Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season kicked off with a high-stakes matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. Both teams entered the game with a 7-7 record, making it a crucial game with significant playoff implications. The Rams emerged victorious, altering the playoff landscape for several teams overnight.

At this point in the season, three teams - the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Philadelphia Eagles - have already clinched playoff spots. However, one more team has the chance to join them this weekend. The Detroit Lions, who currently hold a 7-7 record, have various pathways to secure a playoff spot. A win against the Minnesota Vikings would clinch the division and guarantee a playoff berth for the Lions. In case of a loss or tie against the Vikings, the Lions can still secure a playoff spot with a Seattle Seahawks loss or tie against the Tennessee Titans.

While the focus is on the teams aiming to clinch playoff berths, there are also teams facing the threat of elimination. The Chicago Bears and the New York Giants are two teams in the NFC that could be knocked out of playoff contention this week. The Bears face multiple scenarios that could result in their elimination, including a loss to the Arizona Cardinals coupled with specific outcomes in other games involving the Seahawks, Vikings, Rams, Packers, Buccaneers, and Giants. For the Giants, a loss to the Eagles would seal their fate, with several combinations of wins and ties by the Seahawks, Vikings, Packers, Falcons, Buccaneers, and Bears also eliminating them from playoff contention.

In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens became the first team to clinch a playoff spot last week. They can secure the division title with a win against the San Francisco 49ers, combined with a loss or tie by the Cleveland Browns against the Houston Texans. The Kansas City Chiefs could also secure a playoff spot this weekend by winning the AFC West. A victory against the Las Vegas Raiders would clinch the division for the Chiefs, while a tie against the Raiders, along with a loss by the Denver Broncos to the New England Patriots, would achieve the same result. The Miami Dolphins also have a chance to lock up a playoff spot with a win against the Dallas Cowboys. Multiple scenarios involving the Bengals, Colts, Bills, Texans, and Browns could secure Miami's playoff berth, even in the event of a tie against the Cowboys.

It is important to note that the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

As the regular season nears its end, each game carries significant weight for teams fighting for a spot in the postseason. The competition for playoff berths and division titles continues to intensify, with numerous teams still vying for a chance to extend their season. Stay tuned as the NFL playoff picture becomes clearer with each passing week.