Last Updated on December 16, 2020
The NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture grows clearer every week. Four teams — the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, and New Orleans Saints — have already clinched the playoffs. Those four teams are still battling for seeding. Remember, only one team gets a bye in each conference this year so those No. 1 seeds are even more valuable than usual.
However, there are still plenty of teams that are scratching and clawing to secure a playoff spot. There are five teams that can clinch a playoff spot this weekend. In the AFC, the Bills (10-3) are one win away from clinching a division title. The Titans (9-4) need a win and a few other games to break their way.
When it comes to the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams (9-4), Seattle Seahawks (9-4), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) are all on the verge of clinching a playoff berth. The Rams and Seahawks are still battling for the NFC West crown, but both teams are going to be in the playoffs, barring a late-season collapse. The Buccaneers likely won’t clinch until Week 16 or 17, but there is a specific scenario they can seal their fate this week.
Here are some of the playoff-clinching scenarios that will be in play in Week 15.
Buffalo Bills
Division Title
- BUF win, OR
- MIA loss, OR
- BUF tie + MIA tie
Playoffs
- BUF tie + BAL loss or tie, OR
- BAL loss
Kansas City Chiefs
No. 1 Seed (First-Round Bye)
- KC win + PIT loss + BUF loss or tie
Pittsburgh Steelers
Division Title
- PIT win, OR
- CLE loss, OR
- PIT tie + CLE tie
Tennessee Titans
Playoffs
- TEN win + BAL loss OR
- TEN win + LV loss or tie + MIA loss + CLE win or tie OR
- TEN win + LV loss or tie + MIA loss + TEN or CLE clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over MIA
Los Angeles Rams
Playoffs
- LAR win or tie, OR
- MIN-CHI tie
New Orleans Saints
Division Title
- NO win OR
- TB loss OR
- NO tie + TB tie
Seattle Seahawks
Playoffs
- SEA win or tie, OR
- MIN-CHI tie
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Playoffs
- TB win + MIN-CHI tie
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