The NFL Playoff picture is perfectly in focus after an exciting final week of action.

There were some positions already set in stone, but some matches affected positioning and eventual matchups. The main NFC action involved the defending NFC Champions Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, who were in a battle for the top of the NFC East. The winner of the division would play seventh place, while the team in second would fall to fifth and play sixth-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A lot of teams already bound for the post-season took Week-18 to rest stars, to preserve health for post-season. The Baltimore Ravens rested star quarterback Lamar Jackson and defending champions Kansas City Chiefs rested their MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as well as superstar tight end Travis Kelce and star running back Isiah Pacheco.  

However, with the division on the line, both the Eagles and the Cowboys were at full strength against their respective opponents. Quarterback Dak Prescott connected for four touchdowns on the day as the Boys routed the Washington Commanders 38-10.

The Eagles were uncharacteristically out of sorts against a team that should have been an easy dispatch for the Birds. The Giants had a commanding 24-0 lead at halftime, with the Eagles having no offensive rhythm and unable to get defensive stops. The head coach would eventually sub backup quarterback into the game and Marcus Mariota was able to help Philly score 10 points, albeit belatedly.  

This result meant that the Eagles were second in the division with the Cowboys topping it and locking in the second seed in the conference. Eagles now have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Cowboys will play host to the Green Bay Packers.  

The major AFC matchup for the week was in primetime between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Both teams were already guaranteed a playoff berth but the winner would take the division and get a home game in the wild card round.

After a promising start for Miami, Deonte Harty had a 96-yard punt return for a touchdown that tied the game for the Bills and the Dolphins were never the same. The Bills went on to score another touchdown, while limiting the depleted Miami offence. The Bills overcame early struggles on offence, with two Josh Allen interceptions in back-to-back possessions in the first quarter. However, the Bills would win 21-14 and seal up the AFC East for the fourth year in a row. The Bills will have the Pittsburg Steelers at home while the Dolphins will now have to take on the Chiefs at Arrowhead.  

With the places set, both No.1 seeds, the Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers will have a bye week and await the winners of the matchup between the fourth and fifth place teams. They will also have the benefit of home-field advantage the entire way through the post-season.  

The Wild Card weekend kicks off on Saturday, January 13, with the AFC, as the Houston Texans will take on the Cleveland Browns while the Chiefs’ matchup against Miami will also kick-off on Saturday. The round ends in primetime Sunday, January 14 with the Eagles versus Tampa Bay.