NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: AFC, NFC Scenarios Ahead of Saturday's Games

The upcoming holiday weekend will bring a ton of exciting NFL action. There are 10 games set to take place on Christmas Eve (Sunday), followed by another three matchups on Christmas Day (Monday). But fans don't even have to wait that long for some football.

Two AFC matchups will occur Saturday, and each could have an impact on the playoff picture. The Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers will face off in an AFC North clash, then the Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles Chargers will meet in the nightcap.

Before Week 16 play resumes, here's a breakdown of the NFL playoff picture, followed by a look at Saturday's games and how they could impact the postseason mix.

NFL Playoff Picture

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: A detail view of an NFL shield logo on the field during a game between the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)

AFC

Bye: No. 1 Baltimore Ravens (11-3)

No. 2 Miami Dolphins (10-4) vs. No. 7 Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

No. 3 Kansas City Chiefs (9-5) vs. No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)

No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) vs. No. 5 Cleveland Browns (9-5)

In the hunt: Houston Texans (8-6), Buffalo Bills (8-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7), Denver Broncos (7-7), Las Vegas Raiders (6-8), Los Angeles Chargers (5-9)

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NFC

Bye: No. 1 San Francisco 49ers (11-3)

No. 2 Dallas Cowboys (10-4) vs. No. 7 Minnesota Vikings (7-7)

No. 3 Detroit Lions (10-4) vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Rams (8-7)

No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles (10-4)

In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (7-7), New Orleans Saints (7-8), Atlanta Falcons (6-8), Green Bay Packers (6-8), New York Giants (5-9), Chicago Bears (5-9)

AFC North Clash Pivotal to Wild-Card Hunt

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CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 26: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) is pursued by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) in a game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, November. 26, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The AFC North is one of the toughest divisions in the NFL this season, as all four teams are sitting at .500 or better. Although the Ravens are running away with the division title, the Browns and the Bengals are both currently in playoff positions and the Steelers aren't too far behind.

Pittsburgh is set to host Cincinnati on Saturday in a Week 12 rematch. In the rivals' previous meeting, the Steelers eked out a 16-10 victory in the Bengals' first full game without quarterback Joe Burrow (out for the season due to wrist surgery).

However, Cincinnati hasn't lost since then, reeling off three consecutive victories over Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Minnesota. During that time, Jake Browning has settled in as the Bengals' new QB, passing for 953 yards and five touchdowns over the trio of wins.

Although Cincinnati is currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC, it is among four teams tied at 8-6. So it needs to keep winning in order to secure a playoff berth, or else teams such as Pittsburgh (7-7) could capitalize.

The Steelers are on a three-game losing streak, and they had Mitch Trubisky start at quarterback for each of those games, because Kenny Pickett is out with an ankle injury. But they're making another QB change for Week 16, benching Trubisky and turning to Mason Rudolph.

The 28-year-old Rudolph will look to help end Pittsburgh's recent woes. But it won't be easy, considering how well Cincinnati has been playing of late.

Bills Looking to Stay Hot, Move Up Wild-Card Standings

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after his rushing touchdown during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Highmark Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

If the Bills win Saturday, they'll continue their recent push back into the playoff picture. They would also end the Chargers' hopes of possibly sneaking into the postseason.

A Los Angeles loss on Saturday (or a tie) would eliminate it from playoff contention. Even if the Chargers (5-9) can stave off elimination, they would be knocked out of the postseason mix if the Jaguars beat (or tie) the Buccaneers on Sunday. So it's likely only a matter of time before Los Angeles is mathematically out of the picture.

Buffalo had a strong start to the season, opening 3-1, before it then had a stretch of five losses in eight games. It was surprising to see the team struggle, considering it was supposed to again be among the top teams in the AFC.

After a Week 13 bye, the Bills have gotten back on track. They've won two straight games against a pair of the NFL's top teams—the Chiefs and the Cowboys.

With matchups against the Chargers and the Patriots the next two weeks, the Bills have a prime opportunity to ascend the wild-card standings. They're currently on the outside looking in, but that could change in the near future.

Buffalo wraps up the regular season with a tough road contest at Miami. But if the Dolphins have already clinched by that point, then it would be a much more winnable game for the Bills than originally anticipated.