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NFL Week 16 Playoff Scenarios - Dolphins can clinch AFC spot

The NFL's penultimate slate of games is upon us, with several teams, including the Miami Dolphins, ready to clinch their berth in the postseason tournament. How can they do it? We answer below.

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL schedule continues to advance toward

Starting in the AFC:

Clinched:

  • Indianapolis clinched AFC South
  • Denver clinched playoff berth
  • Kansas City clinched playoff berth

Denver Broncos (11-3)
Currently 1st in AFC

Denver clinches AFC West division and first-round bye with:

  • Denver win and Kansas City loss

Denver clinches home-field advantage and number one seed with:

  • Denver win and Kansas City loss and New England loss or tie

New England Patriots (10-4)
Currently 2nd in AFC

New England clinches AFC East division title with:

  • New England win or tie OR
  • Miami loss or tie

New England first-round bye with:

  • New England win and Cincinnati loss or tie and Indianapolis loss or tie OR
  • New England tie and Cincinnati loss and Indianapolis loss

New England clinches playoff berth with:

  • Cincinnati loss or tie

Cincinnati Bengals (9-5)
Currently 3rd in AFC

Cincinnati clinches AFC North division title with:

  • Cincinnati win and Baltimore loss or tie OR
  • Cincinnati tie and Baltimore loss

Cincinnati clinches a playoff berth with:

  • Cincinnati win and Miami loss or tie OR
  • Cincinnati tie and Miami loss

Baltimore Ravens (8-6)
Currently 6th in AFC

Baltimore clinches playoff berth with:

  • Baltimore win and Miami loss and San Diego loss or tie

Miami Dolphins (8-6)
Currently 7th in the AFC

Miami clinches a playoff berth with:

  • Miami win and Baltimore loss and Cincinnati loss

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And now in the NFC:

Clinched:

  • Seattle has clinched a playoff berth.

Seattle Seahawks (12-2)
Currently 1st in NFC

Seattle clinches a NFC West division title AND home-field advantage and number one seed with:

  • Seattle win OR
  • San Francisco loss

New Orleans Saints (10-4)
Currently 2nd in NFC

New Orleans clinches NFC South division title and first-round bye with:

  • New Orleans win

New Orleans clinches a playoff berth with:

  • Arizona loss OR
  • New Orleans tie and San Francisco loss or tie OR
  • New Orleans tie and Arizona tie OR
  • San Francisco loss and Arizona tie

Philadelphia Eagles (8-6)
Currently 3rd in NFC

Philadelphia clinches NFC East division title with:

  • Philadelphia win and Dallas loss or tie OR
  • Philadelphia tie and Dallas loss

Chicago Bears (8-6)
Currently 4th in NFC

Chicago clinches NFC North division title with:

  • Chicago win and Detroit loss or tie and Green Bay loss

Carolina Panthers (10-4)
Currently 5th in NFC

Carolina clinches a playoff berth with:

  • Carolina win OR
  • Carolina tie and Arizona loss OR
  • Carolina tie and San Francisco loss OR
  • Arizona loss and San Francisco loss