with just two weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, the playoff picture is beginning to come into focus, though several key matchups in Week 16 will determine who secures a postseason berth. Following Week 15 action, the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos clinched playoff spots, while the Kansas City Chiefs-for the first time as 2014-saw thier postseason hopes dashed. This week’s slate features critical contests with notable implications for both AFC and NFC contenders as teams jockey for seeding and a chance to compete for a Super Bowl title.
Playoff Spots on the Line as NFL Heads into Week 16
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Following the action in Week 15, the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos have officially clinched berths in the playoffs. Meanwhile, three teams saw their postseason dreams extinguished, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who were eliminated for the first time since 2014.
As the league enters Week 16, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Four AFC teams and five NFC teams are still battling for a chance to secure their place in the postseason tournament. Denver also has a chance to lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC, depending on the outcomes of other games.
Let’s break down the scenarios for teams hoping to punch their ticket to the playoffs in Week 16:
AFC Playoff Scenarios for Week 16
Their matchup: at Cleveland on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CDMX), CBS
How the Bills can clinch a playoff berth:
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Win + Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET | 3:25 p.m. CDMX, Sunday) or
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Win + Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CDMX, Monday)
Their matchup: vs. Jacksonville on Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (3:05 p.m. CDMX), Fox in the US | Fox Sports in Mexico
How the Broncos can secure the AFC West title:
How the Broncos can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC:
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Win + Chargers loss at Dallas (1 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. CDMX, Sunday) + Patriots loss at Baltimore (8:20 p.m. ET | 7:20 p.m. CDMX, Sunday) + Bills loss at Cleveland (1 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. CDMX, Sunday)
Their matchup: at Denver on Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (3:05 p.m. CDMX), Fox in the US | Fox Sports in Mexico
How the Jaguars can clinch a playoff berth:
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Win + Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET | 3:25 p.m. CDMX, Sunday) or
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Win + Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CDMX, Monday)
Their matchup: at Dallas on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CDMX), Fox in the US | Canal 5 in Mexico
How the Chargers can clinch a playoff berth:
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Win + Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET | 3:25 p.m. CDMX, Sunday) or
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Win + Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CDMX, Monday)
Their matchup: at Baltimore on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET | 7:20 p.m. CDMX, NBC/Peacock in the US | ESPN/Disney+ in Mexico and Latin America
How the Patriots can clinch a playoff berth:
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Win or
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Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET | 3:25 p.m. CDMX, Sunday) or
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Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CDMX, Monday)
NFC Playoff Scenarios for Week 16
Their matchup: vs. Green Bay on Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET | 7:20 p.m. CDMX, Fox
How the Bears can clinch a playoff berth:
Their matchup: at Chicago on Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET | 7:20 p.m. CDMX, Fox
How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth:
Their matchup: at Washington on Saturday, 5 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. CDMX, Fox
How the Eagles can secure the NFC East title:
Their matchup: at Indianapolis on Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CDMX, ABC/ESPN in the US | ESPN/Disney+
How the 49ers can clinch a playoff berth:
Their matchup: at Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET | 7:15 p.m. CDMX, Prime Video in the US | Fox Sports in Mexico
How the Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth:
Teams Eliminated from Playoff Contention
· Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
· Miami Dolphins (6-8)
· Minnesota Vikings (6-8)
· Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
· Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
· New Orleans Saints (4-10)
· Washington Commanders (4-10)
· New York Jets (3-11)
· Cleveland Browns (3-11)
· Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
· Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
· Tennessee Titans (2-12)
· New York Giants (2-12)
