NFL Playoff standings and scenarios Week 16

The NFL’s Week 16 schedule will begin tomorrow with the Thursday night game between the New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles. This late in the season, it seems like every game has a part in the clinching scenarios for the playoffs all across the league. And, more teams are starting to appear in the scenarios.

Including, the Miami Dolphins, who show up for the first time this season - and show up with a fairly straight forward scenario. While there are a couple of other ways for Miami to book their ticket for the postseason, all the team needs to have happen is a win on Saturday over the Buffalo Bills, while the Denver Broncos lose in their game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.

All of the Week 16 playoff scenarios are below.

AFC Playoff Picture

1. New England Patriots (12-2) - AFC East champ (Clinched division, first round bye)

2. Oakland Raiders (11-3) - AFC West leader (Clinched playoff berth)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) - AFC North leader

4. Houston Texans (8-6) - AFC South leader

5. Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) - Wildcard 1

6. Miami Dolphins (9-5) - Wildcard 2

NFC Playoff Picture

1. Dallas Cowboys (12-2) - AFC East leader (Clinched playoff berth)

2. Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1) - NFC West champ (Clinched division)

3. Atlanta Falcons (9-5) - AFC South leader

4. Detroit Lions (9-5) - AFC North leader

5. New York Giants (10-4) - Wildcard 1

6. Green Bay Packers (8-6) - Wildcard 2

AFC Playoff Clinching Scenarios

Clinched: New England clinched AFC East and first-round bye; Oakland clinched playoff berth

New England Patriots

Clinches home-field advantage with:

• Win and Oakland loss/tie OR
• Tie and Oakland loss

Oakland Raiders

Clinches AFC West and first-round bye with:

• Win and Kansas City loss/tie OR
• Tie and Kansas City loss

Pittsburgh Steelers

Clinches AFC North with:

• Win

Kansas City Chiefs

Clinches playoff berth with:

• Win/tie OR
• Baltimore loss/tie

Houston Texans

Clinches AFC South with:

• Win and Tennessee loss

Miami Dolphins

Clinches playoff berth with

• Win and Denver loss/tie OR
• Tie and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Houston loss/tie OR
• Tie and Baltimore loss and Denver loss and Tennessee loss/tie

NFC Playoff Clinching Scenarios

Clinched: Dallas clinched playoff berth; Seattle clinched NFC West

Dallas Cowboys

Clinches NFC East and home-field advantage with:

• Win OR
• New York Giants loss/tie

Seattle Seahawks

Clinches first-round bye with:

• Win and Detroit loss and Atlanta loss/tie

New York Giants

Clinches playoff berth with:

• Win OR
• Detroit loss/tie OR
• Green Bay loss/tie OR
• Tampa Bay loss/tie OR
• Atlanta loss

Detroit Lions

Clinches NFC North with:

• Win and Green Bay loss/tie OR
• Tie and Green Bay loss

Clinches playoff berth with:

• Win and Tampa Bay loss/tie OR
• Tie and Tampa Bay loss OR
• Tie and Tampa Bay tie and Atlanta win OR
• Washington loss/tie and Tampa Bay loss and Atlanta win/tie

Atlanta Falcons

Clinches NFC South with:

• Win and Tampa Bay loss/tie OR
• Tie and Tampa Bay loss

Clinches playoff berth with:

• Win and clinch strength of victory over Detroit OR
• Win/tie and Green Bay loss/tie OR
• Win and Detroit loss/tie OR
• Tie and Detroit tie OR
• Washington loss/tie and Green Bay loss OR
• Washington loss/tie and Green Bay tie and Detroit tie

Green Bay Packers

Clinches playoff berth with:

• Win and Washington loss/tie and Tampa Bay loss and Atlanta win/tie and Green Bay clinches strength of victory over Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Clinches playoff berth with:

• Win and Green Bay loss and Detroit loss and Washington loss OR
• Win and Green Bay loss and Detroit loss and Washington tie and Tampa Bay clinches strength of victory over Detroit