As the regular season winds down, playoff talk has begun to heat up, and Week 16 in the NFL has several teams staring down an opportunity to punch their ticket to the post-season.
The Los Angeles Rams and the Denver Broncos have already clinched their playoff spots, but there’s still a lot to play for. Denver can also secure the AFC West, the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and the league’s lone first-round bye this weekend, while teams including the Bills, Patriots, Jaguars and Chargers all have paths to book their places in the post-season.
The NFC conversation is no different. With the Eagles claiming another division title and the Bears earning an overtime win over the Packers, the 49ers and Seahawks have an opportunity to make the playoffs.
Here are the Week 16 clinching scenarios:
AFC
Denver Broncos (clinched playoff berth)
Clinches AFC West and No. 1 seed with:
Broncos win + Chargers loss or tie + Patriots loss + Bills loss or tie
Clinches AFC West with:
Broncos win + Chargers loss or tie OR
Broncos tie + Chargers loss
Buffalo Bills
Clinch playoff berth with:
Bills win + Colts loss or tie OR
Bills win + Texans loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Colts loss OR
Bills tie + Texans loss
New England Patriots
Clinch playoff berth with:
Patriots win or tie OR
Colts loss or tie OR
Texans loss or tie
Jacksonville Jaguars
Clinch playoff berth with:
Jaguars win + Colts loss or tie OR
Jaguars win + Texans loss or tie OR
Jaguars tie + Colts loss OR
Jaguars tie + Colts tie + Texans loss
Los Angeles Chargers
Clinch playoff berth with:
Chargers win + Colts loss or tie OR
Chargers win + Texans loss or tie OR
Chargers tie + Colts loss OR
Chargers tie + Colts tie + Texans loss
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles clinched the NFC East following their 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders, which also eliminated the Dallas Cowboys from the playoffs.
Chicago Bears
With their overtime win over the Packers, the Bears can clinch a playoff berth with a Lions loss or tie against the Steelers.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay was unable to secure a playoff berth and will have to hope that the Lions lose to maintain their position as the last wild-card team in the NFC.
San Francisco 49ers
Clinch playoff berth with:
49ers win OR
Lions loss OR
49ers tie + Lions tie
Seattle Seahawks
Clinch playoff berth with:
Seahawks win or tie OR
Lions loss or tie
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