NFL Playoff Picture: Week 16 Clinching Scenarios and Eliminations
The 2025 NFL regular season has reached its final stretch, with the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos securing their spots in the playoffs after Week 15. Meanwhile, three teams have been eliminated from contention, including the Kansas City Chiefs, who are missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. As we head into Week 16, the stakes are high, with four AFC teams and five NFC teams vying for a postseason spot. The Denver Broncos also have a chance to lock up the AFC’s No. 1 seed if certain conditions are met.
Let’s dive into the Week 16 playoff-clinching scenarios for 10 teams, exploring the matchups, requirements, and implications for each. For a comprehensive understanding of the NFL playoff race, be sure to check out ESPN’s projected final seeding, FPI ratings for every team, and projected 2026 draft order.
AFC Playoff Clinching Scenarios
Bills at Cleveland Browns: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS. The Bills can clinch a playoff berth with a win and some help from other teams. Specifically, they need the 
Dolphins to lose and the 
Patriots to either lose or tie.
Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox. The Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a win and a Chargers loss. To secure the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC, they need to win and have the Bills, Bengals, and Ravens all lose.
Jaguars at Denver Broncos: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox. The Jaguars can clinch a playoff berth with a win and some help from other teams, including a Dolphins loss and a Patriots loss or tie.
Chargers at Dallas Cowboys: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox. The Chargers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a combination of other results, including a Dolphins loss and a Patriots loss or tie.
Patriots at Baltimore Ravens: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock. The Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with a win and some help, including a Dolphins loss and a Bills loss or tie.
NFC Playoff Clinching Scenarios
Bears vs. Green Bay Packers: Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Fox. The Bears can clinch a playoff berth with a win and some help from other teams, including a Lions loss and a Vikings loss or tie.
Packers at Chicago Bears: Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Fox. The Packers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a combination of other results, including a Lions loss and a Vikings loss or tie.
