NFL Playoff Picture: Every scenario for clinching on the line in Week 17

Every NFL Playoff scenario for clinching postseason berths and seeds for Week 17.

It’s nearly impossible for the NFL Playoff picture to be set heading into Week 17. However, it doesn’t feel like that often when there is so much left unsettled as we enter the regular-season finale for the 2020-21 campaign.

Entering Week 17, the Kansas City Chiefs are the only team locked into their current seed, the top spot in the AFC. Meanwhile, the Chiefs, Bills and Steelers have locked up spots in the AFC with four other berths left to be clinched. In the NFC, four tickets have been punched with the final three teams left to be determined to settle the NFL Playoff picture.

Subsequently, the outcome of almost every Week 17 game on the NFL schedule matters a great deal in determining the postseason seeding and/or which teams are involved. So it only stands to reason that we look at each team’s path to the playoffs or the best possible seed.

This is every clinching scenario for every possible playoff team that will be on the line in Week 17.

NFL Playoff Picture: Clinching scenarios for the Week 17 slate

Arizona Cardinals – Of all of the NFL Playoff scenarios in play for Week 17, the Cardinals might have the easiest. Their only chance at the postseason is a win on the road against the Rams, which makes it favorable that LA is without Jared Goff, among others.

Baltimore Ravens – It’s wild that the Ravens went from the top seed in the AFC last year to fighting for a Wild Card berth but here we are. If Baltimore wins at Cincinnati, they’re in. They can also get in if either the Browns or Colts lose should the Ravens fall to the Bengals.

Buffalo Bills – All signs point to the Bills being able to secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC. With a win at home against the Dolphins, they’ll accomplish just that. But they could also lose to Miami, a team fighting for an NFL Playoff berth in their own right, and still get the 2-seed if the Steelers, resting a number of starters, lose at Cleveland.

Chicago Bears – Thanks to Mitchell Trubisky, the Bears are still alive. To get in they either need to beat the rival Packers at Soldier Field or have the Cardinals lose to the Rams on Sunday.

Cleveland Browns – Cleveland got a gift from the NFL gods as the Steelers will be resting a litany of starters in Week 17. If the Browns win, they’re in. But they can also make the playoff if the Titans lose and either the Ravens, Colts or Dolphins win should they somehow lose at home to Pittsburgh.

Dallas Cowboys – Against all odds, the Cowboys can still win the NFC East. They first need to go on the road against the Giants and win. After that, they would need Washington to lose in Philadelphia in primetime for Dallas to take the division and clinch a playoff berth.

Green Bay Packers – The No. 1 seed in the NFC is still at play but the Packers are in the driver’s seat. If they win on Sunday against Chicago on the road, they lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Green Bay can also earn that spot if the Seahawks were to lose at San Francisco.

Indianapolis Colts – Though an outside shot, the Colts can still win the AFC South if they beat the Jaguars (the easy part) and the Titans lose to the Texans (the hard part). But even if Tennessee wins, Indianapolis can earn a Wild Card berth with a win and a loss by either the Ravens, Dolphins or Browns.

Miami Dolphins – While Miami can’t win the AFC East anymore, they still have a good shot at making it into the postseason. Their NFL Playoff hopes will be realized if they win in Buffalo or if the Ravens, Colts or Browns lose on Sunday.

New Orleans Saints – Sean Payton‘s club is another team in play for the No. 1 seed but they not only need to win, they need a little bit of help as well. The Saints victory at Carolina must be coupled with a Packers loss and a Seahawks win for them to earn the top seed in the NFC.

New York Giants – The inverse of what Dallas is facing on Sunday, the Giants will win the NFC East if they can win at home against the Cowboys while also having the Football Team lose on Sunday Night Football.

Los Angeles Rams – The Rams are in a tough spot as they’ll play Week 17 without Goff but, with a win at home against Arizona or with a Bears loss to the Packers on Sunday, Los Angeles will return to the postseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers are locked into either the No. 2 or 3 seed in the AFC and, as mentioned, aren’t totally in control of their own destiny. A short-handed win at the Browns and a Bills loss to the Dolphins at home would give Pittsburgh the second slot. Pittsburgh losing or both teams winning means the Steelers are No. 3.

Seattle Seahawks – Seattle could potentially get the No. 1 seed in the NFC as well. They first need to win on the road against the 49ers and would also need both Green Bay and New Orleans to lose in their respective matchups.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tom Brady and the Bucs have already locked up a playoff berth but, with a win against the Falcons on Sunday, they would also lock up the No. 5 seed and a favorable Wild Card Round matchup against the NFC East champion.

Tennessee Titans – It’s almost assured that the Titans get a playoff spot. They would clinch the AFC South and the No. 4 seed with a win over the struggling Texans or with a Colts loss to the Jaguars. However, Tennessee would also clinch a playoff berth as a Wild Card if the Ravens, Colts or Dolphins lose.

Washington Football Team – Finally, Washington can secure the NFC East title on Sunday Night Football if they can win on the road against the Eagles. With a loss, however, they’re out of the playoffs.