Heading into Week 16, nearly half of the NFL’s teams already have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The season essentially is over for the Bears, Cardinals, Giants, Lions, Falcons, Redskins, Panthers and Buccaneers in the NFC. In the AFC, the same is true for the Bengals, Broncos, Chargers, Dolphins, Jets, Jaguars and Colts.
Only 17 teams still have a shot at the Super Bowl. That’s the lowest amount of teams in this position this late in the season since 2007. But that doesn’t mean there will be a lack of excitement. Many things remain undecided and some of them could be decided this week.
Let’s take a look into the playoff situation for this week.
The AFC playoff picture at the moment
1. Ravens (12-2): The Ravens already have clinched the AFC North. They can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win against Cleveland or a tie paired with either a tie or a loss by either the Patriots or Chiefs.
2. Patriots (11-3): The Patriots already have clinched a playoff spot. They can clinch the division with a win or tie against Buffalo. They also can clinch a first-round by with a win or tie combined with a tie or loss by the Chiefs.
3. Chiefs (10-4): The Chiefs already have clinched the AFC West. They can’t clinch anything more this week.
4. Texans (9-5): The Texans haven’t clinched anything just yet. But they can clinch an AFC South title with a win against the Buccaneers combined with a tie or loss by the Steelers. A tie combined with a tie by the Steelers would earn Houston a wild-card spot.
5. Bills (10-4): The Bills already have clinched a playoff berth. They can’t clinch anything more this week.
6. Steelers (8-6): The Steelers haven’t clinched anything yet. But they currently hold the tiebreaker on the Titans due to a better conference record.
Still in the picture
Titans (8-6): Tennessee can’t be eliminated from playoff contention this week. But the Titans can be eliminated from AFC South contention if the Texans clinch the division.
Browns (6-8): Cleveland’s chances of making the postseason. If the Browns lose to or tie the Ravens this week, they’re out of the playoffs. They also will be eliminated with wins or ties by the Steelers, Titans or Colts.
Raiders (6-8): Oakland also is a long shot. A loss or tie to the Chargers will eliminate the Raiders. They also will be eliminated with wins or ties by the Steelers, Titans or Colts.
The NFC playoff picture at the moment
1. Seahawks (11-3): The Seahawks already have clinched a playoff spot. They currently would be the No. 1 seed because they hold tiebreakers on the 49ers, Packers and Saints.
2. Packers (11-3): Currently hold tiebreaker on Saints because of a better record conference record. The Packers can clinch the NFC North on Monday night with a win or tie against Minnesota.
3. Saints (11-3): The Saints already have clinched the NFC South.
4. Cowboys (7-7); The Cowboys haven’t clinched anything yet. But they can clinch the NFC East with a win against the Eagles.
5. 49ers (11-3): The 49ers already have clinched a playoff spot.
6. Vikings (10-4): Minnesota hasn’t clinched anything yet. But the Vikings can clinch a wild-card spot with a win against the Packers on Monday night or with a loss or tie by the Rams.
Still in the picture
Rams (8-6): Los Angeles can be eliminated with a loss or tie to the 49ers on Saturday night or with a win or tie by the Vikings against the Packers on Monday night.
Eagles (7-7): A loss to Dallas would eliminate Philadelphia from the postseason.
Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
