NFL Standings 2020-21: Week 16 Records, Playoff Scenarios, Wild-Card Picture

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to make the playoffs. They may just not have much momentum when they get there.

It's also possible they won't be AFC North champions, either. With an opportunity to clinch the division crown in sight on Monday night, Pittsburgh lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-17, falling to 11-3 with its third straight defeat. The Steelers' AFC North lead is now down to one game over the Cleveland Browns (10-4) with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

Pittsburgh opened the season with 11 straight wins, but it's lost to the Washington Football Team, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati the past three weeks. The Bills also took over the No. 2 seed in the AFC after the Steelers' loss.

With two weeks to go, there's still a lot to be decided around the NFL. Here's a look at the playoff pictures in the AFC and NFC, along with a breakdown of Week 16 clinching scenarios.

AFC Standings

Doug Murray/Associated Press

Division Leaders

1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-1, clinched AFC West)

2. Buffalo Bills (11-3, clinched AFC East)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3, clinched playoff berth)

4. Tennessee Titans (10-4)

Wild-Card Leaders

5. Cleveland Browns (10-4)

6. Indianapolis Colts (10-4)

7. Miami Dolphins (9-5)

In the Hunt

8. Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

9. Las Vegas Raiders (7-7)

AFC Week 16 Clinching Scenarios

David Richard/Associated Press

The Browns' 17-year playoff drought could come to an end in Week 16, as they could secure a postseason berth in what would be one of the most noteworthy clinches of the week.

In order to do so, they must beat the 1-13 New York Jets and have one of three results occur: a Dolphins loss/tie to the Raiders; a Ravens loss/tie to the Giants; or a Colts loss to the Steelers. Even if none of those happen, Cleveland can ensure a trip to the playoffs with wins in each of its last two regular-season games.

The Browns also remain alive in the AFC North race. However, Cleveland needs to beat New York and have Pittsburgh lose to Indianapolis in Week 16. The Browns and Steelers then go head-to-head in Week 17, which would be for the division title if those results happen.

At the top of the AFC, the Chiefs are closing in on the No. 1 seed. They just need to win one of their final two games (Week 16 vs. the Falcons, Week 17 vs. the Chargers). Essentially, Kansas City needs to avoid a three-way tie with Buffalo and Pittsburgh, both of which are two games back at 11-3.

The Bills have already clinched the AFC East for the first time since 1995. Now, they can secure the No. 2 seed with a win over the Patriots, a Steelers loss to the Colts and a Titans loss to the Packers. However, only the No. 1 seed gets a first-round bye now, so Buffalo would still be playing on wild-card weekend.

Tennessee could clinch the AFC South in Week 16 if it beats Green Bay while Indianapolis loses to Pittsburgh. At the least, the Titans will clinch a playoff berth with a win or loss by the Dolphins or Ravens.

Week 16 may mark the end of the Raiders' playoff hopes. They'll be eliminated from contention with either a loss to the Dolphins or a Ravens win over the Giants. Things aren't looking good for Las Vegas at this point.

NFC Standings

Mike Roemer/Associated Press

Division Leaders

1. Green Bay Packers (11-3)

2. New Orleans Saints (10-4)

3. Seattle Seahawks (10-4)

4. Washington Football Team (6-8)

Wild-Card Leaders

5. Los Angeles Rams (9-5)

6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5)

7. Arizona Cardinals (8-6)

In the Hunt

8. Chicago Bears (7-7)

9. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

The Dallas Cowboys (5-9), New York Giants (5-9) and Philadelphia Eagles (4-9-1) all remain alive in the NFC East race.

NFC Week 16 Clinching Scenarios

Daniel Kucin Jr./Associated Press

Despite being 6-8, Washington can clinch its first NFC East title since 2015 in Week 16. While all four teams in the division are still alive, Washington would win the crown if it beats Carolina and New York loses/ties against Baltimore.

Even though the Cowboys and Giants are both 5-9, Dallas was swept in its season series against Washington, which makes it more difficult for it to stay in the race. New York swept Washington, though, so it just needs to end up with the same record.

At the top, the Packers could clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC in Week 16. For that to happen, they need to beat the Titans and have the Seahawks lose to the Rams.

The Saints' two-game losing streak has dropped them to 10-4, which has kept the Buccaneers (9-5) alive in the battle for the NFC South title. That race could come to an end soon, though, as New Orleans would clinch the division crown with either a win over Minnesota or a Tampa Bay loss to Detroit.

While the Bears and Vikings are currently still alive in the NFC wild-card race, they could both be eliminated in Week 16, which would happen with the Cardinals clinching a playoff berth. Arizona can secure its spot in the postseason with a win over San Francisco and a Chicago loss to Jacksonville.

Minnesota's only hopes of reaching the playoffs would be if it ends up in a three-way tie for the No. 7 seed with Arizona and Chicago. In that scenario, the Vikings would own the tiebreaker and get into the postseason. So, it's going to take a good bit of help for that to happen.