Week 15 of the NFL season is in the books, and a good chunk of the league has already been eliminated from contending for a playoff spot. Perhaps the most shocking addition to that group was the Kansas City Chiefs, who have fallen to 6-8 on the season after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers.
However, the playoff hunt is still alive for almost two-thirds of the league with just three weeks remaining. As a result, each game is vitally important, with numerous teams potentially securing the division or a playoff spot this week.
Week 16 Playoff Scenarios
CLINCHED:
- Denver Broncos (12-2) – playoff berth
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4) – playoff berth
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) – playoff berth + NFC East division
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3) – playoff berth
Denver Broncos Division Scenarios
Denver Broncos (12-2) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) on Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX)
Denver clinches the AFC West division title and the AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye, and home-field advantage with:
1. DEN win + LAC loss or tie + NE loss + BUF loss or tie
Denver clinches the AFC West division title with:
1. DEN win + LAC loss or tie OR
2. DEN tie + LAC loss
The defense has been the selling point for the Broncos, who currently hold the longest winning streak in the entire NFL. They have a rare chance to lock up the division, or even potentially the conference as a whole with a victory, making this a crucially important game for them.
MORE: 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Buffalo Bills Playoff Scenarios
Buffalo Bills (10-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-11) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS)
Buffalo clinches playoff berth with:
1. BUF win + IND loss or tie OR
2. BUF win + HOU loss or tie OR
3. BUF tie + IND loss OR
4. BUF tie + HOU loss
A statement victory over the New England Patriots paved the way for the Bills to re-enter the discussion of one of the most dangerous teams remaining in the AFC bracket. Even though it has been an inconsistent year for them, they have a high chance of solidifying a playoff spot with a win here.
New England Patriots Playoff Scenarios
New England Patriots (11-3) at Baltimore Ravens (7-7) on Sunday (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC)
New England clinches playoff berth with:
1. NE win or tie OR
2. IND loss or tie OR
3. HOU loss or tie
Their winning streak came to a heartbreaking end against the Buffalo Bills. But the New England Patriots are virtually guaranteed to make the playoffs, and they could make that official with a victory over the underwhelming Ravens this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars Playoff Scenarios
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) at Denver Broncos (12-2); Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX)
Jacksonville clinches playoff berth with:
1. JAX win + IND loss or tie OR
2. JAX win + HOU loss or tie OR
3. JAX tie + IND loss OR
4. JAX tie + IND tie + HOU loss
Their defense was the driving force behind their early success, but Trevor Lawrence is peaking at the right time for the Jacksonville Jaguars. With nine touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three games, he faces his toughest challenge in the form of a stifling Broncos defense.
Los Angeles Chargers Playoff Scenarios
Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) at Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, FOX)
Los Angeles Chargers clinch playoff berth with:
1. LAC win + IND loss or tie OR
2. LAC win + HOU loss or tie OR
3. LAC tie + IND loss OR
4. LAC tie + IND tie + HOU loss
After ending the playoff hopes of the Chiefs, the Chargers can now potentially secure their playoff berth with a win over the Dallas Cowboys, a team that looks more vulnerable by the week.
San Francisco 49ers Playoff Scenarios
San Francisco 49ers (10-4) at Indianapolis Colts (8-6) on Monday (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
San Francisco clinches playoff berth with:
1. SF win OR
2. DET loss OR
3. SF tie + DET tie
Despite the injuries, the 49ers are in the thick of the playoff race and have a chance to solidify their playoff spot with a victory over the Colts, who don’t have their starting quarterback and have instead turned to either a coming-out-of-retirement Philip Rivers or a vastly unproven, returning from injury Anthony Richardson.
