NFL playoff scenarios: Which teams can clinch berths in Week 16?

NFL playoff scenarios: Which teams can clinch berths in Week 16?

December 22, 2024

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One more AFC playoff opening has already been claimed in Week 16. By the end of Sunday, the conference’s field could be fully locked in.

The Baltimore Ravens sealed their spot on Saturday with a 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos might not be far behind, but each will need help from multiple teams to clinch after their Thursday showdown. Meanwhile, the NFC also has a couple other teams who can wrap up berths in the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders, but tight division races in the NFC West and South will extend at least another week.

Here are the NFL playoff clinching scenarios for Week 16:

  • Clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:

Denver Broncos

  • Clinch playoff berth with:
    • Dolphins loss or tie + Bengals loss or tie + Colts loss or tie

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Clinch playoff berth with:
    • Dolphins loss or tie + Colts loss or tie
  • Clinch NFC East title with:

Green Bay Packers

  • Clinch playoff berth with:
    • Packers win or tie
    • Falcons loss or tie + Rams loss or tie
    • Falcons loss or tie + Seahawks loss or tie

Washington Commanders

  • Clinch playoff berth with:
    • Commanders win + Falcons loss or tie + Rams loss or tie
    • Commanders win + Falcons loss or tie + Seahawks loss or tie
    • Commanders tie + Falcons loss + Cardinals loss or tie + Rams loss or tie + Seahawks loss or tie + (as long as Rams and Seahawks both don’t tie)