5 teams that can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16 

Week 16 began with the Green Bay Packers having already clinched a playoff berth, and the Dallas Cowboys joined them after the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Tennessee Titans 20-17.

The Titans themselves could have booked a playoff berth had the Indianapolis Colts lost to the Arizona Cardinals but that did not transpire.

Right now, there are five teams that can clinch a playoff berth today after the games are done.

We look at the various scenarios each team would need to face and surmount in order to ensure that they can be sure of the playoff berth.

Playoff berths situation in AFC in Week 16

We begin with the AFC, where the two teams that have been the number one seeds in the past two weeks can clinch a playoff spot under various scenarios. The Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots know that a win is vital this week, though the Chiefs could do with a tie if other results go the other way.

If other results simultaneously go their way, they can directly clinch the division title or they can clinch a playoff berth through at least a wild card spot.

#1 - Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs v Los Angeles Chargers

Clinches AFC West division title with:

1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS win + LOS ANGELES CHARGERS loss or tie OR
2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS tie + LOS ANGELES CHARGERS loss

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS win OR
2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS tie + BUFFALO BILLS loss OR
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS tie + INDIANAPOLIS COLTS loss OR
4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS tie + CINCINNATI BENGALS - BALTIMORE RAVENS does not end in a tie

Week 16 opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers

#2 - New England Patriots

New England Patriots v Buffalo Bills

Clinches AFC East division title with:

1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS win + MIAMI DOLPHINS loss or tie

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS win + LAS VEGAS RAIDERS loss or tie + LOS ANGELES CHARGERS loss OR
2. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS win + INDIANAPOLIS COLTS loss or tie + CINCINNATI BENGALS loss OR
3. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS win + INDIANAPOLIS COLTS loss or tie + BALTIMORE RAVENS loss + PITTSBURGH STEELERS loss or tie OR
4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS win + INDIANAPOLIS COLTS loss or tie + LOS ANGELES CHARGERS loss OR
5. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS win + BALTIMORE RAVENS loss + CLEVELAND BROWNS loss or tie + PITTSBURGH STEELERS loss or tie

Week 16 opponent: Buffalo Bills

---

Also Check Out: Complete NFL Week 17 TV Schedule

---

Los Angeles Rams v Arizona Cardinals

Playoff berths situation in NFC in Week 16

The situation in the NFC is not as tight as the AFC for playoff berths. There are clear divisional favorites.

For example, the Green Bay Packers have already locked up the NFC North last week. The Dallas Cowboys also booked a playoff berth.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can follow suit if they win their game or the New Orleans Saints lose, which will result in an NFC South division victory.

The main division of intrigue is the NFC West. The Arizona Cardinals are in a bit of a freefall and missed the chance to book a playoff berth with a win against the Indianapolis Colts.

But they can still make it through this week if, ironically, they fall further behind in the division. If the Los Angeles Rams win tonight, it would ensure that both they and the Arizona Cardinals book playoff berths from the NFC West.

The full picture of the playoff berths for the NFC teams is given below and you can follow the permutations after the games end tonight to see if your team has secured a playoff berth.

#1 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

New Orleans Saints v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Clinches NFC South division title with:

1. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS win or tie OR
2. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS loss or tie

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS loss or tie + PHILADELPHIA EAGLES loss or tie OR
2. MINNESOTA VIKINGS loss or tie + DALLAS COWBOYS win or tie OR
3. MINNESOTA VIKINGS loss or tie + DALLAS COWBOYS clinches at least a tie in strength-of-victory tiebreaker over PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Week 16 opponent: Carolina Panthers

#2 - Los Angeles Rams

Seattle Seahawks v Los Angeles Rams

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. LOS ANGELES RAMS win or tie OR
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES loss or tie + NEW ORLEANS SAINTS loss or tie

Week 16 opponent: Minnesota Vikings

#3 - Arizona Cardinals

Los Angeles Rams v Arizona Cardinals

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES loss or tie + SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS loss OR
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES loss or tie + MINNESOTA VIKINGS loss or tie OR
3. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES loss or tie + NEW ORLEANS SAINTS loss or tie OR

1. MINNESOTA VIKINGS loss or tie + SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS loss OR
2. MINNESOTA VIKINGS loss or tie + NEW ORLEANS SAINTS loss or tie OR
3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS loss or tie + SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS loss

Week 16 opponent: Indianapolis Colts (Arizona Cardinals lost)