Heading into Week 16, there had only been two playoff spots clinched around the NFL, but that number has grown to seven heading into Monday night.
The Seattle Seahawks became the third team to punch their ticket and that happened on Thursday night following their wild 38-37 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Philadelphia Eagles are also headed to the playoffs after clinching the NFC East with a Saturday win over the Commanders. The Eagles are the first team to clinch a division title this year.
The Bears and 49ers both got an early Christmas present on Sunday with Detroit’s 29-24 loss to Pittsburgh. Both teams needed a Lions loss to clinch a playoff spot and that’s exactly what happened. And on Sunday night in Baltimore, the New England Patriots rallied to beat the Ravens to punch their ticket to the playoffs.
The Bears, 49ers, Seahawks, Eagles and Patriots join the Broncos and Rams, who both clinched a playoff spot in Week 15. Now all eyes will be on the Monday night game, where a 49ers win over the Colts means three more AFC teams will clinch a playoff spot.
Let’s take a look at the remaining clinching scenarios for Week 16.
Buffalo Bills (11-4)
Going into Week 16, the Bills had multiple scenarios for clinching a playoff berth, but now, there’s just one: Buffalo will officially clinch a spot if the Colts lose to the 49ers on Monday night.
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
Like the Bills, the Jaguars only have one scenario left that can clinch them a playoff spot this week. After beating the Broncos on Sunday, Jacksonville now needs the Colts to lose to the 49ers on Monday night. If that happens, Jacksonville will officially clinch a playoff spot.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
As it turns out, there will be three different teams cheering against the Colts on Monday night. The Chargers, Jaguars and Bills will all clinch a playoff spot if Indianapolis loses.
NOTE: The Packers can NO LONGER clinch a playoff spot in Week 16. They had two scenarios where they could have clinched this week, but they had to either beat the Bears or tie the Bears on Saturday. Instead, the Packers ended up losing, which means Green Bay will now have to wait until Week 17 at the earliest to possibly clinch a playoff spot.
Let’s take a look at who’s in and who’s out so far:
1. *Seahawks (12-3) — NFC West leader
2. *Bears (11-4) — NFC North leader
3. *Eagles (10-5) — NFC East leader
4. Panthers (8-7) — NFC South leader
5. *Rams (11-4)
6. *49ers (10-4)
7. Packers (9-5-1)
- NFC playoff spots clinched: Rams, Eagles, Seahawks, Bears, 49ers
- NFC teams eliminated: Vikings, Falcons, Saints, Commanders, Cardinals, Giants, Cowboys
Now, let’s check out the AFC:
1. *Broncos (12-3) — AFC West leader
2. *Patriots (12-3) — AFC East leader
3. Jaguars (11-4) — AFC South leader
4. Steelers (9-6) — AFC North leader
5. Chargers (11-4)
6. Bills (11-4)
7. Texans (10-5)
The Cowboys were the only team that could be eliminated from playoff contention this week and that happened when the Eagles beat the Commanders.
