NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: Reviewing Latest Bracket Scenarios for AFC, NFC
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night, yielding the first playoff-relevant outcome of Week 16. Los Angeles won 30-22, keeping their wild-card window wide open, while keeping New Orleans behind in the NFC South race.
Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and the Rams have surged over the last month or so to put themselves right in the thick of the NFC wild-card race—though the 11-3 San Francisco 49ers have already clinched the NFC West.
With 15 games left to play in Week 16, a lot can still impact the playoff picture. The 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are the only teams that have clinched in the NFC, while the Baltimore Ravens are the AFC's only solidified playoff team.
Current NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
1. Baltimore Ravens 11-3*
2. Miami Dolphins 10-4
3. Kansas City Chiefs 9-5
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 8-6
5. Cleveland Browns 9-5
6. Cincinnati Bengals 8-6
7. Indianapolis Colts 8-6
In the Hunt: Houston Texans (8-6), Buffalo Bills (8-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7), Denver Broncos (7-7)
NFC
1. San Francisco 49ers 11-3*^
2. Dallas Cowboys 10-4*
3. Detroit Lions 10-4
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-7
5. Philadelphia Eagles 10-4*
6. Los Angeles Rams 8-7
7. Minnesota Vikings 7-7
In the Hunt: Seattle Seahawks (7-7), New Orleans Saints (7-8), Atlanta Falcons (6-8), Green Bay Packers (6-8)
* = clinched playoff spot, ^ = clinched division
AFC Clinching Scenarios
The Ravens are the front-runners for the AFC's No. 1 seed. They can also clinch the AFC North this week if Baltimore beats the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns lose to the Houston Texans.
This week's battle between Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy could settle a lot more than the MVP race.
The Kansas City Chiefs can also punch their ticked this week by beating the Las Vegas Raiders. A Week 16 win will hand Kansas City both a playoff spot and the AFC West crown. A tie with Las Vegas and a Denver Broncos loss will yield the same result.
The Miami Dolphins face a win-and-in scenario. If they beat the Miami Dolphins, they'll have a playoff spot. If they win and the Buffalo Bills fall to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Dolphins will also clinch the AFC East.
Miami can also get in with a tie and a combination of losses by other AFC wild-card contenders.
Cleveland is the only current AFC wild-card team that can clinch in Week 16, though the path is a bit complicated. It starts with beating the Texans on the road and requires some combination of outcomes by four other wild-card contenders—most require losses, but because of tiebreakers, some wins could actually help Cleveland.
Clinching this week isn't impossible, but the Browns will probably have to wait another week, even if they get their 10th win of the season against Houston.
NFC Clinching Scenarios
With one division and three playoff spots already settled, things aren't as wide-open in the NFC.
The Detroit Lions can join the 49ers as division champions this week. If Detroit outlasts the Minnesota Vikings, the Lions will be NFC North champions. They can also secure a playoff berth with a Seattle Seahawks loss.
While the 49ers are already set to host a playoff game, they still have plenty to play for. If San Francisco beats Baltimore and gets losses by the Lions, Cowboys and Eagles, it will secure the NFC's No. 1 seed and lone playoff bye.
The Cowboys and Eagles are currently tied atop the NFC East, but that division won't be settled this week. Dallas holds the tiebreakers right now, but if both teams win out, Philadelphia will emerge as the division champion because of tiebreakers.
It's worth noting that Dallas has the tougher schedule down the stretch too, with the Dolphins and Lions on deck before the season finale against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles play the New York Giants twice, plus the Arizona Cardinals.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have not been particularly good on the road this season. The Eagles have lost three straight, so there's no guarantee that either team will every game that remains.
Neither of the NFC's two remaining wild-card spots can be clinched in Week 16.
*Standings and scenarios from NFL.com.