NFL Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios: Which teams can join field?

[ASFN Admin]

The NFL playoff picture looks due for a good deal of action in Week 16, with the three games played so far this week already proving plenty meaningful for the postseason outlook.

On Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks clinched a berth and reshaped the NFC pecking order with a thrilling overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams, who had been positioned for the No. 1 seed in the conference but fell all the way back to the first wild-card spot with the loss. Then, on Saturday, the Eagles became the first back-to-back winners of the NFC East in 21 years with their triumph over the Washington Commanders. The Chicago Bears capped off the day's doubleheader by racing back late and beating the Green Bay Packers, putting them in prime position for their first NFC North title since 2018.

Yet there's still plenty left to be resolved, and Sunday could add another layer of clarity, with six teams having the opportunity to wrap up a berth.

Here's what's at stake on Sunday:

NFL Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

Denver Broncos Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

Broncos clinch AFC West title and AFC's No. 1 seed with:

• Broncos win + Chargers loss or tie + Patriots loss + Bills loss or tie

Broncos clinch AFC West with:

• Broncos win + Chargers loss or tie
• Broncos tie + Chargers loss

Buffalo Bills Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

Bills clinch playoff berth with:

• Bills win + Colts loss or tie
• Bills win + Texans loss or tie
• Bills tie + Colts loss
• Bills tie + Texans loss

New England Patriots Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

Patriots clinch playoff berth with:

• Patriots win or tie
• Colts loss or tie
• Texans loss or tie

Jacksonville Jaguars Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

Jaguars clinch playoff berth with:

• Jaguars win + Colts loss or tie
• Jaguars win + Texans loss or tie
• Jaguars tie + Colts loss
• Jaguars tie + Texans loss

Los Angeles Chargers Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

Chargers clinch playoff berth with:

• Chargers win + Colts loss or tie
• Chargers win + Texans loss or tie
• Chargers tie + Colts loss
• Chargers tie + Texans loss

Chicago Bears Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

Bears clinch playoff berth with:

• Bears win + Lions loss or tie

San Francisco 49ers Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios​

49ers clinch playoff berth with:

• 49ers win
• Lions loss
• 49ers tie + Lions tie

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 16 playoff scenarios: Which teams can join field?

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