The first of 14 spots in the NFL playoffs was clinched last week. Now as we head into Week 15, teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens each have NFL playoff clinching scenarios on Sunday.
While the teams leading the NFL playoff picture are likely to make the postseason anyways, it’s always nice to do it early. With some favorable matchups this weekend and even better results around the league, clubs like the Cowboys, Ravens, Eagles and Detroit Lions could be celebrating after Sunday afternoon.
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Let’s dive into the NFL playoff clinching scenarios entering Week 15, per NFL.com.
Week 15 playoff clinching scenarios – NFC
Here are the NFL playoff clinching scenarios in the NFC for Week 15. Only one team can clinch the division and a home game in the Wild Card round this week.
Dallas Cowboys – 10-3
- Next Game: Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills
- Remaining Opponents: @ Miami Dolphins (Dec. 24), vs Detroit Lions (Dec. 30), @ Washington Commanders (Jan. 7)
Related: Stats to know for Dallas Cowboys vs Buffalo Bills
Clinch playoff spot with:
- Cowboys win OR tie
- Rams loss OR tie + Seahawks loss OR tie
- Packers loss + Rams loss/tie + Falcons loss/tie
- Packers loss + Falcons loss/tie + Seahawks loss/tie
- Packers loss + Falcons loss/tie + Lions win/tie
- Buccaneers loss + Rams loss/tie
- Buccaneers loss + Seahawks loss/tie
- Buccaneers loss + Lions win/tie
- Buccaneers loss + 49ers win/tie + Lions win/tie
- Buccaneers loss + Lions win/tie + Rams loss/tie
- Buccaneers/Packers tie + Rams loss/tie
- Buccaneers/Packers tie + Seahawks loss/tie
- Buccaneers/Packers tie + Lions win/tie
Detroit Lions – 9-4
- Next Game: vs Denver Broncos
- Remaining Opponents: @ Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 24), @ Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 30), vs Vikings (Jan. 7)
Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for the Detroit Lions in Week 15.
Clinch playoff spot with
- Lions win + Seahawks loss/tie
- Lions win + Rams loss/tie + Buccaneers loss
- Lions win + Rams loss/tie + Falcons loss/tie + Packers loss
- Lions win + Packers/Buccaneers tie + Rams loss/tie
- Lions tie + Buccaneers loss + Seahawks loss + Rams loss
- Lions tie + Packers loss + Seahawks loss + Rams loss
- Lions tie + Rams loss + Seahawks loss + Falcons loss
- Lions tie + Packers loss + Seahawks loss + Falcons loss
- Lions tie + Packers loss + Rams loss + Falcons loss + Saints loss
- Lions tie + Packers/Buccaneers tie + Seahawks loss + Rams tie
- Lions tie + Packers/Buccaneers tie + Seahawks loss + Falcons loss/tie
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Philadelphia Eagles – 10-3
- Next Game: @ Seattle Seahawks
- Remaining Opponents: vs New York Giants, (Dec. 25), vs Arizona Cardinals (Dec. 31), @ Giants (Jan. 7)
The Philadelphia Eagles can clinch a playoff spot in Week 15 under the following scenarios.
Clinch playoff spot with
- Eagles win OR tie
- Packers loss + Falcons loss/tie + Rams loss/tie
- Packers loss + Falcons loss/tie + 49ers win/tie + Lions win
- Buccaneers loss + Rams loss/tie
- Buccaneers loss + 49ers win/tie + Lions win
- Falcons loss/tie + Rams loss/tie
- Falcons loss/tie + 49ers win/tie + Lions win
- Packers/Buccaneers tie + Rams loss/tie
- Packers/Buccaneers tie + 49ers win/tie + Lions win
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San Francisco 49ers – 10-3
- Next Game: @ Arizona Cardinals
- Remaining Opponents: vs Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 25), @ Washington Commanders (Dec. 31), vs Los Angeles Rams (Jan. 7)
Having already clinched a playoff berth, the San Francisco 49ers can win the NFC West in Week 15 under the following scenarios.
Clinching scenarios
- 49ers win or tie
- Rams loss or tie
NFL playoff clinching scenarios Week 15 – AFC
Baltimore Ravens – 10-3
- Next Game: @ Jacksonville Jaguars
- Remaining Opponents: @ San Francisco 49ers (Dec. 25), vs Miami Dolphins (Dec. 31), vs Pittsburgh Steelers (Jan. 7)
The Baltimore Ravens are the only AFC team that can clinch a playoff spot in Week 15. Here are the Ravens’ playoff-clinching scenarios for Sunday.
Clinch playoff spot with
- Ravens win + Broncos loss/tie + Bills loss/tie
- Ravens win + Broncos loss/tie + Browns loss/tie
- Ravens win + Broncos loss/tie + Texans loss/tie
- Ravens win + Broncos loss/tie + Steelers loss/tie
- Ravens win + Bills loss/tie + Browns loss/tie
- Ravens win + Bills loss/tie + Steelers loss/tie
- Ravens win + Bills loss/tie + Texans loss/tie
- Ravens win + Browns loss/tie + Steelers/Colts tie
- Ravens win + Texans loss/tie + Steelers/Colts tie
What NFL teams have clinched a playoff spot?
The San Francisco 49ers are the only NFL team to clinch a playoff spot entering Week 15. San Francisco clinched a playoff spot in Week 14 after it beat the Seattle Seahawks and then the Green Bay Packers lost to the New York Giants.
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What teams have been eliminated from NFL playoffs contention?
The New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers have been eliminated from playoff contention in 2023. With losses in Week 15, the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders will be eliminated from playoff contention.
