Though 10 NFL teams have clinched playoff berths, only Washington is locked in its spot (NFC’s No. 4 seed). Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of playoff scenarios as Week 17 approaches.
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PHOTOS: Best of Week 16 | MORE: Sunday NFL scoreboard, stats
AFC
Steelers (9-6) — Sunday’s loss in Baltimore was a knockout blow. Pittsburgh now needs a Week 17 win in Cleveland and a Jets loss in Buffalo to sneak back in for a wild-card spot.
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Jets (10-5) — New York, with its win over New England and Pittsburgh’s loss to Baltimore, is for now in the playoffs. The Jets can clinch their wild-card spot with a Week 17 win over the Bills or a Steelers loss.
Chiefs (10-5) — Kansas City secured a playoff berth with its win over Cleveland and Pittsburgh’s loss. The Chiefs can win the AFC West with a Week 17 win over the Raiders and a Broncos loss to the Chargers.
Texans (8-7) — Houston’s blowout win over Tennessee on Sunday was key for its chances, even though Indianapolis beat Miami. The Texans need only a Week 17 win to take the division and make the playoffs, but a Colts loss would also do the trick.
Colts (7-8) — Indianapolis needs a bunch of help. The Colts need to win and have the Texans lose in Week 17 (plus much more help) to take the AFC South back from Houston.
Bengals (11-4) — Despite its loss in Denver, Cincinnati won the AFC North and secured a home playoff game with Pittsburgh’s loss to Baltimore. The Bengals can still sneak into the AFC’s No. 2 overall seed if they win and the Broncos lose in Week 17.
Broncos (11-4) — Thanks to Pittsburgh’s Week 16 loss, Denver was able to secure a playoff spot with its win over Cincinnati. The Chiefs, however, can steal the division in Week 17 if Denver loses.
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Patriots (12-3) — New England failed to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed with its loss in New York, but it can do so in Week 17 with a win over Miami. Another Patriots loss would open the door for the Broncos to slide into the top seed.
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NFC
Cardinals (12-2) — NFC West-champion Arizona is still alive for the conference’s No. 1 overall seed, thanks to Carolina’s loss in Atlanta on Sunday. The Cardinals, after their win over the Packers, need another Panthers loss in Week 17 and a win at home over Seahawks to pull it off. Arizona did clinch a first-round bye (at least the No. 2 seed) with Sunday’s win over Green Bay.
Panthers (14-1) — Carolina, 14-1 and already assured a first-round bye, can seal the NFC’s No. 1 overall seed with a Week 17 win over the Buccaneers or a Cardinals loss.
Packers (10-5) — Green Bay already clinched a playoff berth, so Sunday’s loss in Arizona only hurts its chances to win the NFC North. The Packers’ Week 17 matchup with the Vikings will be a de facto division title game, with the winner earning a home playoff game as the No. 3 seed, and the loser settling for a wild-card spot. Green Bay can fall no further than the No. 5 seed.
Vikings (10-5) — Minnesota secured a playoff spot with Sunday night’s win over the Giants. The Vikings can take the NFC North with a win over the Packers in Week 17, but a loss would drop them to a wild card. If the Vikings lose to the Packers, the Seahawks would need a win over the Cardinals to take the No. 5 seed.
Seahawks (9-6) — Seattle already locked up a wild-card spot, so Sunday’s loss to St. Louis only affects seeding. The Vikings’ win leaves the Seahawks at No. 6 heading into Week 17, but a Minnesota loss and a Seattle win would swap the seeds. Green Bay would take the No. 5 seed over Seattle if the Packers fall to the wild card.
Eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16: Falcons, Giants, Eagles, Jaguars
