There are three weeks left in the 2024 NFL regular season, and the playoff picture is even clearer. Nine teams are already eliminated from the postseason, and seven have clinched berths.
The Bills, Chiefs and Texans won their division titles in Weeks 13, 14 and 15, respectively. The Lions and Vikings are tied for first in the NFC North, while the Eagles are close to the NFC East crown. The NFC South and NFC West are still very much up for grabs. And get this: If the Chargers win on Thursday night and the Colts, Dolphins and Bengals all lose Sunday, the AFC field will be locked. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, there has never been an instance where one conference had every playoff spot clinched with two weeks left in the season (since the playoffs expanded to 10 teams in 1978).
Let’s take a look at Week 16 clinching scenarios for eight teams, including how the AFC’s No. 1 seed could be decided at least two weeks early for the first time since 2009.
More NFL playoff race coverage:
Projecting the final seeding
FPI ratings for every team
Projected 2025 draft order
Week 16 clinching scenarios in the AFC
Already clinched: Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans
The matchup: at Chargers on Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
How the Broncos can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: vs. Broncos on Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
How the Chargers can clinch a playoff berth:
The matchup: vs. Houston on Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
How the Chiefs can clinch the No. 1 seed:
The matchup: at Baltimore on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Steelers can clinch the AFC North:
The matchup: vs. Pittsburgh on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Ravens can clinch a playoff berth:
Week 16 clinching scenarios in the NFC
Already clinched: Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings
The matchup: at Commanders on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Eagles can clinch the NFC East:
The matchup: vs. Eagles on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Commanders can clinch a playoff berth:
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Win + Atlanta loss vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Sunday) + Rams loss at Jets (1 p.m. ET, Sunday) OR
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Win + Atlanta loss vs. Giants (1 p.m. ET, Sunday) + Seattle loss vs. Vikings (4:05 p.m. ET, Sunday)
The matchup: vs. New Orleans on Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth: