The final week of the NFL season delivered plenty of drama, with playoff spots decided in the last moments for some teams. The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the AFC North in thrilling fashion when Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal on the final play, giving Pittsburgh a 26-24 win. Meanwhile, the NFC South had its first surprise in a decade as the Carolina Panthers won the division after the Falcons beat the Saints, creating a three-way tie.
Other divisions wrapped up more predictably. The Jacksonville Jaguars dominated the Titans to win the AFC South, while the Seattle Seahawks claimed the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC after a strong win over the 49ers. The Denver Broncos secured the top seed in the AFC with a 19-3 win over the Chargers, earning a first-round bye, while the AFC and NFC second seeds went to the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears, respectively.
The full wild card matchups are now set:
- AFC: Bills at Jaguars, Chargers at Patriots, Texans at Steelers (Broncos get a bye).
- NFC: Rams at Panthers, Packers at Bears, 49ers at Eagles (Seahawks get a bye).
With the brackets finalized, fans can look forward to an exciting postseason full of intense matchups, upsets, and unforgettable moments as teams chase the Super Bowl.
