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

Three of the four teams in action on Saturday have a playoff clinching scenario in play.

The Kansas City Chiefs can move a step closer to the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers will win the AFC North with a victory and the Baltimore Ravens are in the playoffs with a win.

The fourth Week 16 Saturday participant, the Houston Texans, are already locked into the postseason as the AFC South champion.

Only one division crown can be clinched in the NFC in Week 16.

The Philadelphia Eagles can lock up the NFC East crown if they are able to beat the Washington Commanders for the second time this season.

Washington and the Green Bay Packers both have playoff berths on the line, but other than that, the rest of the NFC is playing for positioning.

AFC Standings

Jason Miller/Getty Images

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Samaje Perine #34 of the Kansas City Chiefs carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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)

Kansas City needs to beat Houston and have the Buffalo Bills lose to the New England Patriots to land the AFC's No. 1 seed in Week 16.

The Chiefs need to win two of their final three games to capture home-field advantage on their own without any help from Buffalo's opponents.

Kansas City already owns the AFC West title and Houston is the AFC South champion. Pittsburgh can join them as division champions with a win over Baltimore.

Pittsburgh already owns a head-to-head win over Baltimore from Week 11, so a second win would make it impossible for the Ravens to leap the Steelers.

Baltimore can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Saturday, or through a loss by either the Indianapolis Colts or Miami Dolphins.

The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers need the same set of teams to lose to clinch playoff berths.

Denver also needs the Cincinnati Bengals to lose along with Miami and Indianapolis to secure a postseason berth by the end of the weekend.

NFC Standings

Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass under pressure during an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, at Ford Field on December 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

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 Eagles need a second regular-season win over the Commanders to secure the NFC East.

Philadelphia would be the first confirmed division champion in the NFC if it comes away from Week 16 with a win.

The other three divisions will not be settled in Week 16, and there's a chance the NFC North, South and West all come down to Week 18.

The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have clinched playoff spots already, though, and they could be joined by the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay needs a win or tie on Monday night against the New Orleans Saints to secure a playoff spot.

The Packers can also get in on Sunday with a combination of losses by Atlanta and Seattle or Atlanta and the Los Angeles Rams.

Washington gets into the postseason if it upsets the Eagles and gets losses from the same two combination of teams as Green Bay,