NFL Playoff Picture: 10 Teams Clinch Postseason Berths as Week 17 Approaches
The 2025 NFL regular season has been a thrilling ride, and Week 16 did not disappoint. A total of eight teams punched their ticket to the postseason, marking the most in a single week through a non-strike season in league history, according to ESPN Research. This brings the total number of qualified teams to 10 out of 14, with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Seattle Seahawks were the first to clinch, defeating the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night. The Philadelphia Eagles soon followed, securing their spot with a victory on Saturday. Sunday’s games saw the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears clinch, courtesy of a loss by the Detroit Lions. The New England Patriots joined the postseason party by beating the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. Finally, the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, and Jacksonville Jaguars all clinched after the Indianapolis Colts lost to the 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”
As the league heads into Week 17, five AFC teams and four NFC teams still have a chance to secure a No. 1 seed, divisional title, or playoff berth. Let’s dive into the clinching scenarios for these nine teams.
Week 17 Playoff-Clinching Scenarios in the AFC
The Denver Broncos face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. ET, with a chance to clinch the AFC West. To do so, they need to win and have the Las Vegas Raiders lose to the Miami Dolphins. Alternatively, the Broncos can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC if they win and the Buffalo Bills lose to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Houston Texans take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, with an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth. They need to win and have the Tennessee Titans lose to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Jacksonville Jaguars face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, looking to clinch the AFC South. A win would secure their division title.
The New England Patriots take on the New York Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with a chance to clinch the AFC East. They need to win and have the Miami Dolphins lose to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Pittsburgh Steelers face the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, looking to clinch the AFC North. They need to win and have the Cincinnati Bengals lose to the Buffalo Bills.
Week 17 Playoff-Clinching Scenarios in the NFC
The Carolina Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with an opportunity to clinch the NFC South. They need to win and have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Chicago Bears face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. ET, looking to clinch the NFC North. They need to win and have the Green Bay Packers lose to the Baltimore Ravens.
The Green Bay Packers take on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, with a chance to clinch a playoff berth. They need to win and have the Detroit Lions lose to the Minnesota Vikings.
The Seattle Seahawks face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, looking to clinch the NFC West. They need to win, have the Los Angeles Rams lose to the Atlanta Falcons, and have the San Francisco 49ers lose to the Chicago Bears.
Win + L.A. Rams loss at Atlanta (8:15 p.m. ET, Monday) + San Francisco loss vs. Chicago (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday)
