What teams will make the NFL playoffs in 2022? As we hit the stretch run in the National Football League, the intensity is picking up. From this week forward, we have several NFL playoff scenarios to monitor.
Because it’s late in the season and with the way the NFL standings look, multiple teams are facing a win-and-in scenarios. Heading into this week’s action, there’s some NFL playoff-clinching scenarios.
Bookmark this page for weekly updates on the NFL playoff scenarios 2022, including an NFL playoff picture for the NFC and AFC.
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NFC playoff picture
Entering Week 16, four teams in the NFC have clinched a spot in the postseason with a variety of NFL playoff-clinching scenarios. The playoff races are tightening, meaning there will be more clubs punching their ticket to the NFL Playoffs in the next few weeks.
NFL teams who clinched a playoff spot
- Philadelphia Eagles – The Philadelphia Eagles clinched a playoff spot in the NFC by winning in Week 14. They are still fighting to win the NFC East.
- San Francisco 49ers – San Francisco clinched the NFC West with a 21-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. It represented the team’s seventh consecutive win.
- Dallas Cowboys — Despite their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Cowboys were able to clinch a spot in the playoff this past week by virtue of the New York Giants taking out the Washington Commanders.
- Minnesota Vikings — Minnesota’s historic comeback from down 33-0 against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday clinched the NFC North and a playoff appearance.
NFL playoff-clinching scenarios Week 16 – NFC
Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 16 opponent – Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia (13-1) might have to get it done against the Cowboys on Christmas Eve without NFL MVP candidate Jalen Hurts. But among NFL playoff-clinching scenarios in Week 16, this one is pretty clear-cut.
- Scenario 1.) Eagles beat Cowboys, they clinch NFC East and No. 1 seed
- Scenario 2.) Eagles tie Cowboys, they clinch NFC East and No. 1 seed
New York Giants
- Week 16 opponent – Minnesota Vikings
By virtue of their win over the Commanders this past Sunday night, the Giants have a good chance to earn a surprise postseason appearance. Though, their NFL playoff scenarios for Week 16 are somewhat complicated.
Clinch playoff spot
- Scenario 1.) Giants win + Lions and Seahawks losses
- Scenario 2.) Giants win + Lions and Commanders losses
- Scenario 3.) Giants win + Seahawks and Commanders losses
Entering Week 16, these seven NFC teams would make the playoffs.
- Philadelphia Eagles, NFC East (13-1) – BYE
- Minnesota Vikings, NFC North (11-3) – Host No. 7 seed
- San Francisco 49ers, NFC West (10-4) – Host No. 6 seed
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFC South (6-8) – Host No. 5 seed
- Dallas Cowboys, Wild Card 1 (10-4) – Road team vs No. 4 seed
- New York Giants, Wild Card 2 (8-5-1) – Road team vs No. 5 seed
- Washington Commanders, Wild Card 3 (7-6-1) – Road team vs No. 2 seed
NFC playoff hunt
- Seattle Seahawks – 7-7
- Detroit Lions – 7-7
- Green Bay Packers – 6-8
- Carolina Panthers – 5-9
- New Orleans Saints – 5-9
- Atlanta Falcons – 5-9
All NFL playoff scenarios come directly from the league office.
Related: Longest championship, NFL playoff droughts
AFC – NFL playoff-clinching scenarios
Heading into Week 16, there are four AFC teams with NFL playoff scenarios. In the case of the Buffalo Bills, they simply need a win over a Dolphins loss to clinch the AFC East.
Buffalo Bills
- Week 15 opponent: Chicago Bears
The Buffalo Bills (11-3) have already wrapped up a playoff spot in the AFC following their win over the Miami Dolphins on Saturday. They now have a chance to win the division via multiple possibilities in our Week 16 NFL playoff scenarios.
Clinch AFC East
- Scenario 1.) Bills win
- Scenario 2.) Dolphins loss
Cincinnati Bengals
- Week 16 opponent: New England Patriots
Winners of six consecutive games, the defending AFC champion have a pretty clear-cut scenario in our NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 16.
Clinch playoff spot
- Scenario 1.) Bengals win
- Scenario 2.) Jets loss
Baltimore Ravens
- Week 16 opponent: Atlanta Falcons
It remains to be seen if Lamar Jackson will be able to go against Atlanta come Week 16. What we do know is that there’s pressure on the Ravens to come out on top and secure their ticket to the postseason. Though, they’ll need some help in Week 16.
Clinch playoff spot
- Scenario 1.) Ravens win + Jets loss and Patriots loss
- Scenario 2.) Ravens win + Jets loss and Dolphins loss
- Scenario 3.) Ravens win + Patriots loss and Dolphins loss
Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 16 opponent: Indianapolis Colts
Currently one game ahead of multiple teams for one of the final two wildcard spots, the Chargers’ NFL playoff scenarios for Week 16 are pretty clear-cut.
Clinch playoff spot
- Scenario 1.) Chargers win + Jets, Patriots and Raiders losses
Entering Week 16, these seven AFC teams would make the playoffs.
- Buffalo Bills, AFC East (11-3) – BYE
- Hold head-to-head tiebreaker over Kansas City
- Kansas City Chiefs, AFC West (11-3) – Host No. 7 seed
- Cincinnati Bengals, AFC North (10-4) – Host. No. 6 seed
- Tennessee Titans, AFC South (7-7) – Host. No. 5 seed
- Baltimore Ravens, Wild Card 1 (9-5) – Road team vs No. 4 seed
- Los Angeles Chargers, Wild Card 2 (8-6) – Road team vs No. 3 seed
- Miami Dolphins, Wild Card 3 (8-6) — Road team vs No. 2 seed
AFC playoff hunt
- New England Patriots – 7-7
- New York Jets – 7-7
- Jacksonville Jaguars – 6-8
- Las Vegas Raiders – 6-8
- Cleveland Browns – 6-8
