Rain and wind loom over Saturday night’s winner-take-all showdown, with playoff seeding, key injuries and the conference’s No. 1 spot on the line at Levi’s Stadium.

The Panthers have two potential paths to an NFC South title and the No. 4 seed. The first is a simple road win over the Buccaneers. The second involves losing that game but having Atlanta beat New Orleans, which would set up a three-team tie that the Panthers would take.

Though Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears fell out of the running for the No. 1 seed in the NFC last week, they still have plenty on the line before the playoffs begin. A milestone for the quarterback and a stronger postseason position for the team are at stake.

The 49ers surged to the NFC's top seed in 2023 when they finished 12-5 and won the NFC West division. Including that year, each of the previous two times the Niners had the No. 1 seed under Shanahan they've advanced to the Super Bowl. -- Wagoner

The NFC is incredibly crowded - and while the conference is wide-open, there are plenty of good teams vying for the top seed. The question is, who will that team be, and are they good enough to take advantage of the home games they will receive?

NFL playoff clinching scenarios, seeding scenarios, No. 1 seed scenarios, division title scenarios for NFL postseason entering NFL Week 18 games.

The final week of the 2025 NFL season kicks off Saturday with a double-header featuring high stakes match-ups.

Colin Cowherd unveils his Week 18 Blazin' 5, including whether the Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers will win the NFC West and if the Pittsburgh Steelers will pull off an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North crown.

The Atlanta Falcons enter Week 18 with a lot to gain and lose heading into 2026, depending on what else happens in the NFC South.