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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

NFL Week 16 playoff, division-clinching scenarios

The Arizona Cardinals are out of playoff contention but Cardinals fans can pay attention to what is happening in the rest of the league.

Let’s look at the different Week 16 scenarios there are for teams to clinch postseason berths or to win their divisions.

Baltimore Ravens

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens can the AFC North division title if:

  • They beat the 49ers and the Browns either tie or lose to the Texans
  • They tie the 49ers and the Browns lose

Cleveland Browns

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

The Browns can clinch a spot in the playoffs if:

  • They beat the Texans, the Steelers lose (they did), the Broncos lose to or tie the Patriots, the Jaguars lose to the Bucs and the Colts beat the Falcons
  • They beat the Texans, the Steelers lose (they did), the Broncos lose to or tie the Pats, the Dolphins beat or tie the Cowboys and the Colts lose to the Falcons
  • They beat the Texans, the Steelers lose (they did), the Broncos lose to or tie the Pats, the Dolphins beat or tie the Cowboys and the Jaguars lose to the Bucs.

Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs can clinch a playoff berth and win the AFC West if:

  • They beat the Raiders
  • The tie the Raiders and the Broncos lose to the Pats

Miami Dolphins

Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins will clinch a playoff berth if

  • They beat the Cowboys
  • They tie the Cowboys and the Jaguars lose to the Bucs
  • They tie the Cowboys, the Colts lose to the Falcons and the Texans lose to the Browns
  • They tie the Cowboys, the Colts lose to or tie the Falcons and the Browns lose to the Texans

Detroit Lions

 David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions will clinch the NFC North if:

  • They beat or tie the Vikings

They clinch a playoff berth if:

  • The Seahawks lose to or tie the Titans

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 17, 2023.

The 49ers will clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs if:

  • They beat the Ravens, the Eagles lose to the Giants, the Cowboys lose to the Dolphins and the Lions lose to the Vikings

More Cardinals and NFL coverage

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

 

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