Week 16 NFL Playoff Picture and Review of Bracket Scenarios for AFC, NFC

What is shaping up to be a pivotal Week 16 saw its first big development on Thursday night. The Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams on a two-point play in overtime to take control of the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Seattle hasn't locked up its division or the top seed, but it did punch a ticket to the playoffs with Thursday's win.

Several other teams can follow suit over the next three days, while one fringe contender can be officially eliminated.

AFC Standings and Playoff Picture

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Broncos QB Bo Nix

Division Leaders

1. x-Denver Broncos (12-2, AFC West)

2. New England Patriots (11-3, AFC East)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4, AFC South)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6, AFC North)

A full list of playoff-clinching scenarios can be found at NFL.com, but things are fairly straightforward for the AFC's current division-leaders.

The Denver Broncos have already clinched a playoff spot and can clinch the AFC West with a win and a Los Angeles Chargers loss or tie. A win and losses by the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills and Chargers would also give Denver the AFC's No. 1 seed.

A win or tie will clinch a playoff spot for the New England Patriots, who could also clinch via other scenarios and who no longer carry odds for getting in, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

The Jacksonville Jaguars would need help to clinch this week but are -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100) to make the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Steelers are -130 to make the playoffs and cannot clinch in Week 16.

Wild Card Teams

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)

6. Buffalo Bills (10-4)

7. Houston Texans (9-5)

The Buffalo Bills prevented the Patriots from running away with the AFC East by winning in New England last week. Now, Buffalo can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie and a loss by the Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans.

The Chargers can also clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie plus a loss by Indy or Houston. The Texans are still in control of a wild-card spot but cannot punch their ticket this week.

The Chargers are -4000 to make the postseason, while the Texans are -10000. Buffalo making the postseason is off the board.

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)

Neither the Colts nor the Baltimore Ravens can clinch this week, though both remain in the postseason hunt. Indy faces long odds, though, now that it has turned to 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers ahead of a tough remaining schedule.

Indy is not +700 (bet $100 to win $700) to make the playoffs.

Baltimore needs to get through tough matchups against the Patriots and Green Bay Packers before its rematch with Pittsburgh in Week 18. The Ravens are +105 to make the playoffs.

The Ravens dropped their Week 14 game against Pittsburgh 27-22, which gave the Steelers control of the AFC North.

Eliminated

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)

11. Miami Dolphins (6-8)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)

13. New York Jets (3-11)

14. Cleveland Browns (3-11)

15. Tennessee Titans (2-12)

16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)

x-clinched playoffs

NFC Standings and Playoff Picture

AP Photo/John Froschauer

Rams QB Sam Darnold

Division Leaders

1. x-Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West)

2. Chicago Bears (10-4, NFC North)

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5, NFC East)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, NFC South)

Seattle is postseason-bound and can lock up the NFC's top seed by winning its last two games.

The Philadelphia Eagles can clinch the NFC East with a win or a loss by the Dallas Cowboys. The Chicago Bears can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Green Bay Packers and a loss by the Detroit Lions.

The Packers, meanwhile, can also clinch with a win and a Lions loss, meaning Saturday night's game between Chicago and Green Bay will be massive. While the winner won't clinch the NFC North, it will take the reins.

Similarly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cannot clinch this week, but Sunday's game with the Carolina Panthers will move one of the two teams into first place in the NFC South.

The Bears are -370 to make the playoffs, while the Buccaneers are -400.

Wild Card Teams

5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)

As previously mentioned, the Packers can move into the top spot of the NFC North and clinch a playoff berth this week. Green Bay is -800 to make the postseason.

The San Francisco 49ers can also clinch a playoff berth this week. A win over the Colts will get them in, as would a tie and a Lions tie or a Lions loss. San Francisco is -10000 to reach the playoffs.

The Rams are already headed to the postseason.

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-6)

9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)

The Panthers have the clearest path to reaching the postseason. If they beat Tampa Bay on Sunday, they'll take over first place in their division with two games to go. They'll have a tough game in Seattle in Week 17 before visiting Tampa Bay in a Week 18 rematch.

Neither the Panthers nor the Lions can clinch this week, though. Carolina is +300 to make the postseason, which suggests that Vegas still believes that Tampa Bay will shake off its recent funk in time to make a run. Detroit is +145 to make the playoffs.

The Cowboys have become long shots to reach the playoffs and carry +5000 odds to do so. A loss against the Chargers or an Eagles win will eliminate the Cowboys from postseason contention.

Eliminated

11. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

13. New Orleans Saints (4-10)

14. Washington Commanders (4-10)

15. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)

16. New York Giants (2-12)

x-clinched playoffs

Updated Super Bowl Odds

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams +425

Seattle Seahawks +475

Denver Broncos +750

Buffalo Bills +750

Philadelphia Eagles +1100

Houston Texans +1100

New England Patriots +1500

Green Bay Packers +1500

Jacksonville Jaguars +1600

San Francisco 49ers +2200

Los Angeles Chargers +2500

Baltimore Ravens +2500

Detroit Lions +3000

Chicago Bears +3000

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +5000

Pittsburgh Steelers +8000

Carolina Panthers +30000

Indianapolis Colts +50000

Dallas Cowboys +100000

*Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook

Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.