The fight for the playoffs is raging in the NFL. In week 15, the first two teams, the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams, were able to secure their place in the postseason. Some teams can follow them on the weekend.
sport.de shows you which teams they are and what has to happen for them to book their ticket to the playoffs.
- Teams in the playoffs: Rams, Broncos
- Teams with no playoff chance: Titans, Raiders, Browns, Jets, Giants, Commanders, Saints, Cardinals, Falcons, Chiefs, Vikings, Dolphins, Bengals
- Teams that could slip out of the playoff race this weekend: Cowboys
The playoff scenarios for the AFC
Denver Broncos (12-4)
The Denver Broncos are already definitely in the playoffs, but could win the AFC West title with a better result than the Chargers. If the Patriots lose and the Bills don’t win, the Broncos would actually already have secured the first seed in the AFC and thus have a game-free weekend at the start of the playoffs.
New England Patriots (11-3)
The Patriots have the playoffs in their own hands. With a win, the team will definitely be in contention when it comes to the sausage in January. If you make a mistake in Baltimore, with a little help you could still have reason to be happy. If the Colts or Texans don’t win their game, Drake Maye and Co. would be in the playoffs even if they lost.
Buffalo Bills (10-4)
With the Buffalo Bills, a second team from the AFC East could slip into the playoffs this weekend. To put it simply, the Bills have to get a better result than the Colts or the Texans. If one of these teams loses, a draw in Cleveland would be enough for the Bills.
Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
The starting position of the Jaguars is also quickly explained, as it is very similar to that of the Bills. The same applies to the Jags: If they win against the Broncos and the Colts or Texans lose, they would be in the playoffs. However, a draw would only be enough if the Colts lose or the Texans lose and the Colts don’t win at the same time.
Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
The Chargers, meanwhile, have exactly the same requirements as the Jacksonville Jaguars. Justin Herbert and Co. are heading to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
The playoff scenarios for the NFC
Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
The route for the Eagles is clear: the playoffs should be secured this weekend. A win on Saturday in Washington would be enough for this. If you lose out in the capital, you would have to hope for the Los Angeles Chargers. If they beat the Cowboys, the defending champions would be in the playoffs either way. If both games end in a draw, that would also be enough for the Eagles.
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Chicago Bears (10-4)
The Bears’ path to their first playoffs in four years is mapped out and quickly explained. If head coach Ben Johnson achieves a better result than his former team, the Detroit Lions, he and his team would be in the postseason.
Green Bay Packers (10-4)
The Green Bay Packers, who will be visiting the Windy City on Saturday (local time), want to prevent this. The same applies to the Packers: A better result than the Lions is enough to get into the playoffs.
Seattle Seahawks (10-4)
The Seattle Seahawks are also looking at Amon-Ra St. Brown and his team. But only if you lose to the Rams in the Thursday Night Game. With a win or a draw you would be in the playoffs either way. In the event of a defeat, you would have to hope that the Lions don’t win at the weekend.
San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
The 49ers are only in demand in the Monday Night Game. At this point, if the Lions lose, they too could be safely in the playoffs. Otherwise you would have to achieve the same result as the Lions, i.e. a win or at least a draw if the Lions achieved one.