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After Week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season, the Rams and Broncos are officially in the playoffs.�Three more teams also were eliminated from playoff contention, including the Chiefs for the first time since 2014.
So what's at stake in Week 16? Apparently, a lot. Four AFC teams and five NFC teams have a chance to secure a postseason spot this week. Denver could also lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed if four contests go a certain way.
Let's take a look at Week 16 clinching scenarios for 10 teams.
More NFL playoff race coverage:
Projecting the final seeding
FPI ratings for every team
Projected 2026 draft order

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The matchup:�at Cleveland�on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
How the Bills can clinch a playoff berth:
Win + Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)�or
Win + Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET, Monday)
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The matchup:�vs. Jacksonville�on Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Broncos can clinch the AFC West:
Win +�L.A. Chargers loss at Dallas (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
How the Broncos can clinch the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the AFC:
Win + L.A. Chargers loss at Dallas�(1 p.m. ET, Sunday)�+ New England loss at Baltimore (8:20 p.m. ET, Sunday) + Buffalo loss�at Cleveland�(1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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The matchup:�at Denver�on Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Jaguars can clinch a playoff berth:
Win + Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday) or
Win + Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET, Monday)
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The matchup:�at Dallas�on Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Chargers can clinch a playoff berth:
Win + Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday) or
Win + Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET, Monday)
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The matchup:�at Baltimore on Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock
How the Patriots can clinch a playoff berth:
Win or
Houston loss vs. Las Vegas (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday) or
Indianapolis loss vs. San Francisco (8:15 p.m. ET, Monday)

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The matchup:�vs. Green Bay on Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Bears can clinch a playoff berth:
Win + Detroit loss vs. Pittsburgh (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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The matchup:�at Chicago on Saturday, 8:20 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Packers can clinch a playoff berth:
Win + Detroit loss vs. Pittsburgh (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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The matchup:�at Washington on Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, Fox
How the Eagles can clinch the NFC East:
Win�or
Dallas loss at Chargers�(1 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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The matchup:�at Indianapolis on Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
How the 49ers can clinch a playoff berth:
Win�or
Detroit loss vs. Pittsburgh (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)
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The matchup:�at Los Angeles Rams�on Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
How the Seahawks can clinch a playoff berth:
Win or
Detroit loss vs. Pittsburgh (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)

(7) Houston Texans�at (2) New England Patriots
(6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
(5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
Wild-card round bye: (1)�Denver Broncos
(7) Green Bay Packers at (2) Chicago Bears
(6) San Francisco 49ers�at (3) Philadelphia Eagles
(5) Seattle Seahawks�at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Wild-card round bye: (1) Los Angeles Rams