How NY Giants, Miami Dolphins can clinch playoff spot
There are still several portions of the NFL playoff picture up in the air with two weekends left in the regular season.
In the AFC, Buffalo can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and a Chiefs loss. The Bills, though, have a tough test at Cincinnati on Monday night. The Bengals can clinch the AFC North with a win and a Ravens loss to the Steelers. Miami can also clinch a playoff berth with a win and help.
In the NFC, the Bucs can clinch the NFC South with a win. But a Panthers win on Sunday means Carolina controls its destiny heading into Week 18 and would need just a win at New Orleans to clinch the division next week.
Philadelphia faces the Saints and can clinch the NFC East and the No. 1 seed with a win. Dallas’ win Thursday means the Eagles must win Sunday to avoid a meaningful Week 18. The Giants and Commanders can clinch playoff berths this week, but Washington will need a win and a lot of help to clinch before next week.
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Take a look at the updating Week 17 playoff picture with scenarios.
AFC Playoff Picture
Division leaders
1. Buffalo Bills (12-3) clinched AFC East
This week: at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. CT Monday on ESPN and ABC
Remaining schedule: vs. New England
CLINCHING SCENARIOS: Bills clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed and home field advantage with a win and a Chiefs loss.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) clinched AFC West
This week: vs. Denver, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at Las Vegas
3. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) AFC North leaders; clinched playoff berth
This week: vs. Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. CT Monday on ESPN and ABC
Remaining schedule: vs. Baltimore
CLINCHING SCENARIOS: Bengals clinch the AFC North with a win and a Ravens loss or tie OR a tie and a Ravens loss.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) AFC South leaders
This week: at Houston, 12 p.m. CT Sunday on CBS
Remaining schedule: vs. Tennessee
Wild cards
5. Baltimore Ravens (10-5) clinched playoff berth
This week: vs. Pittsburgh, 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday on NBC
Remaining schedule: at Cincinnati
6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) clinched playoff berth
This week: vs. LA Rams 3:25 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at Denver
7. Miami Dolphins (8-7)
This week: at New England, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: vs. NY Jets
CLINCHING SCENARIOS: Dolphins clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Jets loss or tie OR a tie, a Jets loss and a Steelers loss or tie.
Outside looking in
8. New England Patriots (7-8)
This week: vs. Miami, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at Buffalo
9. New York Jets (7-8)
This week: at Seattle, 3:05 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at Miami
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8)
This week: at Baltimore, 7:20 p.m. CT Sunday on NBC
Remaining schedule: vs. Cleveland
11. Tennessee Titans (7-9)
This week: Lost 27-13 vs. Dallas
Remaining schedule: at Jacksonville
12. Las Vegas Raiders (6-9)
This week: vs. San Francisco, 3:05 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: vs. Kansas City
Eliminated from playoff contention
Cleveland Browns (6-9)
Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1)
Denver Broncos (4-11)
Houston Texans (2-12-1)
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NFC playoff picture
Division leaders
1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-1) NFC East leaders; clinched playoff berth
This week: vs. New Orleans, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: vs. NY Giants
CLINCHING SCENARIOS: The Eagles clinch the NFC East with a win OR a Cowboys loss or tie. The Eagles clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC and home field advantage with a win OR a tie and a Vikings loss or tie OR a Cowboys loss or tie, a Vikings loss and a 49ers loss or tie.
2. Minnesota Vikings (12-3) clinched NFC North
This week: at Green Bay, 3:25 p.m. CT Sunday on CBS
Remaining schedule: at Chicago
3. San Francisco 49ers (10-4) clinched NFC West
This week: at Las Vegas, 3:05 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: vs. Arizona
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) NFC South leaders
This week: vs. Carolina, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at Atlanta
CLINCHING SCENARIOS: The Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South with a win.
Wild cards
5. Dallas Cowboys (12-4) clinched playoff berth
This week: Won 27-13 at Tennessee
Remaining schedule: at Washington
6. New York Giants (8-6-1)
This week: vs. Indianapolis, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at Philadelphia
CLINCHING SCENARIOS: The Giants clinch a playoff berth with a win OR a tie, a Seahawks loss or tie and a Commanders loss or tie OR a tie, a Seahawks loss or tie and a Lions loss or tie OR a tie, a Commanders loss or tie, a Lions loss or tie and a Packers loss or tie OR a Seahawks loss and a Commanders loss OR a Seahawks loss, a Lions loss and a Packers loss or tie OR a Commanders loss, a Lions loss and a Packers loss.
7. Washington Commanders (7-7-1)
This week: vs. Cleveland, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: vs. Dallas
CLINCHING SCENARIOS: The Commanders clinch a playoff berth with a win, a Seahawks loss, a Lions loss and a Packers loss or tie.
Outside looking in
8. Seattle Seahawks (7-8)
This week: vs. NY Jets, 3:05 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at LA Rams
9. Detroit Lions (7-8)
This week: vs. Chicago, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: at Green Bay
10. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
This week: vs. Minnesota, 3:25 p.m. CT Sunday on CBS
Remaining schedule: vs. Detroit
11. Carolina Panthers (6-9)
This week: at Tampa Bay, 12 p.m. CT Sunday on FOX
Remaining schedule: at New Orleans
12. New Orleans Saints (6-9)
This week: at Philadelphia, 12 p.m. CT Sunday
Remaining schedule: vs. Carolina
