Which NFL teams can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16 and which can be eliminated?

After Week 15, three more teams – the Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Minnesota Vikings – clinched their spot in the NFL playoffs to make a total of seven teams that have secured a spot in the 2024-25 postseason. The Carolina Panthers officially joined those that have been eliminated to make a total of nine teams out of the playoff picture.

AFC teams with playoff berths ahead of Week 16:

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 13-1, AFC West champions

2. Buffalo Bills: 11-3, AFC East champions

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-4

4. Houston Texans: 9-5, AFC South champions

NFC teams with playoff berths ahead of Week 16:

1. Detroit Lions: 12-2

2. Philadelphia Eagles: 12-2

5. Minnesota Vikings: 12-2

NFL teams eliminated from the playoffs:

New York Giants
Las Vegas Raiders
Jacksonville Jaguars
New England Patriots
Tennessee Titans
Cleveland Browns
New York Jets
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears

There are still seven spots up for grabs in the playoffs, and several teams are still fighting for their chance to make it into the postseason. Heading into Week 16, there are five teams that have the possibility of clinching a playoff berth. Here’s who they are and how they can clinch in Week 16.

NFL playoff clinching scenarios in Week 16

AFC:

The AFC has three postseason spots up for grabs and coincidentally, three teams with the opportunity to clinch their spot this week – the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Chargers.

Baltimore Ravens – how they can clinch in Week 16

Win or tie vs Steelers
Miami Dolphins loss or tie (vs 49ers) and Colts loss or tie (vs Titans)

Denver Broncos – how they can clinch in Week 16

Win or tie vs Chargers
Dolphins loss or tie (vs 49ers) and Colts loss or tie (vs Titans) and Bengals loss or tie (vs Browns)

Los Angeles Chargers – how they can clinch in Week 16

Win vs Broncos and Dolphins loss (vs 49ers) and Colts loss (vs Titans)
Tie vs Broncos and Dolphins loss or tie (vs 49ers) and Colts loss or tie (vs Titans) and Bengals loss or tie (vs Browns)

AFC teams in the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (6-8), Miami Dolphins (6-8), Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)

Other AFC clinching scenarios in Week 16

How the Steelers can clinch the AFC North

Win over the Baltimore Ravens.

How the Kansas City Chiefs can clinch the AFC top seed (and first-round bye)

Win or tie vs Texans and a Bills loss or tie (vs Patriots)

NFC:

The NFC has four playoff spots up for grabs and two teams with the chance to clinch a spot in Week 16 – the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders.

Green Bay Packers – how they can clinch in Week 16

Win or tie vs Saints
Seahawks loss or tie (vs Vikings) and Falcons loss or tie (vs Giants)
Seahawks loss or tie (vs Vikings) and Rams loss or tie (vs Jets)

Washington Commanders – how they can clinch in Week 16

Win vs Eagles and Falcons loss or tie (vs Giants) and Seahawks loss or tie (vs Vikings)
Win vs Eagles and Falcons loss or tie (vs Giants) and Rams loss or tie (vs Jets)
Tie vs Eagles and Falcons loss (vs Giants) and Cardinals loss (vs Panthers) and Rams loss or tie (vs Jets)
Tie vs Eagles and Falcons loss (vs Giants) and Cardinals loss or tie (vs Panthers) and Rams loss (vs Jets)

Other NFC clinching scenarios in Week 16

How the Philadelphia Eagles can clinch the NFC East

NFC teams in the hunt:: Seattle Seahawks (8-6), Atlanta Falcons (7-7), Arizona Cardinals (7-7), San Francisco 49ers (6-8), Dallas Cowboys (6-8), New Orleans Saints (5-9)

NFL elimination scenarios in Week 16

AFC:

There are three AFC teams who could potentially be eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16 – the Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, and Indianapolis Colts. Here’s how.

How the Miami Dolphins could be eliminated in Week 16

loss vs 49ers and Chargers win or tie (vs Broncos)
tie vs 49ers and Chargers win (vs Broncos)

How the Cincinnati Bengals could be eliminated in Week 16

loss vs Browns
tie vs Browns and Chargers win or tie (vs Broncos)

How the Indianapolis Colts could be eliminated in Week 16

Loss vs Titans and Chargers win or tie (vs Broncos)
Tie vs Titans and Chargers win (vs Broncos)

NFC:

There are four NFC teams that could be eliminated in Week 16 – the New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, and San Francisco 49ers. Here’s how it could happen.

How the New Orleans Saints could be eliminated in Week 16

Loss or tie vs Packers
Buccaneers win or tie (vs Cowboys)
Falcons win (vs Giants)

How the Dallas Cowboys could be eliminated in Week 16

Loss or tie vs Buccaneers
Commanders win or tie (vs Eagles)

How the Arizona Cardinals could be eliminated in Week 16

Loss vs Panthers and Rams win (vs Jets)
loss vs Panthers and Rams tie (vs Jets) and Seahawks win or tie (vs Vikings)
Tie vs Panthers and Rams win (vs Jets) and Seahawks win (vs Vikings)and Commanders win or tie (vs Eagles)