NFL Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios: Which teams can join field? Michael MiddlehurstSchwartz, USA TODAYDecember 21, 2025 at 4:04 AM 0 The NFL playoff picture looks due for a good deal of action in Week 16, with the three games played so far this week already proving plenty meaningful for the postseason outlook. On Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks clinched a berth and reshaped the NFC pecking order with a thrilling overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams, who had been positioned for the No. 1 seed in the conference but fell all the way back to the first wildcard spot with the loss.
- - NFL Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios: Which teams can join field?
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAYDecember 21, 2025 at 4:04 AM
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The NFL playoff picture looks due for a good deal of action in Week 16, with the three games played so far this week already proving plenty meaningful for the postseason outlook.
On Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks clinched a berth and reshaped the NFC pecking order with a thrilling overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams, who had been positioned for the No. 1 seed in the conference but fell all the way back to the first wild-card spot with the loss. Then, on Saturday, the Eagles became the first back-to-back winners of the NFC East in 21 years with their triumph over the Washington Commanders. The Chicago Bears capped off the day's doubleheader by racing back late and beating the Green Bay Packers, putting them in prime position for their first NFC North title since 2018.
Yet there's still plenty left to be resolved, and Sunday could add another layer of clarity, with six teams having the opportunity to wrap up a berth.
Here's what's at stake on Sunday:
NFL Week 16 playoff clinching scenariosDenver Broncos Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios
Broncos clinch AFC West title and AFC's No. 1 seed with:
Broncos win + Chargers loss or tie + Patriots loss + Bills loss or tie
Broncos clinch AFC West with:
Broncos win + Chargers loss or tie
Broncos tie + Chargers loss
Buffalo Bills Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios
Bills clinch playoff berth with:
Bills win + Colts loss or tie
Bills win + Texans loss or tie
Bills tie + Colts loss
Bills tie + Texans loss
New England Patriots Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios
Patriots clinch playoff berth with:
Patriots win or tie
Colts loss or tie
Texans loss or tie
Jacksonville Jaguars Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios
Jaguars clinch playoff berth with:
Jaguars win + Colts loss or tie
Jaguars win + Texans loss or tie
Jaguars tie + Colts loss
Jaguars tie + Texans loss
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/8BufWjc class=caas-img data-headline="Best images of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" src=https://ift.tt/8BufWjc class=caas-img>
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Los Angeles Chargers Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios
Chargers clinch playoff berth with:
Chargers win + Colts loss or tie
Chargers win + Texans loss or tie
Chargers tie + Colts loss
Chargers tie + Texans loss
Chicago Bears Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios
Bears clinch playoff berth with:
Bears win + Lions loss or tie
San Francisco 49ers Week 16 playoff clinching scenarios
49ers clinch playoff berth with:
49ers win
Lions loss
49ers tie + Lions tie
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 16 playoff scenarios: Which teams can join field?
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: December 21, 2025 at 01:27PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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