NFL Playoff Scenarios 2021-22: AFC, NFC Week 16 Picture, Postseason Predictions

Kristopher KnoxDec 20, 2021

Four games remain in Week 15, and they could have a significant impact on the NFL's playoff races. Those races are unusually open, as only the Green Bay Packers have clinched a playoff spot.

Green Bay won the NFC North on Sunday when it outlasted the Baltimore Ravens.

As Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk pointed out on Sunday, 28 teams remain alive for the postseason. While several franchises remain long shots, only the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets have officially been eliminated.

It's going to be a wild race to the finish over the final three-plus weeks, Below, you'll find a look at how things currently stand along with predictions for the wild-card round.

AFC, NFC Standings

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Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs 10-4

New England Patriots 9-5

Tennessee Titans 9-5

Cincinnati Bengals 8-6

Indianapolis Colts 8-6

Los Angeles Chargers 8-6

Buffalo Bills 8-6

Baltimore Ravens 8-6

Cleveland Browns 7-6

Pittsburgh Steelers 7-6-1

Miami Dolphins 7-7

Denver Broncos 7-7

Las Vegas Raiders 6-7

New York Jets 3-11

Houston Texans 3-11

Jacksonville Jaguars 2-12

NFC

Green Bay Packers 11-3

Dallas Cowboys 10-4

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10-4

Arizona Cardinals 10-4

Los Angeles Rams 9-4

San Francisco 49ers 8-6

New Orleans Saints 7-7

Washington Football Team 6-7

Minnesota Vikings 6-7

Philadelphia Eagles 6-7

Atlanta Falcons 6-8

Seattle Seahawks 5-8

Carolina Panthers 5-9

Chicago Bears 4-9

New York Giants 4-10

Detroit Lions 2-11-1

Week 15 Playoff Picture

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Ron Schwane/Associated Press

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a chance to claim the NFC South but fell 9-0 to the New Orleans Saints. This left the Packers as the only team to clinch a berth so far—and quarterback Aaron Rodgers tied Brett Favre's franchise touchdown record during the win over the Baltimore Ravens.

"Great work Aaron Rodgers," Favre tweeted. "Keep it going."

Rodgers will have the chance to break the record Saturday against Cleveland. The Browns have a chance to move into a tie for first place in the AFC North on Monday.

The Cincinnati Bengals jumped into first place with a win Sunday coupled with Baltimore's loss. However, Cleveland currently owns the head-to-head tiebreaker and will control its playoff destiny if it can outlast the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Dallas Cowboys can also claim a playoff berth if a tie somehow occurs on Tuesday between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Football Team.

The Arizona Cardinals have a more unlikely clinching scenario that involves a Minnesota Vikings loss or tie and a tie between Washington and Philadelphia. The Los Angeles Rams need the same, along with a win over the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday.

Remaining Week 15 Schedule

Monday, December 20

Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns: 5 p.m. ET on NFL Network

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears: 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC

Tuesday, December 21

Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams: 7 p.m. ET on Fox

Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles: 7 p.m. ET on Fox

Week 16 Scenarios

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Seth Wenig/Associated Press

No AFC team can clinch in the remaining games of Week 15, but things will be different next week. The top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs can clinch the AFC West with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and a loss by the Los Angeles Chargers.

The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills will face off in a game that will give the winner control of the AFC East. Neither team can clinch with a win alone, but the Patriots can clinch with a win and a Miami Dolphins loss.

The Tennessee Titans can clinch the AFC South with a win and a loss by the Indianapolis Colts. Tennessee will take on the San Francisco 49ers, while Indy will battle the Arizona Cardinals.

No team can clinch the AFC North, but the Bengals can win the division if they win out. The Browns can do the same, if they beat the Raiders on Monday. Cincinnati and Cleveland will face off in Week 17.

The Packers hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC. While they can't clinch it in week 16, they're well positioned to keep it. Green Bay plays the Browns and Vikings at home before finishing at the Detroit Lions.

The Dallas Cowboys can clinch in Week 16—assuming they don't on Tuesday. A win over Washington will give the NFC East to Dallas. The Cowboys could also get the title if Washington loses Tuesday and the Eagles lose to the New York Giants next week.

If the Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, they'll be NFC South champions. If they lose, the Saints—who now have two head-to-head wins over Tampa—could still steal the division.