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NFL playoff-clinching scenarios revealed for Week 15

On3 imageby: Andrew Graham12/10/24AndrewEdGraham
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Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

With the Week 15 NFL slate now up next, some playoff spots can still be clinched. All told, four teams could potentially clinch a postseason berth this weekend, two from the AFC and two from the NFC.

In the AFC, the Houston Texans will play to win a divisional title and therefore a postseason spot, and the Pittsburgh Steelers can sew up a postseason berth. On the NFC side, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are playing to earn berths while the Philadelphia Eagles can win the NFC East on Sunday.

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And the potentially clinching teams would be joining the front runners in either conference that have already clinched postseason spots. The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs have won their respective divisions, the AFC East and West. And in the NFC, the Detroit Lions and Eagles have playoff berths locked down, though not their divisions.

Check out the full set of clinching scenarios below, all times are Eastern.

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Green Bay Packers

Week 15 game: at Seattle Seahawks — Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Given that Green Bay needs a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, it’s unlikely the cheeseheads lock up a postseason trip against the Seahawks. On top of that result, Green Bay needs to win and see the Atlanta Falcons lose or tie.

Minnesota Vikings

Week 15 game: vs. Chicago Bears — Monday, 8 p.m.

While the Vikings, like the Packers, are still behind the Lions in the division, Minnesota is a game ahead of Green Bay and can cinch up at minimum a wildcard spot with a win or tie on Monday Night Football. Minnesota also gets in if the Rams lose or tie, or if the Seahawks lose or tie.

Philadelphia Eagles

Week 15 game: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers — Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

The Eagles are already a wildcard team at worst but can sew up an NFC East title with a win and a loss or tie from the Washington Commanders. The Eagles also win the division if they tie and Washington loses. Washington faces the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.

Houston Texans

Week 15 game: vs. Miami Dolphins — Sunday, 1 p.m.

Houston gets in and wins the AFC South with a win over Miami and the Indianapolis Colts dropping out of reach with a loss. The Colts play the Denver Broncos in Week 15.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 15 game: at Philadelphia Eagles — Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

The easiest path for Pittsburgh to get in is a win or tie on Sunday, which would mean Philadelphia waits another week to clinch the NFC East. But Pittsburgh can still clinch a playoff spot in a losing effort, if Miami loses or ties against Houston and the Colts lose or tie against Denver. Either way, an AFC North title will still be decided in the coming weeks.