NFL Playoff Picture Takes Shape as Browns Clinch Spot; Six More Teams Have Chance to Secure Playoffs in Week 17
ICARO Media Group
With the Cleveland Browns becoming the seventh team to clinch a playoff spot after their victory over the Jets, the NFL playoff picture is becoming clearer as Week 17 approaches. Six more teams have the opportunity to secure a postseason berth this weekend. Let's take a look at the scenarios for each conference.
In the AFC, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance to clinch the AFC South and a playoff spot if they defeat the Carolina Panthers, combined with losses by the Indianapolis Colts to the Las Vegas Raiders and the Houston Texans to the Tennessee Titans.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs can clinch the AFC West and secure a playoff berth with a win or tie against the Cincinnati Bengals. Additionally, if the Las Vegas Raiders lose or tie to the Colts and the Denver Broncos lose or tie to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chiefs will also clinch a spot.
The Buffalo Bills have a whopping 14 scenarios in which they can clinch a playoff berth this weekend. Some potential combinations include the Bills winning against the New England Patriots, while the Pittsburgh Steelers lose or tie against the Seattle Seahawks, and the Bengals lose or tie against the Chiefs. Other scenarios involve the Bills winning, combined with losses or ties by the Steelers, Jaguars, Texans, and Colts, among others.
Moving on to the NFC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can clinch a playoff berth and the NFC South title with a win over the New Orleans Saints. Alternatively, if the Buccaneers tie and the Atlanta Falcons lose to the Chicago Bears, the Bucs will secure their spot.
The Los Angeles Rams can clinch a playoff berth by defeating the New York Giants and a loss by the Seahawks to the Steelers, or with a win and a tie between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.
Furthermore, the Seattle Seahawks have the opportunity to clinch with a win over the Steelers and a tie between the Vikings and Packers.
In the NFC East, the Philadelphia Eagles could clinch the division title with a win over the Arizona Cardinals and a loss or tie by the Dallas Cowboys against the Detroit Lions. The Eagles would also secure the NFC East with a tie combined with a Cowboys loss.
Lastly, the San Francisco 49ers could clinch the No. 1 overall seed with a win over the Washington Football Team, combined with losses by both the Eagles and the Detroit Lions.
As Week 18 approaches, there will still be one spot up for grabs, the seventh seed in the AFC, which cannot be clinched this week. There is also a possibility that the seventh seed in the NFC will be up for grabs in Week 18.
Currently, three AFC teams have already clinched playoff spots: the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Cleveland Browns. Notably, the Browns and the Lions are both making their playoff appearances together for the first time since 1994.
While seven teams have secured their playoff berths, all seeding positions in each conference remain undecided, adding excitement and drama to the final two weeks of the regular season.
For a comprehensive look at the current playoff standings, refer to our breakdown here.
Stay tuned for our latest NFL stories as the playoff picture continues to unfold.