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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Christian D'Andrea

Which NFL teams can clinch playoff spots in Week 16?

Six teams have already earned their spot in the 2022 NFL Playoffs. Five have no hope of extending their season.

That leaves eight slots remaining for 21 eligible teams. Four more can punch their tickets in Week 16. For the Cincinnati Bengals, a second-straight postseason invite is as simple as a win or even a New York Jets loss. For the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers, things are a bit more complicated.

Those are the four teams with the most at stake Christmas weekend. The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles can also lock down at least one home playoff game and keep their paths to a first round bye with wins. Here’s what every postseason clinching scenario looks like in Week 16.

Cincinnati Bengals: Can clinch a playoff spot

Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports 

The Bengals clinch a postseason bid with:

  • a win or tie against the New England Patriots OR
  • a loss or tie from the New York Jets against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

New York Giants: Can clinch a playoff spot

(AP Photo/Matt Patterson

The Giants clinch a postseason bid with:

  • a win over the Minnesota Vikings, a Washington Commanders loss to the San Francisco 49ers and a Detroit Lions loss to the Carolina Panthers OR
  • a win over the Minnesota Vikings, a Washington Commanders loss to the San Francisco 49ers and a Seattle Seahawks loss to the Kansas City Chiefs OR
  • a win over the Minnesota Vikings, a Detroit Lions loss to the Carolina Panthers and a Seattle Seahawks loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Los Angeles Chargers: Can clinch a playoff spot

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The Chargers clinch a postseason bid with:

  • a win over the Indianapolis Colts, a Las Vegas Raiders loss or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a New England Patriots loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a New York Jets loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars OR
  • a win over the Indianapolis Colts, a Las Vegas Raiders loss or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a New England Patriots loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a New York Jets tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars and a Miami Dolphins loss to the Green Bay Packers OR
  • a win over the Indianapolis Colts, a Las Vegas Raiders loss or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a New England Patriots tie against the Cincinnati Bengals, a New York Jets loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and a Miami Dolphins loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Baltimore Ravens: Can clinch a playoff spot

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens clinch a postseason bid with:

  • a win over the Atlanta Falcons and a Miami Dolphins loss or tie against the Green Bay Packers and a New England Patriots loss or tie against the Cincinnati Bengals OR
  • a win over the Atlanta Falcons and a Miami Dolphins loss or tie against the Green Bay Packers and a New York Jets loss or tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars OR
  • a win over the Atlanta Falcons and a New England Patriots loss or tie against the Cincinnati Bengals and a Miami Dolphins loss or tie against the Green Bay Packers OR
  • a tie against the Atlanta Falcons and a New England Patriots loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a New York Jets loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars OR
  • a tie against the Atlanta Falcons and a New England Patriots loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a Miami Dolphins loss to the Green Bay Packers and a Los Angeles Chargers win over the Indianapolis Colts OR
  • a tie against the Atlanta Falcons and a New England Patriots loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a Miami Dolphins loss to the Green Bay Packers and a New York Jets tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars OR
  • a tie against the Atlanta Falcons and a New England Patriots loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and a New York Jets tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars and a Los Angeles Chargers tie against the Indianapolis Colts OR

    a tie against the Atlanta Falcons and a New England Patriots tie against the Cincinnati Bengals and a Miami Dolphins loss to the Green Bay Packers and a New York Jets loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars OR

  • a tie against the Atlanta Falcons and a New England Patriots tie against the Cincinnati Bengals and a Miami Dolphins loss to the Green Bay Packers and a New York Jets tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars and a Los Angeles Chargers win over the Indianapolis Colts OR
  • a New England Patriots loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a New York Jets loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a Cleveland Browns loss or tie against the Carolina Panthers, a Las Vegas Raiders loss or tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a Tennessee Titans loss or tie against the Houston Texans and a Los Angeles Chargers win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Buffalo Bills: Can clinch AFC East

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

The Bills clinch the AFC East title with:

  • a win or tie against the Chicago Bears OR
  • a Miami Dolphins loss or tie against the Green Bay Packers.

Philadelphia Eagles: Can clinch NFC East and homefield advantage through the postseason

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The Eagles clinch the NFC East title with:

  • a win or tie against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles clinch the NFC’s top seed, homefield advantage through the playoffs and the conference’s lone bye with:

  • a win over the Dallas Cowboys OR
  • a tie against the Dallas Cowboys and a Minnesota Vikings loss or tie against the New York Giants.
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