | Buccaneers def. Panthers (41-17) | Chiefs def. Broncos (28-24) | Cowboys def. Eagles (51-26) | Raiders def. Chargers (35-32, OT)

Black Monday: Coaches on the Hot Seat

The first day after the regular season always sees multiple head coaches fired. We’ve already seen Jon Gruden (Raiders) and Urban Meyer (Jaguars) ousted this season, and Vic Fangio (Broncos) was terminated yesterday. Expect at least three or four more exits today, potentially including Matt Nagy (Bears), Pete Carroll (Seahawks), Joe Judge (Giants) and Mike Zimmer (Vikings).

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: NFL Releases 1st-Round Schedule for 2022 Playoffs

ESPN: NFL Playoffs Preview: Schedule, Bracket, Super Bowl Chances for Teams

SI: Week 18 Takeaways: Jimmy G’s Niners Save Their Season, Jags Ruin Colts, Steelers, Somehow, Live

CFB