NFL playoff picture, NFL standings update in Week 16

[ASFN Admin]

The NFL playoff picture continues to take shape in the NFC in Week 17 on Dec. 20 as two Saturday games could decide two divisions.

Philadelphia can clinch the NFC East with a win over the Washington Commanders. The Eagles' magic number to win the division is at 1.

The Packers travel down to Chicago to face the Bears with the winner taking the lead in the NFC North. Green Bay won the earlier matchup a couple weeks ago at Lambeau Field but is without Micah Parsons for the rest of the season after a knee injury last week.

Here is the NFL playoff picture in Week 16, with the standings updated throughout Dec. 20 and 21:

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AFC Playoff Picture​

Division leaders​

1. Denver Broncos (12-2) Clinched playoff berth; AFC West leaders​

• This week: Jacksonville, 3:05 p.m. Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at Kansas City, LA Chargers

Clinching scenarios: The Broncos clinch the AFC West with a win and a Chargers loss or tie OR a tie and a Chargers loss. The Broncos clinch home field advantage for the AFC playoffs with a win, a Chargers loss or tie, a Patriots loss and a Bills loss or tie.

2. New England Patriots (11-3) AFC East leaders​

• This week: at Baltimore, 7:15 p.m. Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at NY Jets, Miami

Clinching scenarios: The Patriots clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie OR a Colts loss or tie OR a Texans loss or tie.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) AFC South leaders​

• This week: at Denver, 3:05 p.m. Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at Indianapolis, Tennessee

Clinching scenarios: The Jaguars clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Colts loss or tie OR a win and a Texans loss or tie OR a tie and a Colts loss OR a tie and a Colts tie and a Texans loss.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) AFC North leaders​

• This week: at Detroit, 3:25 p.m. Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at Cleveland, Baltimore

Wild cards​

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)​

• This week: at Dallas, Noon Sunday
• Remaining schedule: Houston, at Denver

Clinching scenarios: The Chargers clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Colts loss or tie OR a win and a Texans loss or tie OR a tie and a Colts loss OR a tie and a Colts tie and a Texans loss.

6. Buffalo Bills (10-4)​

• This week: at Cleveland, Noon Sunday
• Remaining schedule: Philadelphia, NY Jets

Clinching scenarios: The Bills clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Colts loss or tie OR a win and a Texans loss or tie OR a tie and a Colts loss OR a tie and a Texans loss.

7. Houston Texans (9-5)​

• This week: Las Vegas, 3:05 p.m. Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at LA Chargers, Indianapolis

Outside looking in​

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)​

• This week: San Francisco, 7:15 p.m. Monday
• Remaining schedule: Jacksonville, at Houston

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)​

• This week: New England, 7:15 p.m. Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at Green Bay, at Pittsburgh

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8); eliminated from playoff contention​

10. Miami Dolphins (6-8); eliminated from playoff contention​

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10); eliminated from playoff contention​

13. New York Jets (3-11); eliminated from playoff contention​

14. Cleveland Browns (3-11); eliminated from playoff contention​

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

16. Tennessee Titans (2-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

NFC playoff picture​

Division leaders​

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) Clinched playoff berth; NFC West leader​

• This week: Won vs. LA Rams
• Remaining schedule: at Carolina, at San Francisco

2. Chicago Bears (10-4) NFC North leader​

• This week: Green Bay, 7:15 p.m. Saturday
• Remaining schedule: at San Francisco, Detroit

Clinching scenarios: The Bears clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Lions loss or tie OR a tie and a Lions loss.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) NFC East leader​

• This week: at Washington, 3:30 p.m. Saturday
• Remaining schedule: at Buffalo, Washington

Clinching scenarios: The Eagles clinch the NFC East with a win OR a Cowboys loss OR a tie and a Cowboys tie.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) NFC South leader​

• This week: at Carolina, Noon Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at Miami, Carolina

Wild cards​

5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) Clinched playoff berth​

• This week: Lost at Seattle
• Remaining schedule: at Atlanta, Arizona

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)​

• This week: at Indianapolis, 7:15 p.m. Monday
• Remaining schedule: Chicago, Seattle

Clinching scenarios: The 49ers clinch a playoff berth with a win OR a Lions loss OR a tie and a Lions tie.

7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)​

• This week: at Chicago, 7:15 p.m. Saturday
• Remaining schedule: Baltimore, at Minnesota

Clinching scenarios: The Packers clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Lions loss or tie OR a tie and a Lions loss.

Outside looking in​

8. Detroit Lions (8-6)​

• This week: Pittsburgh, 3:25 p.m. Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at Minnesota, at Chicago

9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)​

• This week: Tampa Bay, Noon Sunday
• Remaining schedule: Seattle, at Tampa Bay

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)​

• This week: LA Chargers, Noon Sunday
• Remaining schedule: at Washington, at NY Giants

11. Minnesota Vikings (6-8); eliminated from playoff contention​

12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9); eliminated from playoff contention​

14. New Orleans Saints (4-10); eliminated from playoff contention​

15. Washington Commanders (4-10); eliminated from playoff contention​

13. Arizona Cardinals (3-11); eliminated from playoff contention​

16. New York Giants (2-12); eliminated from playoff contention​

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NFL playoff picture, NFL standings update in Week 16

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