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16 teams in the NFL playoff mix, 16 potential downfalls: Let's find each roster's fatal flaw

We found fatal flaws for all 12 clinched teams in the playoff field, plus the AFC North and NFC South teams trying to join them entering Week 18.

6hAaron Schatz
Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NFL playoff schedule, projected bracket: Here's what to know in both conferences

The playoffs begin on Jan. 10 with three full rounds before Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8.

22hESPN Staff

TOP HEADLINES

COACH INTEL

What we're hearing on the NFL coaching carousel: Latest buzz on top candidates, potential openings

Which teams will make coaching changes? Could Jeff Hafley or Chris Shula land an open job? Here's our coach movement intel ahead of Week 18.

2hJeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano
Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

HOW THEY STACK UP

Power Rankings: New 1-32 poll, plus what we learned about each team this season

Let's update our NFL Power Rankings one more time ahead of Week 18.

1dNFL Nation
ESPN

TALKING FOOTBALL

Mad Dog gets heated at Schrager, Swagu when defending Aaron Rodgers

56m
2:25

Jason McCourty: Packers must score fast to make a playoff run

3h
1:03

NFL NATION

How Zach Allen's QB hits from the interior have sparked the Broncos' pass rush: 'He closes the door'

Allen's ability to squeeze the pocket from the interior and hit the QB helped earn him his first Pro Bowl selection. Can he continue dominating into the playoffs?

6hJeff Legwold
Jack Dempsey/AP

Lions not just playing out string in finale at Bears

6hEric Woodyard

Will the Chargers' offensive line issues stifle them in the playoffs?

6hKris Rhim

Will Kyler Murray return? That's one of the Cardinals' key questions

1dJosh Weinfuss

Will 2026 free agent Jadeveon Clowney be back with Cowboys?

1dTodd Archer

NFL DRAFT

NFL Week 18 scenarios for No. 1 pick in 2026 draft

The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft is still up for grabs. Here's how the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants can each secure it.

1hESPN
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

STRICT DRESS CODE

Why NFL uniform rules have players feeling like a 'mannequin'

While NBA players rock sneakers of various colors, the NFL has strict rules, and violators can incur hefty fines.

1dStephen Holder
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

FIRST-YEAR STARS

Our 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team: We picked standout first-years at every single position

We know Carson Schwesinger makes the list at LB, but is Cam Ward or Tyler Shough the QB1? Let's build first- and second-team NFL All-Rookie rosters.

1dBen Solak
Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire

Why McElroy thinks Giants should consider drafting a QB

1d
1:19

FANTASY FOOTBALL

Puka Nacua delivers more 2025 fantasy football championships than any other player

The final "MNF" of the season featured two of the top three players rostered by 2025 fantasy football champions.

1dTristan H. Cockcroft
Steph Chambers/Getty Images

Free agent pickups: Look to Saints, Titans amid Week 18 uncertainty

All the free agent options worth adding as we dive into Week 18, the final week of the fantasy football season.

2dEric Karabell

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NFL Playoff Machine

  • Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports

  • Simulate playoff matchups

    Predict playoff pairings by selecting the winners of the remaining regular-season games to generate potential scenarios.

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