NFL playoff scenarios entering Week 16
As the NFL enters the home stretch, many teams are looking towards their futures. Some are readying for the 2022 NFL Draft, while contenders have dreams of the Super Bowl on their mind. The latter is reading through all playoff scenarios — wondering when they can sell their t-shirts and get ready for the dance.
Two teams has clinched their spot already. First, the Green Bay Packers have already locked up the NFC North. Then, the Dallas Cowboys got good news on their day off — clinching their spots on Thursday due to a San Francisco 49ers loss. For everyone else, more still needs to happen for them to guarantee their spot in the playoffs.
As some of the top teams wonder what they need to do, NFL insider Ian Rapoport laid it all out for us.
NFL playoff scenarios entering Week 16
Here are all the playoff clinching scenarios for Week 16, courtesy of Rapoport.
First, the NFC features some of the best teams in the entire NFL. For the first half of the season, it looked like nobody was going to defeat the Arizona Cardinals. Since, they’ve looked beatable — but they still have an inside track to the playoffs.
The Cardinals simply need to win to clinch above all, but they can make it due to help from many different teams. A combination of results from the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints could guarantee the Cardinals’ return to the playoffs.
As for their division foe, the Los Angeles Rams also could clinch with a victory. However, losses by both the Eagles and Saints could guarantee their spot if they’re unable to defeat the Vikings on Sunday.
Finally, the defending Super Bowl Champions could clinch their division on Sunday, as Tom Brady and the Buccaneers need a victory over the Carolina Panthers to win the NFC South. However, they can also clinch the division with a loss — as long as the Saints are defeated by the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
NFL playoff clinching scenarios for the AFC
As for the other conference, the AFC has been begging for a team to rise to the top. Evidently, it’s going to be a familiar face, as the Kansas City Chiefs now look like the top team.
For the Chiefs, their playoff clinching scenarios are easy — just get a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Chiefs clinch their ticket to the post-season with a win, if the Los Angeles Chargers lose as well they’ll win the AFC West.
Continuing, Bill Belichick looks to be back on his way to the playoffs. The New England Patriots can clinch the AFC East with a win and a Dolphins loss on Monday. Additionally, the Patriots can clinch a berth in the playoffs — but they’ll need to win plus receive help from the Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and the aforementioned Colts.
Finally, the Titans got the first victory of Week 16 by defeating the 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Now, they can clinch the AFC South, if they receive some help from the Cardinals by virtue of a Colts’ loss.