Seven of the 14 spots have been clinched for the NFL postseason heading into Week 17. That means half the spots remain up for grabs, as well as seeding across the board. Here’s what you need to know about the playoff scenarios heading into this weekend:
(Scenarios via the league office)
AFC
Clinched
Here’s a look at each team’s scenarios:
Bills (12-3)
- Week 17 – at Bengals (11-4)
- Week 18 – vs. Patriots (7-8)
Bills clinch home-field advantage and AFC’s lone first-round bye with:
Bengals (11-4)
- Week 17 – vs. Bills (12-3)
- Week 18 – vs. Ravens (10-5)
Bengals clinch AFC North division title with:
- Bengals win + Ravens loss or tie OR
- Bengals tie + Ravens loss
I broke down the Bills’ defense since Von Miller tapped out and Tre”Devious White tapped in.
Then I broke down the Bengals’ offense since Week 9, when its O-line went from homicide accomplices to magnificent.
It’s a whopper of a matchup. https://t.co/BNbTtC4lcw
— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) December 26, 2022
Dolphins (8-7)
- Week 17 – at Patriots (7-8)
- Week 18 – vs. Jets (7-8)
Dolphins clinch playoff berth with:
- Dolphins win + Jets loss or tie OR
- Dolphins tie + Jets loss + Steelers loss or tie
NFC
Clinched
Here’s a look at each team’s scenarios:
Giants (8-6-1)
- Week 17 – vs. Colts (4-10-1)
- Week 18 – at Eagles (13-2)
Giants clinch playoff berth with:
- Giants win OR
- Giants tie + Seahawks loss or tie + Commanders loss or tie OR
- Giants tie + Seahawks loss or tie + Lions loss or tie OR
- Giants tie + Commanders loss or tie + Lions loss or tie + Packers loss or tie OR
- Seahawks loss + Commanders loss OR
- Seahawks loss + Lions loss + Packers loss or tie OR
- Commanders loss + Lions loss + Packers loss
Eagles (13-2)
- Week 17 – vs. Saints (6-9)
- Week 18 – vs. Giants (8-6-1)
Eagles clinch NFC East division title with:
- Eagles win or tie OR
- Cowboys loss or tie
Eagles clinch home-field advantage and NFC’s lone first-round bye with:
- Eagles win OR
- Eagles tie + Vikings loss or tie OR
- Cowboys loss or tie + Vikings loss + 49ers loss or tie
GO DEEPER
Which NFL GMs have helped and hurt their teams the most in 2022?
Buccaneers (7-8)
Buccaneers clinch NFC South division title with:
Commanders (7-7-1)
- Week 17 – vs. Browns (6-9)
- Week 18 – vs. Cowboys (11-4)
Commanders clinch playoff berth with:
- Commanders win + Seahawks loss + Lions loss + Packers loss or tie
(Photo: Matt Krohn / USA Today)
