The Chiefs, Steelers and Saints all have paths to clinching playoff berths in Week 13. Kansas City and Pittsburgh actually have ways to clinch their division crowns, too, as they battle for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Each team’s scenario is mostly dependent on a win and some help with still four regular-season weeks to go after this one.
Below are all the NFL playoff clinching scenarios for the three teams that have chances to stamp their postseason status in Week 13, followed by a complete playoff picture.
MORE: Explaining the NFL’s expanded playoffs
NFL playoff clinching scenarios for Week 13
Kansas City Chiefs (10-1)
(vs. Broncos)
Kansas City clinches AFC West division title with:
Chiefs win AND Raiders loss or tie OR Chiefs tie AND Raiders loss
Kansas City clinches playoff berth with:
Chiefs win OR Chiefs tie AND Ravens loss or tie AND Colts loss OR Chiefs tie AND Raiders tie AND Ravens loss or tie AND Colts tie OR Chiefs tie AND Raiders tie AND Dolphins loss AND Colts loss or tie OR Chiefs tie AND Raiders tie AND Dolphins loss AND Ravens loss or tie OR Chiefs tie AND Dolphins loss AND Ravens loss or tie AND Colts tie OR Raiders loss AND Ravens loss AND Colts loss
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-0)
(vs. Washington)
Pittsburgh clinches AFC North division title with:
Steelers win AND Browns loss AND Steelers clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over CLE
Pittsburgh clinches playoff berth with:
Steelers win or tie OR Raiders loss or tie OR Dolphins loss or tie OR Colts loss or tie
New Orleans Saints (9-2)
(at Falcons)
New Orleans clinches playoff berth with:
Saints win AND Bears loss or tie OR Saints tie AND Bears loss AND Vikings loss AND 49ers loss or tie OR Saints tie AND Bears loss AND Vikings loss AND Cardinals loss or tie
NFL playoff picture 2021
AFC
In the hunt: Raiders (6-5), Ravens (6-5), Patriots (5-6)
NFC
In the hunt: Vikings (5-6), Bears (5-6), 49ers (5-6), Washington (4-7)
