Week 16 NFL Playoff Picture: Reviewing Latest Bracket Scenarios for AFC, NFC
The complexion of the AFC wild-card race changed a bit with the Los Angeles Chargers' Thursday night win over the Denver Broncos.
The Chargers jumped into the No. 6 spot in the AFC standings thanks to their second head-to-head win of the season over Denver.
Denver is now in a potentially precarious situation for its stretch run because of the teams beneath it.
The Cincinnati Bengals have the best chance to cause chaos with a Week 16 win and then a head-to-head win over Denver in Week 17.
However, Cincinnati and the other two 6-8 teams in the AFC are on thin ice because one loss knocks them out of playoff contention.
The NFC playoff picture is interesting from a few different perspectives. Three division leaders only have leads of a game and the wild-card competition could shuffle if the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Washington Commanders.
AFC Standings
1 of 2
Division Leaders
1. Kansas City (13-1)
2. Buffalo (11-3)
3. Pittsburgh (10-4)
4. Houston (9-5)
Wild-Card Race
5. Baltimore (9-5)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)
7. Denver (9-6)
8. Indianapolis (6-8)
9. Miami (6-8)
10. Cincinnati (6-8)
Los Angeles' win over Denver uncovered some hope for the three 6-8 teams in the wild-card race.
However, the Colts, Dolphins and Bengals all need to win in Week 16 to just mathematically stay alive.
Denver holds a 2.5-game lead over the three chasers, and if they all lose, the Broncos clinch a playoff spot, as would the Chargers and Ravens.
The Bengals play the Cleveland Browns, the Dolphins take on the San Francisco 49ers and the Colts face the Tennessee Titans.
It's unlikely that all three teams lose, and if Cincinnati beats Cleveland, it opens up the best possible path to the playoffs.
Cincinnati plays Denver in Week 17 and then it could have a playoff berth on the line against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 18. Denver finishes with the Chiefs in Week 18, so the Bengals' dream is real.
At the top, the Chiefs can clinch the No. 1 overall seed with a Saturday win over the Texans and a Buffalo loss to the New England Patriots.
Pittsburgh wins the AFC North by beating the Ravens on Saturday. The Ravens can secure a playoff berth with a win and losses by the Colts and Dolphins.
NFC Standings
2 of 2
Division Leaders
1. Detroit (12-2)
2. Philadelphia (12-2)
3. Tampa Bay (8-6)
4. Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
Wild-Card Race
5. Minnesota (12-2)
6. Green Bay (10-4)
7. Washington (9-5)
8. Seattle (8-6)
9. Atlanta (7-7)
10. Arizona (7-7)
11. San Francisco (6-8)
12. Dallas (6-8)
13. New Orleans (5-9)
The NFC East title is the biggest prize up for grabs in Week 16.
Philadelphia needs to beat Washington to claim the division, while the Commanders can stay alive with a win.
The Commanders could clinch a playoff berth with a home win combined with an Atlanta loss and Rams loss, or through an Atlanta loss and Seattle loss.
Green Bay can secure a playoff spot with the same combination of results. It needs to beat the Saints on Monday night and get losses from either Atlanta and Los Angeles, or Atlanta and Seattle.
The NFC South and West leads could change hands in Week 16.
That would require a loss by the Buccaneers and a Falcons win. Atlanta owns the head-to-head tiebreaker over the current NFC South leader.
In the West, the Rams play the New York Jets and the Seahawks face the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota is still in the hunt for the NFC North, while the Jets are already eliminated from playoff contention.
The Vikings need to beat Seattle and have the Detroit Lions be upset by the Chicago Bears to take first place in the NFC North.
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