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9 NFL Teams Can Officially Clinch Playoff Spots This Week

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 1:11 PM ET

The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams became the first teams to clinch an NFL playoff berth. Nine teams will fight for the opportunity to join them in Week 16.

Several spots are up for grabs throughout the week, and four teams only need a win to punch a playoff ticket. Making matters more interesting, all but one team has postseason implications at hand in the week's five primetime games.

Here's a look at which NFL teams can earn a playoff spot in Week 16.

AFC Clinching Scenarios

The Patriots have the most straightforward path to garnering an AFC playoff ticket this week. Although they can't secure an AFC East title this weekend, they'd clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night.

They may have reason to celebrate before that primetime clash's kickoff. They can also clinch if the Houston Texans lose to (or tie) the Las Vegas Raiders or the Indianapolis Colts fall to (or tie) the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.

The Colts and Texans hold the keys to which other teams can clinch in Week 16. The Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Chargers can each secure a playoff berth with a win and loss/tie from one of those two AFC South squads. They could also each clinch with a tie and Colts or Texans loss.

Theoretically, the entire conference could be locked down beyond the AFC North and a final wild-card spot. Nine teams are mathematically alive after Week 15.

NFC Clinching Scenarios

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 26: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with head coach Nick Sirianni after their 55-23 win over the Washington Commanders during the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 26, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The NFC playoff picture could also become much clearer after the Week 16 slate.

The Philadelphia Eagles can snap a peculiar trend by becoming the NFC East's first back-to-back champions in 21 years. They'll clinch the division with a win over the Washington Commanders or a Dallas Cowboys loss to the Chargers (or Eagles and Cowboys ties).

Three NFC West teams could be in the playoffs by the end of Monday night. Seattle can start the week by clinching a playoff berth with a win or tie against the Rams on Thursday night. The 49ers can end the week on a high note for themselves and several AFC contenders by defeating the Colts on Monday.

Either one could also back into a playoff spot if the Detroit Lions lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who can't clinch the AFC North yet.

That Lions game may also affect two of their NFC North rivals. The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers can each clinch a playoff ticket with a win and Lions loss or tie, or a tie and a Lions loss, when they play each other on Saturday night.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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