Skip to main content
Around the NFL

NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 17

Published:
Updated:
4split-171225-SL

This is it. Week 17, when the playoff scenarios become labyrinthine and the postseason comes down to one scenario of a matrix of possibilities. Some teams are simply win and they're in (Baltimore, Tennessee), while others need some help (Buffalo, Seattle).

You could spend time assembling a wall full of possibilities -- or you could make life easier on yourself by scrolling down to read the breakdown.

AFC

CLINCHED: Pittsburgh -- AFC North and first-round bye; New England -- AFC East and a first-round bye; Jacksonville -- AFC South; Kansas City -- AFC West

NEW ENGLAND

New England clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs:

  1. NE win
  1. PIT loss
  1. NE tie + PIT tie

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Pittsburgh clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs:

  1. PIT win + NE loss or tie
  1. PIT tie + NE loss

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Baltimore clinches a playoff berth:

  1. BAL win or tie
  1. BUF loss or tie
  1. TEN loss or tie

TENNESSEE TITANS

Tennessee clinches a playoff berth:

  1. TEN win
  1. TEN tie + BUF loss or tie + LAC loss or tie
  1. BUF loss + LAC loss

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

L.A. Chargers clinch a playoff berth:

  1. LAC win + TEN loss or tie + BUF loss or tie
  1. LAC win + TEN loss or tie + BAL win or tie
  1. LAC tie + TEN loss + BUF loss or tie

BUFFALO BILLS

Buffalo clinches a playoff berth:

  1. BUF win + BAL loss
  1. BUF win + LAC loss or tie + TEN loss or tie
  1. BUF tie + LAC loss + TEN loss

NFC

CLINCHED: Philadelphia -- NFC East, home-field advantage and first-round bye; Minnesota -- NFC North; L.A. Rams -- NFC West; New Orleans -- Playoff berth; Carolina -- Playoff berth

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Minnesota clinches a first-round bye:

  1. MIN win or tie
  1. CAR loss or tie
  1. NO win
  1. LA Rams win

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

New Orleans clinches NFC South:

  1. NO win
  1. CAR loss
  1. NO tie + CAR tie

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina clinches NFC South:

  1. CAR win + NO loss or tie
  1. CAR tie + NO loss

Carolina clinches a first-round bye:

  1. CAR win + NO loss or tie + MIN loss + LAR loss or tie

ATLANTA FALCONS

Atlanta clinches a playoff berth:

  1. ATL win
  1. SEA loss
  1. ATL tie + SEA tie

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seattle clinches a playoff berth:

  1. SEA win + ATL loss or tie
  1. SEA tie + ATL loss