NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: Scenarios for AFC and NFC 2015 Postseason Matchups

Four teams claimed playoff berths in Week 15, and three of those teams earned division titles. The three AFC teams to clinch their respective divisions were the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. On the NFC side, the Arizona Cardinals became the first squad to officially punch its ticket to the postseason.

While those four teams already secured positions to play in January, they are all still in very close fights for position with the eight other teams within the current playoff picture and nine more that are on the outside but still alive and kicking.

That's right, there may only be two weeks left in the season, but there are a total of 21 teams able to clinch postseason berths. With an abundance of forthcoming playoff scenarios in Week 16, expect much of that to get sorted out in short order.

Before we delve into the matchups and scenarios that will help shape the playoffs, here's a look at how the current postseason picture looks heading into Week 16.

Updated Playoff Picture

AFC Seed	Team	NFC Seed	Team
1	(x) New England Patriots (11-3)	1	(x) Arizona Cardinals (11-3)
2	(x) Denver Broncos (11-3)	2	Detroit Lions (10-4)
3	(x) Indianapolis Colts (10-4)	3	Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
4	Cincinnati Bengals (9-4-1)	4	New Orleans Saints (6-8)
5	Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5)	5	Seattle Seahawks (10-4)
6	Baltimore Ravens (9-5)	6	Green Bay Packers (10-4)

AFC in the hunt: Kansas City Chiefs (8-6), San Diego Chargers (8-6), Buffalo Bills (8-6), Houston Texans (7-7), Miami Dolphins (7-7), Cleveland Browns (7-7)

NFC in the hunt: Philadelphia Eagles (9-5), Carolina Panthers (5-8-1), Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

Week 16 Playoff-Clinching Scenarios

AFC

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

The Patriots are already locked into the top four as the AFC East champions. However, Tom Brady and Co. just needs a win over the lowly New York Jets in Week 16 to clinch a first-round bye. This is a very familiar position for New England, as the team has now won the division 12 out of the last 14 years, playing in the Wild Card Round just three times in that span.

The Broncos hold the second piece of the puzzle for the Patriots, as a Denver loss and a New England win would assure Bill Belichick's team of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Peyton Manning and Co. travel east to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 16, and a victory will earn the Broncos a first-round bye.

Cincinnati doesn't have an easy path to the AFC North title. It needs a victory over Denver as well as losses by both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens to claim the division this week. In fact, the Bengals can qualify for the postseason even before they play on Monday. They're in if the Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills all suffer losses.

The Steelers have it a bit easier than their division counterparts. They can earn a playoff spot simply by beating Kansas City. Baltimore, on the other hand, needs some help. It needs to win and have both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati lose, or a win and losses by Kansas City and San Diego.

NFC

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Arizona is already in the playoffs. However, it can earn a division title with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. Of course, that will be easier said than done, as the Cardinals are starting third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley against one of the league's best defenses.

Speaking of good defenses, the Detroit Lions have several clinching scenarios. They can earn the NFC North crown with a win and a Green Bay Packers loss, and adding a Dallas Cowboys loss to that equation earns Detroit a first-round bye. Still, with the Packers set to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, it's more likely this division comes down to a Week 17 showdown between the Lions and Green Bay.

Luckily for Detroit, earning a playoff spot isn't likely to come down to the season's final game. A victory over the Chicago Bears or a loss by the Philadelphia Eagles ensures the Lions will participate in the postseason.

The NFC East could also be settled in Week 16. If the Cowboys defeat the Colts and the Eagles lose to the Washington Redskins, Tony Romo and Co. will take the division. Unfortunately for Philadelphia, it must wait until Week 17 to have any kind of clinching scenario.

There are plenty of ways the Seahawks can earn a playoff spot this week. A victory over the Cardinals puts this team atop the NFC West, but it doesn't clinch the division. Seattle must win again in Week 17 to gain that honor. However, it's likely this team punches its ticket to the postseason this week.

If the Seahawks beat the Cardinals, losses by either the Eagles, Lions or Packers would ensure a playoff spot. In fact, Seattle doesn't even need to play to earn a trip to the postseason. It gets in if Philadelphia loses and Dallas wins.

Much like Seattle, Green Bay's playoff hopes rest with the outcome of NFC East contests. If the Packers win, a Philadelphia loss or a Dallas win would ensure them of a spot in the playoffs. Also like the Seahawks' scenario, Green Bay clinches with a loss by Philadelphia and a win by Dallas.

Then there's the curious case of the NFC South. The Saints hold the division lead entering Week 16, and they can take the crown with a win in a pivotal contest over the Atlanta Falcons and a Carolina Panthers loss to the Cleveland Browns. Still, the Falcons do control their own fate, as wins over the Saints and Panthers in Weeks 16 and 17 will give them the division.