NFL Playoffs 2015-16: AFC, NFC Postseason Predictions Heading into Week 15
NFL Week 15 will be a big one for the 2015-16 playoff picture, as multiple teams can clinch a berth with wins (and several others can with some contingencies) this week.
First we'll break down what the current NFL playoff picture looks like heading into Week 15, given the current projected top seeds for each conference.
Then we'll examine all the various clinching scenarios that could play out for both AFC and NFC teams this week in their respective matchups and predict which teams will leave this weekend with a playoff spot, home-field advantage and/or a first-round bye.
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| 1 | New England Patriots | 11-2 |
| 2 | Cincinnati Bengals | 10-3 |
| 3 | Denver Broncos | 10-3 |
| 4 | Indianapolis Colts | 6-7 |
| 5 | Kansas City Chiefs | 8-5 |
| 6 | New York Jets | 8-5 |
| 1 | Carolina Panthers | 13-0 |
| 2 | Arizona Cardinals | 11-2 |
| 3 | Green Bay Packers | 9-4 |
| 4 | Washington Redskins | 6-7 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 8-5 |
| 6 | Minnesota Vikings | 8-5 |
In addition to the projected top six seeds in each conference, there are also plenty of teams still in the hunt for a playoff berth, though that group will be whittled down after the Week 15 games are concluded.
In the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5), Oakland Raiders (6-7), Buffalo Bills (6-7), Houston Texans (6-7) and Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) are all still hoping to dethrone some of the top dogs in the conference.
In the AFC South, where no team currently has a winning record, the Colts are at the helm. That could change this week.
As for the NFC, multiple teams are still alive, however improbable their playoff hopes may be.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7), Atlanta Falcons (6-7), Philadelphia Eagles (6-7), New York Giants (6-7), St. Louis Rams (5-8), Chicago Bears (5-8), New Orleans Saints (5-8) and Dallas Cowboys (4-9) are still in the race.
Let's take a look at the potential clinching scenarios that could play out in Week 15 and predict which teams will earn their berth or a first-round bye.
Clinching Scenarios
AFC Clinching Scenarios and Predictions
New England Patriots
The Patriots, currently projected to be the No. 1 seed entering the playoffs, have obviously already clinched their berth. But this week they also are looking to lock up a first-round bye.
New England can accomplish that with a:
- NE win + DEN loss OR
- NE win + CIN loss + DEN tie
Don't worry about that scenario too much. The Patriots take on the 3-10 Titans this week and are favored at minus-12.5.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are coming off a loss to the Oakland Raiders and face a surging Pittsburgh Steelers team attempting to secure its own playoff spot.
Prediction: New England wins and Denver loses. The Patriots clinch a first-round bye.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals can accomplish two things this weekend: They can clinch their own division title, and they can also secure a playoff spot.
Cincinnati can clinch the AFC North in the following scenarios:
- CIN win or tie + PIT tie OR
- PIT loss
A Steelers loss, as discussed above, doesn't seem all that likely in Week 15. Pittsburgh is favored at minus-6.5.
Fortunately for the Bengals, however, they control their own destiny. They can capture a playoff spot with a:
- CIN win OR
- NYJ loss OR
- KC loss OR
- CIN tie + KC tie OR
- CIN tie + NYJ tie
The Bengals face 4-9 San Francisco this week, and even without injured quarterback Andy Dalton, it's safe to say that Cincinnati will leave Week 15 having at least secured its entry into the postseason.
Prediction: Cincinnati beats San Francisco and clinches a playoff berth but does not yet claim the division title.
Denver Broncos
The 10-3 Denver Broncos finally have a chance to clinch a playoff berth in Week 15, but they can do one better and secure the AFC West as well.
Here's how Denver can clinch the division title:
- DEN win + KC loss or tie OR
- DEN tie + KC loss
Meanwhile, like Cincinnati, the Broncos also control their own destiny. Denver can earn its playoff spot with the following scenarios:
- DEN win OR
- DEN tie + NYJ loss
The Brock Osweiler-led Broncos draw a tough matchup this week against a red-hot Steelers team and, in fact, are the underdogs in the latest spread. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have an easier draw against a flailing Baltimore Ravens team, making both of Denver's playoff scenarios difficult to achieve.
Prediction: Denver loses and Kansas City wins. The Broncos wait another week to secure a playoff berth or a division title.
