NFL Playoff Picture Week 15: Latest AFC, NFC Standings and Bracket Scenarios
Here we go again. A new week of NFL action has rolled around, and with it comes a bevy of games chock-full of playoff implications that will catapult some teams into the postseason and shatter the dreams of others. It's a great time of year for football.
With only three weeks remaining, it's hard to believe not a single team has clinched a playoff berth yet this season—that just goes to show the highly competitive nature of the NFL. However, it's very likely Week 15 will change all of that, as several clinching scenarios are possible.
Before we delve into each one of those scenarios, let's first take a look at how the playoff picture currently looks for each conference, followed by teams that are still alive and in postseason contention.
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Week 15 Playoff Picture
| 1 | New England Patriots (10-3) | 1 | Arizona Cardinals (10-3) |
| 2 | Denver Broncos (10-3) | 2 | Green Bay Packers (10-3) |
| 3 | Indianapolis Colts (9-4) | 3 | Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) |
| 4 | Cincinnati Bengals (8-4-1) | 4 | Atlanta Falcons (5-8) |
| 5 | Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) | 5 | Seattle Seahawks (9-4) |
| 6 | San Diego Chargers (8-5) | 6 | Detroit Lions (9-4) |
AFC in the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-5), Houston Texans (7-6), Miami Dolphins (7-6), Kansas City Chiefs (7-6), Buffalo Bills (7-6) and Cleveland Browns (7-6).
NFC in the hunt: Dallas Cowboys (9-4), San Francisco 49ers (7-6), Minnesota Vikings (6-7), St. Louis Rams (6-7), New Orleans Saints (5-8) and Carolina Panthers (4-8-1).
Week 15 Scenarios
Denver Broncos' Clinch Scenarios
At 10-3 on the season, the Broncos are virtually a lock for the postseason already; however, they can officially claim a playoff berth this week with a victory over the 8-4 San Diego Chargers. It's quite simple, really: The Chargers are the only team in the division capable of catching Denver, and a Broncos win would put them three games up with just two to play.
A win won't be easy, as Vic Lombardi of CBS Denver noted what's on the line for San Diego:
Interestingly enough, the Broncos can also claim a first-round bye in Week 15; although, that scenario is a little more unlikely. For this to come to fruition, Denver would need to win, and it would also need losses by the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers.
If Denver loses, it can still clinch a playoff spot with losses by the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Bengals and Steelers—or losses by the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns instead of their AFC North counterparts.
New England Patriots' Clinch Scenarios
Basically, the Patriots are in the same boat as the Broncos. They are also 10-3 and can earn a division title with a win. Obviously, since New England has the same record as Denver, it can also clinch a first-round bye with losses by the Colts, Bengals and Steelers.
A division title would be the sixth in a row for the dominant Patriots, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
If the Patriots lose to the Dolphins on Sunday, they can still clinch a playoff spot with losses by Houston, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and the Buffalo Bills. A loss by the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers would also help New England's postseason hopes.
Indianapolis Colts' Clinch Scenarios
It's an easy one for the Colts: Win, and you're in. At 9-4 on the season, the Colts are in control of the AFC South with a two-game lead over the 7-6 Texans. If Indianapolis defeats Houston on Sunday, it would have a three-game lead with just two games remaining.
Unlike the Broncos and Patriots, the Colts don't have any other clinching scenarios in Week 15.
Arizona Cardinals' Clinch Scenarios
The Cardinals are in great shape to earn a playoff berth in Week 15. Arizona needs to defeat the St. Louis Rams on Thursday Night Football to put itself in great position. If it wins, the team needs a little more help to obtain a spot in the postseason.
Although, Arizona won't have it easy Thursday, as the Rams are coming off two shutout victories and can find themselves in the history books with another, via ESPN Stats & Info:
If the Detroit Lions lose to the Minnesota Vikings, the Cardinals will be guaranteed at least a wild-card spot. However, if the Lions win, Arizona may have to wait until Sunday night to celebrate, as a tie between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys would keep it from a postseason berth for at least one more week.
Green Bay Packers' Clinch Scenarios
At 10-3, Green Bay is in a tight race for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs; however, it can at least clinch a playoff berth in Week 15. The Packers need a victory over Buffalo and a Dallas loss to Philadelphia to secure a spot in the postseason. This scenario gives Green Bay a strength of victory tiebreaker over the Cowboys and solidifies a berth as a wild-card team at the very least.
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