The final week of the 2023 NFL calendar year is underway, with several teams vying for playoff spots and others facing elimination. On Thursday night, the Cleveland Browns scored a crucial win over the New York Jets, securing their place in the playoffs. Let's take a look at the teams that can join them and those that will be eliminated this weekend.

Four teams - the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and Philadelphia Eagles - have already clinched their playoff berths. Meanwhile, three other teams have the opportunity to secure their spots this weekend, with a slim chance for the entire playoff field to be filled by Sunday night.

In the NFC, the Cleveland Browns have a chance to lock down the NFC South division and secure a playoff spot with a win over the New Orleans Saints. They can also get in if the game ends in a tie, provided the Atlanta Falcons lose to the Chicago Bears.

The Seattle Seahawks can also grab a playoff spot if they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings ends in a tie.

The Los Angeles Rams have their sights set on a playoff spot as well. They have two paths - a win over the New York Giants and a Seahawks loss to the Steelers, or if the Rams beat the Giants and the Packers-Vikings game ends in a tie. In the latter scenario, both the Seahawks and the Rams would make it to the playoffs.

Turning our attention to seeding and division scenarios, the San Francisco 49ers still have a chance to clinch the first-round bye in the NFC. They need a win over the Washington Commanders, a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles to the Arizona Cardinals, and a loss by the Detroit Lions to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Philadelphia Eagles, on the other hand, can secure the NFC East division title with a win and a Cowboys loss or tie. They can also achieve it with a tie and a Cowboys loss.

In terms of elimination scenarios, there are five teams facing the possibility of being eliminated from the playoffs this weekend. The Atlanta Falcons, despite a slim chance of staying alive, can be eliminated even if they win. This can happen with various combinations of wins and losses for other teams.

In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins have already secured their playoff spots. The Kansas City Chiefs have the opportunity to clinch the AFC West division title with a win or tie against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Jacksonville Jaguars still have a chance to clinch the AFC South division by defeating the Carolina Panthers. However, they would also need a loss by the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans.

The Buffalo Bills have multiple scenarios to lock down a playoff spot, but they will need some help even if they win against the New England Patriots.

As for the Pittsburgh Steelers, their slim playoff hopes are still alive after a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, they can be eliminated if they lose to the Seattle Seahawks, coupled with various combinations of wins by other teams.

The article concludes by informing readers that the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

The final week of the 2023 NFL season promises to bring intense matchups and high-stakes action as teams fight to secure their spots in the playoffs, while others face the harsh reality of elimination.