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2015 NFL playoff scenarios for Week 16

By Mike Dyce

Oct 25, 2015; London, United Kingdom; General view of NFL Shield logo at Wembley Stadium before the NFL International Series game between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; London, United Kingdom; General view of NFL Shield logo at Wembley Stadium before the NFL International Series game between the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are the playoff scenarios for every team heading into Week 16 of the NFL season.

The NFL season is just two weeks away from the season being over and the playoff picture is becoming clearer, though there is still a lot up for grabs. Let’s break down every team in the NFL in the playoff hunt and what they need to happen to clinch in Week 16.

Let’s start with the AFC.

To start, the New England Patriots have already clinched the AFC East and a first-round bye. The Cincinnati Bengals have already clinched a playoff berth.

NEW ENGLAND

Despite that, New England is still looking to clinch home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs. To do so, the Patriots need to beat the New York Jets on Sunday. If the Patriots tie and the Bengals lose or tie they’ll also clinch.

CINCINNATI

The Bengals are still looking to clinch the AFC North and take on the Denver Broncos on the road on Monday Night Football. The Bengals clinch with a win or tie, or a Pittsburgh Steelers loss or tie.

The Bengals can also clinch a first-round bye with a win or tie.

DENVER

The Broncos have a lot on the line against the Bengals on MNF as well. They are looking to hold off the resurgent Kansas City Chiefs and win the AFC West division. They can clinch with a win coupled with a Chiefs loss or tie. If the Broncos tie by some miracle, they can still clinch if the Chiefs lose.

Now, Denver can also wrap up a playoff spot on Sunday and this gets a bit messier.If the Broncos win and the Jets lose or tie, they’re in. If the Broncos win and the Steelers lose or tie, they’re in. Those to scenarios repeat themselves with a Denver tie and losses from either the Jets or Steelers.

HOUSTON

The Houston Texans have a lot on the line against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Texans can clinch the AFC South with a win and clinching a strength of victory tie breaker over the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans would also clinch if they win and the Colts lose. If the Texans tie and the Colts lose, they’re in as well.

KANSAS CITY

The Kansas City Chiefs have a chance to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday and have to be thankful it is the Cleveland Browns lining up across from them. The Chiefs can clinch if they win and either the New York Jets or Pittsburgh Steelers lose.

PITTSBURGH

Like the Chiefs, the Pittsburgh Steelers can clinch a playoff spot on Sunday and have to be grateful they’re playing the Baltimore Ravens. If the Steelers win and the Jets lose, they’re in.

Let’s move on to the NFC.

The NFC is a lot more straight forward than the AFC. So far the Carolina Panthers have clinched the NFC South and a first-round bye. The Arizona Cardinals have clinched the NFC West. The Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks have clinched a playoff berth. And last, the Washington Redskins won the NFC East.

CAROLINA

So what do the Carolina Panthers have on the line against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday? Home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs. They clinch this with a win or a Arizona loss. (or if either team ties.)

ARIZONA

The Cardinals still have a lot on the line, but face a tough match up against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals can clinch a first-round bye with a win or tie.

GREEN BAY

The Packers are looking to clinch the NFC North division on Sunday against the Cardinals. They can do so with a win, coupled with a Minnesota Vikings loss or tie. If the Packers some how tie the Cardinals, they can still clinch with a Vikings loss.

MINNESOTA

The Minnesota Vikings play the New York Giants, who suddenly have nothing to play for, on Sunday night. The Vikings are still fighting for a playoff spot and can clinch with several scenarios. The Vikings will clinch with a win or tie. If the Falcons lose or tie, the Vikings clinch. The Seahawks can also do the Vikings a favor by helping them clinch with a win or tie.

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