Week 15 is underway in the NFL, and the playoff race is heating up. Some teams are jockeying for playoff positioning, while other squads are simply fighting for their respective seasons. Multiple teams could be either eliminated from division races or the playoffs altogether after this week.
Using PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, let’s explore the potential NFL playoff elimination scenarios in Week 15.
Cincinnati Bengals Playoff Scenarios
CIN is eliminated from the AFC North and playoff contention WITH:
- CIN Loss
- CIN tie + PIT Win
The Cincinnati Bengals have had a tough season with quarterback Joe Burrow out for much of it. Burrow is back now, though, but the Bengals were on their way to a loss on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. With their 24-0 loss to the Ravens, the Bengals are eliminated from postseason play.
Burrow wanted to get back on the field before this season ended and came back, trying his best to help his team notch some more victories.
Kansas City Chiefs Playoff Scenarios
KC is eliminated from playoff contention WITH:
- KC Loss + BUF win/tie + JAX win/tie + HOU win
- KC Loss + BUF win/tie + JAX win/tie + HOU tie + IND tie
- KC Loss + BUF win/tie + JAX win/tie + IND win
- KC Loss + BUF win/tie + HOU win + IND win/tie
The Kansas City Chiefs were on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. Midway through the fourth quarter at home, the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen were leading Kansas City.
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It’s not looking good for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his teammates. The Chiefs’ defense has been doing its best for the team on Sunday.
Defense made some big plays in the first half 😤 pic.twitter.com/9oxR5BmXf1
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 14, 2025
It would be something to not have the Chiefs involved in the NFL playoffs, but that just might happen depending on how things pan out for Kansas City. But Mahomes injured his left knee late in the game and backup Gardner Minshew threw an interception. Therefore, the Chiefs are now eliminated from postseason play.
Miami Dolphins Playoff Scenarios
MIA is eliminated from playoff contention WITH:
1. MIA loss + BUF win/tie + HOU win/tie
2. MIA loss + BUF win/tie + IND win/tie
3. MIA loss + HOU win + IND win
4. MIA tie + BUF Win + JAX win/tie + LAC win/tie + HOU win + IND win/tie
5. MIA tie + BUF Win + JAX win/tie + LAC win/tie + HOU tie+ IND win
The Miami Dolphins are 6-7 on the season entering Monday night’s game against the 7-6 Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. It’s been a bit of a topsy-turvy season behind Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami knows the situation entering their game regarding the playoffs, so they are looking to pick up a much-needed win.
Minnesota Vikings Playoff Scenarios
MIN is eliminated from playoff contention WITH:
1. MIN loss/tie
2. CHI win/tie
3. DET win/tie
The Minnesota Vikings go into Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, knowing that they need to come up with a win. But the Cowboys are going to be a tough test under the bright lights of national TV. With the Bears defeating the Cleveland Browns 31-3 on Sunday at Soldier Field, the Vikings have been eliminated from postseason play.
As Sunday’s games wind down, the NFL playoff picture will become clearer and some things will either be settled or continued for some of these teams. Look for these NFL playoff predictions to undergo some changes in the next couple of days.
