NFL Week 16 playoff-clinching scenarios: Who can lock up spots this week

Heading into Week 16, there had only been two playoff spots clinched around that NFL, but that number has already doubled after the league’s set of games that took place on Thursday and Saturday. 

The Seattle Seahawks became the third team to punch their ticket and that happened on Thursday night following their wild 38-37 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Philadelphia Eagles are also headed to the playoffs after clinching the NFC East with a Saturday win over the Commanders. The Eagles are the first team to clinch a division title this year. 

The Seahawks and Eagles join the Broncos and Rams, who both clinched a playoff spot in Week 15. Although no one has clinched any specific seed yet, that could change this week becauase the Broncos actually have a path to clinch the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC this week, but there’s only one scenario where that could happen: 

DEN win + LAC loss or tie + NE loss + BUF loss or tie

The Broncos are playing the Jaguars while the Chargers will be facing the Cowboys in Dallas. As for the Patriots, they’ll be traveling to Baltimore for a Sunday night game and the Bills will be facing the Browns in Cleveland. Even if those four things don’t go Denver’s way, the Broncos can still clinch the AFC West title in Week 16 if one of the two following scenarios happens: 

DEN win + LAC loss or tie ORDEN tie + LAC loss

If the Broncos clinch the AFC West, it would mark their first division title since 2015, which was a big year for the organization, because that’s the last time it won the Super Bowl. 

Now, let’s take a look at the teams that could clinch a spot in Week 16. 

Buffalo Bills (10-4)

The Bills have been to the playoffs for six straight years and they can make it seven if one of the following scenarios happens this weekend: 

BUF win + IND loss or tie ORBUF win + HOU loss or tie ORBUF tie + IND loss ORBUF tie + HOU loss

Either the Colts or Texans will have a say in whether the Bills get in this week. The Texans are hosting the Raiders on Sunday while the Colts will be playing on Monday against the 49ers. 

New England Patriots (11-3)

The Patriots can’t clinch the AFC East this week, but they can clinch a playoff berth and for that to happen, all they have to do is beat the Ravens on Sunday night. 

NE win or tie ORIND loss or tie ORHOU loss or tie

If the Patriots lose to the Ravens and the Texans beat the Raiders, New England will still be able to clinch a spot if the 49ers beat the Colts on Monday night. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)

The Jaguars are traveling to Denver this week and there’s a chance that they could clinch a playoff spot for the second time over the past seven years. Let’s take a look at their playoff scenarios: 

JAX win + IND loss or tie ORJAX win + HOU loss or tie ORJAX tie + IND loss ORJAX tie + IND tie + HOU loss

Since a tie probably isn’t going to happen, the Jags’ best bet is a win over the Broncos combined with a Colts loss to the 49ers. 

Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) 

The Chargers are another team that can get in with a win combined with a Colts loss to San Francisco. Let’s check out all of the Chargers playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 16. 

LAC win + IND loss or tie ORLAC win + HOU loss or tie ORLAC tie + IND loss ORLAC tie + IND tie + HOU loss

To even have a shot to clinch a spot, the Chargers will have to beat the Cowboys on the road this week. 

Now let’s move on to the NFC, where there are five teams that could clinch.

The Bears took one step closer to the postseason with their wild win over the Packers on Saturday, but they’re not quite in yet. If Chicago wants to make the playoffs this week, they’re going to need to get some help from a bitter enemy: Aaron Rodgers. Here’s how the Bears can get in: 

DET loss to PIT

The Lions are facing the Steelers, which is why the Bears’ will be rooting for their old arch nemesis. 

San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

The 49ers have quietly put together a strong season and they can clinch a playoff spot by winning on Monday against the Colts. 

SF win ORDET loss ORSF tie + DET tie

Of course, the 49ers could clinch before Monday night if the Lions lose to the Steelers. 

NOTE: The Packers can NO LONGER clinch a playoff spot in Week 16. They had two scenarios where they could have clinched this week, but they had to either beat the Bears or tie the Bears on Saturday. Instead, the Packers ended up losing, which means Green Bay will now have to wait until Week 17 at the earliest to possibly clinch a playoff spot. 

Let’s take a look at who’s in and who’s out so far: 

1. *Seahawks (12-3) — NFC West leader
2. Bears (11-4) — NFC North leader
3. *Eagles (9105) — NFC East leader 
4. Buccaneers (7-7) — NFC South leader
5. *Rams (11-4)
6. 49ers (10-4)
7. Packers (9-5-1)

Now, let’s check out the AFC: 

1. *Broncos (12-2) — AFC West leader
2. Patriots (11-3) — AFC East leader 
3. Jaguars (10-4) — AFC South leader
4. Steelers (8-6) — AFC North leader
5. Chargers (10-4)
6. Bills (10-4) 
7. Texans (9-5)

The Cowboys were the only team that could be eliminated from playoff contention this week and that happened when the Eagles beat the Commanders.