With only 31 games left in the regular season, the NFL playoffs are starting to take shape. The Cleveland Browns secured their spot in the playoffs after a decisive 37-20 win against the Jets on Thursday night, making them the seventh team to do so this year.
Although the Browns were the first to clinch a spot in Week 17, they may not be alone for long. In fact, it’s likely that six more teams will secure their playoff spots by the end of the week. Let’s take a closer look at the playoff scenarios for Week 17:
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
Can clinch AFC South and playoff berth with:
1. Jaguars win over Panthers combined with Colts loss to Raiders AND Texans loss to Titans.
Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
Can clinch AFC West and playoff berth with:
1. Chiefs win or tie vs. Bengals OR
2. Raiders loss or tie to Colts combined with Broncos loss or tie to Chargers
Buffalo Bills (9-6)
The Bills have 14 ways where they could clinch a playoff berth this weekend:
Bills win over Patriots + Steelers loss or tie to Seahawks + Bengals loss or tie to Chiefs OR
Bills win + Steelers loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie to Panthers OR
Bills win + Steelers loss or tie + Texans loss or tie to Titans + Colts loss or tie to Raiders OR
Bills win + Bengals loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie OR
Bills win + Bengals loss or tie + Texans loss or tie + Colts loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss OR
Bills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Texans loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Colts loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Steelers loss + Jaguars loss + Texans loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Steeles loss + Jaguars loss + Colts loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Steelers loss + Texans loss + Colts loss OR
Bills tie + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss + Texans loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss + Colts loss or tie OR
Bills tie + Bengals loss + Texans loss + Colts loss
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Can clinch playoff berth and NFC South title with:
1. Buccaneers win over Saints OR
2. Buccaneers tie combined with Falcons loss to Bears
Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
Can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Rams win over Giants combined with Seahawks loss to Steelers OR
2. Rams win combined with Vikings-Packers tie
Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Can clinch a playoff berth with:
1. Seahawks win over Steelers combined with Vikings-Packers tie
The Eagles are in a position to win the division title in the NFC by beating the Cardinals, as long as the Cowboys lose or tie against Detroit. Another option for the Eagles is to secure the NFC East with a tie, as long as the Cowboys also lose.
Furthermore, the 49ers have a chance to grab the highly sought-after No. 1 seed overall. This depends on their success against the Commanders, and also requires losses from both the Eagles and Lions.