NFC Clinching Scenarios and Predictions
Carolina Panthers
The undefeated Carolina Panthers are already doing pretty well for themselves in the postseason picture, so far having clinched the NFC South title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
In Week 15, however, Carolina will go for the postseason's biggest prize: home-field advantage.
The Panthers can secure that with a:
- CAR win + ARI loss or tie OR
- CAR tie + ARI loss
The Panthers aren't as favored as you might expect in their matchup with the New York Giants, at minus-four points. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals aren't likely to fall victim to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Prediction: Carolina wins but so does Arizona. Carolina does not clinch home-field advantage in Week 15.
Arizona Cardinals
Speaking of the Cardinals, they're trying to lock up the NFC West in Week 15. Here's how that can happen:
- ARI win or tie OR
- SEA loss or tie
If the Cardinals beat the Eagles and want to take it a step further and secure a first-round bye, they can do so if this happens:
- ARI win + GB loss or tie OR
- ARI tie + GB loss
That scenario is certainly possible, as the inconsistent Packers travel to Oakland in Week 15.
However, with Packers coach Mike McCarthy taking over play-calling in Week 14, the team looked a lot more focused. Arizona can complete one out of its two goals on Sunday.
Prediction: Arizona wins and clinches a division title. The Packers win, so the Cardinals do not secure a first-round bye in Week 15.
Green Bay Packers
This has been a wild up-and-down season for the Green Bay Packers, who won their first six games and then lost four of seven after their bye week.
The team can inject some stability back into its season by winning its game with the Oakland Raiders on Sunday and securing its entry into the playoffs.
However, there are other ways Green Bay can earn a berth:
- GB win or tie OR
- TB loss or tie + WAS loss or tie OR
- TB loss or tie + NYG loss or tie
The Packers are favored over the Raiders by 2.5 points. While Khalil Mack and the Oakland defense could cause some trouble for Aaron Rodgers, expect Coach McCarthy to get this offense rolling and to feature Eddie Lacy and the run game.
Prediction: Packers win and clinch a playoff berth.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks were only 4-4 heading into their Week 9, but they've won their last four games and are prepared to muscle their way into the NFC playoff race.
They'll have to do that without top running back Marshawn Lynch and backup Thomas Rawls, both injured, but so far Russell Wilson is proving he's more than capable of handling things on his own.
A matchup with the Browns provides Seattle a solid opportunity to win its fifth-straight game, but even so the Seahawks don't control their own destiny.
Seattle can secure a playoff spot in Week 15 with a:
- SEA win + TB loss or tie + NYG loss or tie OR
- SEA win + TB loss or tie + WAS loss or tie OR
- SEA win + TB loss or tie + ATL loss or tie + MIN loss + GB win or tie OR
- SEA tie + TB loss + ATL loss or tie + NYG loss OR
- SEA tie + TB loss + ATL loss or tie + WAS loss + PHI loss or tie
If the Seahawks keep playing at their current level, they'll likely earn a postseason berth. But there's a lot involved for that to happen in Week 15.
Prediction: Seattle wins but does not clinch a playoff spot in Week 15.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are only one game behind the Packers in the NFC North, but that one loss has done a number on their ability to seal their place in the playoffs in Week 15.
While Minnesota is still considered a favorite to earn the No. 6 seed in the NFC, clinching a berth this week will be tricky.
Here are the various scenarios that would need to happen for Minnesota to clinch:
- MIN win + TB loss or tie + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss or tie OR
- MIN win + TB loss or tie + WAS loss or tie + SEA loss or tie OR
- MIN win + TB loss or tie + NYG loss or tie + ATL loss or tie OR
- MIN win + TB loss or tie + NYG loss or tie + SEA loss or tie OR
- MIN tie + TB loss + ATL loss or tie + PHI loss or tie + WAS loss OR
- MIN tie + TB loss + ATL loss or tie + PHI loss or tie + NYG loss OR
- MIN tie + TB loss + ATL loss or tie + WAS loss or tie + NYG loss or tie (as long as WAS and NYG both don't tie)
Minnesota has a winnable matchup against the Chicago Bears, but as the scenarios above demonstrate, winning alone won't be enough to clinch this week.
Both the Seahawks and the Vikings will be hoping that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leave Week 15 with a loss, but the Bucs have a favorable matchup against the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night.
Prediction: Minnesota wins but does not secure a playoff berth in Week 15.
Clinching scenarios via ESPN.com. NFL odds via Odds Shark and current as of Dec. 16.
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