It’s probably the most great time of the yr—for some NFL franchises, anyway.
With three weeks to go within the 2024 common season, seven groups have formally secured a playoff berth and 9 groups have been formally eradicated. That leaves precisely half the league—16 groups—preventing for his or her postseason goals this weekend.
Yes, even the 5–9 New Orleans Saints mathematically have an opportunity to nonetheless make the NFC playoff bracket.
Of these 16 groups nonetheless alive, 5 can earn a spot into the playoffs this weekend—the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers of the AFC, in addition to the NFC’s Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders. Additionally, playoff-bound groups just like the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs can safe a greater postseason seed this weekend.
Without additional ado, lets get into what groups are taking part in for within the Week 16 slate.
What’s at stake: NFC East division title
How to clinch: Eagles win or tie
Week 16 matchup: at Commanders
Visiting the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, Philadelphia—which already has clinched a playoff berth—can safe its second NFC East title within the final three years with a win or tie. The Eagles are also nonetheless within the combine to land the NFC’s No. 1 seed and are presently knotted with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings for the very best report within the convention.
What’s at stake: Playoff berth
How to clinch: Packers win; Falcons loss/tie + Rams loss/tie; Falcons loss/tie + Seahawks loss/tie
Week 16 matchup: vs. Saints
The Packers are the very best third-place group within the NFL. At 10–4, Green Bay can clinch the NFC North’s third playoff spot with a win over the New Orleans Saints, a group probably taking part in with out injured quarterback Derek Carr. If Green Bay will get upset, nevertheless, it could actually nonetheless crack the postseason area with some assist from an outdated good friend in New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (taking part in the Rams), the New York Giants (taking part in Atlanta), and the Vikings (taking part in the Seahawks).
What’s at stake: Playoff berth
How to clinch: Commanders win + Falcons loss/tie + Rams loss/tie; Commanders win + Falcons loss/tie + Seahawks loss/tie; Commanders win + Falcons loss + Cardinals loss/tie + Rams loss/tie + Seahawks loss/tie (so long as Seattle and Los Angeles each do not tie)
Week 16 matchup: vs. Eagles
The Commanders clinching eventualities are a mouthful this week. But mainly, they cannot clinch a playoff berth this weekend with out defeating division rival Philadelphia at residence. From there, they will be scoreboard watching throughout the league, with plenty of Commanders followers rooting for whoever the Giants begin below heart (howdy, Tim Boyle?) towards Atlanta.
Simply put, Washington would possibly want to attend one other week or two earlier than popping the playoff champagne. But who is aware of? Any given Sunday.
What’s at stake: AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed
How to clinch: Chiefs win + Bills loss/tie; Chiefs tie + Bills loss
Week 16 matchup: vs. Texans
Taylor Swift’s late-game voodoo magic has paved a path for Kansas City to doubtlessly safe the No. 1 seed this weekend. All the Chiefs want is a win over the Houston Texans mixed with MVP candidate Josh Allen and the Bills falling to, gulp, the three–11 New England Patriots.
At this level, although, we’re not ruling something out. Never doubt the facility of the Swifties.
What’s at stake: AFC North division title
How to clinch: Steelers win
Week 16 matchup: at Ravens
We love a straight-forward clinching state of affairs. The Steelers can safe their eighth division title within the Mike Tomlin period with a win over the Baltimore Ravens (9–5) at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday. Pittsburgh did get the very best of Baltimore again in Week 11 with a really AFC North-esque 18–16 win thanks to 6 area objectives from kicker Chris Boswell.
What’s at stake: Playoff berth
How to clinch: Ravens win; Dolphins loss/tie + Colts loss/tie
Week 16 matchup: vs. Steelers
The Ravens do not have the identical luxurious because the playoff-bound Steelers, as coach John Harbaugh’s squad is trying to punch its ticket to a 3rd straight postseason look this weekend. A win over Pittsburgh additionally would preserve Baltimore in rivalry for the AFC North division title. If Baltimore loses, it could actually nonetheless clinch the postseason if San Francisco beats Miami and Tennessee takes down Indianapolis.
What’s at stake: Playoff berth
How to clinch: Broncos win/tie; Dolphins loss/tie + Bengals loss/tie + Colts loss/tie
Week 16 matchup: at Chargers
Do you Bo-lieve? Denver can roll into the playoffs with rookie quarterback Bo Nix by defeating the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football at SoFi Stadium, a win that may avenge a 23–16 loss to Jim Harbaugh and firm in Week 6. If the Broncos lose, nevertheless, losses from all three of the AFC’s 6–8 groups would additionally ship them to the promised land.
What’s at stake: Playoff berth
How to clinch: Chargers win + Dolphins loss/tie + Colts loss/tie; Chargers tie + Dolphins loss + Colts loss + Bengals loss/tie
Week 16 matchup: vs. Broncos
Who’s obtained it higher than the Chargers in Week 16? Nobody … so long as they beat the Broncos in a prime-time conflict. If they’ll pull off a win Thursday evening, the Chargers will enter the weekend hoping the 49ers beat Miami and the Titans defeat Indianapolis.
