Canterbury-Bankstown can still theoretically make a miraculous finals appearance while the minor premiership is officially a three-team race with three rounds to go.
Having won five from their past seven, the Bulldogs' shock upset over South Sydney on Saturday means they're an outside chance to finish in the top eight if they keep winning and a plethora of results fall their way.
Meanwhile, ladder-leading Melbourne's last-start loss to the Raiders gives Canberra and the Roosters hope of snatching the JJ Giltinan Shield.
The stats experts at NRL.com have mined through data to calculate the best and worst regular-season finishing positions for every club, taking into account a smorgasbord of potential outcomes and points-differential totals.
Brisbane Broncos (currently 7th, 23 points)
Best finish: 4th
Worst finish: 13th
Run home: Rabbitohs, Eels, Bulldogs
A fourth-place finish requires Brisbane to win their last three matches and pray results help them out. The one point they earned from a bye with the Warriors shapes as a big advantage with the ladder congestion.
Anthony Seibold's men could fall as low as 13th if they fail to net any more points this year, however, highlighting the competitiveness of the Telstra Premiership.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (13th, 18 points)
Best finish: 7th
Worst finish: 15th
Run home: Eels, Cowboys, Broncos
Canterbury can remarkably make the finals on 24 points if they double their unexpected three-match winning streak and all other results go to plan.
Differential will become key in the event other teams finish on 24, though, so Dean Pay's team best record some cricket scores to better their negative figure.
North Queensland Cowboys (15th, 16 points)
Best finish: 9th
Worst finish: 16th
Run home: Panthers, Bulldogs, Storm
Finals are out of the equation for the Cowboys but the wooden spoon is a danger.
If they lose their remaining matches and the Titans go on a three-match winning run (assuming the Dragons win or draw at least one game), the unwanted kitchen utensil will be awarded to whoever has the worse differential.
St George Illawarra Dragons (14th, 16 points)
Best finish: 9th
Worst finish: 16th
Run home: Roosters, Wests Tigers, Titans
The Dragons' situation mirrors that of North Queensland.
In the event St George Illawarra are flogged in the upcoming two matches and Gold Coast win theirs comfortably, the round 25 clash between the clubs could be a battle to avoid last place.
Parramatta Eels (6th, 28 points)
Best finish: 2nd
Worst finish: 9th
Run home: Bulldogs, Broncos, Sea Eagles
One more win will ensure Parramatta's return to the finals.
Though unlikely, three heavy consecutive defeats could push the Eels from the top eight if two of Cronulla, Penrith and Brisbane win from here on out.
Newcastle Knights (10th, 20 points)
Best finish: 7th
Worst finish: 15th
Run home: Wests Tigers, Titans, Panthers
Last round's crushing victory over North Queensland keeps the Knights in the finals picture.
Clashes against fellow finals aspirants Wests Tigers and Penrith may decide their fate.
Every try from Round 22
Penrith Panthers (9th, 22 points)
Best finish: 5th
Worst finish: 15th
Run home: Cowboys, Roosters, Knights
Piling on the tries could prove crucial for Penrith, who are even with the Sharks on 22 points right now but sit behind them because of a shoddy differential.
Ivan Cleary's troops can climb to the edge of the top four or slide to the doldrums depending on the next few weeks.
South Sydney Rabbitohs (5th, 28 points)
Best finish: 2nd
Worst finish: 9th
Run home: Broncos, Warriors, Roosters
After three consecutive losses, coach Wayne Bennett admitted the Rabbitohs' situation is "not terminal yet but it's getting close".
Time will tell whether the team can recapture their best form to finish as high as second or potentially bomb out of the eight altogether.
Bennett: Our football is not at it's best
Canberra Raiders (3rd, 30 points)
Best finish: 1st
Worst finish: 6th
Run home: Sea Eagles, Sharks, Warriors
A finals berth assured, the Raiders can take out the minor premiership if Melbourne don't win again and the Roosters fail to surpass 36 points.
Differential is key for that to occur, though, so Canberra must demolish Manly, the Sharks and Warriors and hope the Storm and Roosters cop some hidings.
Sydney Roosters (2nd, 32 points)
Best finish: 1st
Worst finish: 6th
Run home: Dragons, Panthers, Rabbitohs
The pressure's on the Storm, with the Roosters still able to claim the outright first spot if Melbourne go winless.
Another victory should lock down a top-four spot at the least for the Chooks.
Manly Sea Eagles (4th, 28 points)
Best finish: 2nd
Worst finish: 9th
Run home: Raiders, Storm, Eels
Having broken into the top four by smashing Wests Tigers last round, the Sea Eagles can ascend to second if the Roosters and Raiders falter.
There's a small possibility of missing the finals if the Sea Eagles lose three on the bounce - not as far-fetched as it might seem with a difficult run home.
Cronulla Sharks (8th, 22 points)
Best finish: 5th
Worst finish: 15th
Run home: Warriors, Raiders, Wests Tigers
Sitting eighth on differential heading into round 23, Cronulla are in control of their own destiny.
A rocks and diamonds campaign could turn into a major disappointment with a 15th-place finish in the realm of possibility.
Woods: He's one of the best leaders I've played with
Melbourne Storm (1st, 36 points)
Best finish: 1st
Worst finish: 3rd
Run home: Titans, Sea Eagles, Cowboys
A fifth straight top-four finish is already confirmed for Melbourne having lost just four games all year.
The only question now is whether they can hold on for the minor premiership.
Gold Coast Titans (16th, 10 points)
Best finish: 14th
Worst finish: 16th
Run home: Storm, Knights, Dragons
Gold Coast's lone shot at avoiding the dreaded wooden spoon is to win three matches by a convincing margin and have either the Dragons and Cowboys drop three.
An upcoming match against the Storm doesn't bode well for the struggling side.
Arthars gets his first try in the NRL
New Zealand Warriors (12th, 19 points)
Best finish: 7th
Worst finish: 15th
Run home: Sharks, Rabbitohs, Raiders
A tough draw awaits the Warriors but they can force their way into the finals if they rise to the occasion.
Their one point from a rare draw with the Broncos in round 17 could come in very handy.
Wests Tigers (11th, 20 points)
Best finish: 7th
Worst finish: 15th
Run home: Knights, Dragons, Sharks
An unfortunate injury toll is working against them but the Tigers' season isn't done yet.
The final round match with the Sharks may decide the top eight's make-up.
