NFL Playoff Picture Week 15: Latest AFC, NFC Standings and Bracket Scenarios

Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles became the first team to clinch an NFL playoff berth this season. In Week 15, more could be joining them.

Five teams have an opportunity to secure spots in the postseason this week, and up to three division champions could be crowned. However, the Eagles are not among those that could clinch a title, as the Dallas Cowboys remain close behind in the NFC East race.

There's also a slight chance Philadelphia could still be the only team that has clinched a playoff berth by the end of Week 15. It seems likely at least one more will do so, but a lot will still need to be decided over the final three weeks of the regular season.

Heading into Week 15, here's a look at the playoff picture for both the AFC and NFC, along with the clinching scenarios for this week, per NFL.com.

Division Leaders

1. Buffalo Bills (10-3)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3)

3. Baltimore Ravens (9-4)

4. Tennessee Titans (7-6)

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Wild-Card Leaders

5. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4)

6. Miami Dolphins (8-5)

7. New England Patriots (7-6)

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In the Hunt

8. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)

9. New York Jets (7-6)

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)

11. Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)

12. Cleveland Browns (5-8)

13. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8)

14. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1)

The Chiefs could become the first AFC team to clinch a division title on Sunday. And their Week 15 matchup suggests there's a good chance they'll end the day as AFC West champions.

Kansas City is going on the road to face Houston, which is an NFL-worst 1-11-1. If the Chiefs are victorious, they'll capture the AFC West crown for the seventh consecutive season. But they could still be at No. 2 in the conference standings at that point, so they'll need to keep winning if they hope to land the No. 1 seed.

That isn't the only way Kansas City can clinch the division this week. If the Los Angeles Chargers lose to the Tennessee Titans at home on Sunday, then the Chiefs will also secure the AFC West title. Kansas City would also clinch if both it and Los Angeles tie.

There are also several scenarios in which the Chiefs could seal a playoff berth but not the AFC West title. However, each of those would require Kansas City and Houston to tie, which seems unlikely.

The Bills can't wrap up the AFC East title this week with the division so tight, but they could claim a postseason berth if they beat the Dolphins on Saturday night.

If that game results in a tie, then there are several other scenarios in which Buffalo could clinch, too.

Division Leaders

1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1, clinched playoff berth)

2. Minnesota Vikings (10-3)

3. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)

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Wild-Card Leaders

5. Dallas Cowboys (10-3)

6. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)

7. New York Giants (7-5-1)

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In the Hunt

8. Seattle Seahawks (7-6)

9. Detroit Lions (6-7)

10. Green Bay Packers (5-8)

11. Carolina Panthers (5-8)

12. Atlanta Falcons (5-8)

13. Arizona Cardinals (4-9)

14. New Orleans Saints (4-9)

15. Los Angeles Rams (4-9)

The 49ers could clinch the NFC West title this week. But there's only one scenario in which that can happen: with a win.

San Francisco needs to beat Seattle on the road on Thursday night to wrap up that division race. Otherwise, the Seahawks will still have a chance, as they'd only be one game back of the 49ers, which won the first matchup between the two rivals in Week 2.

It would be the second time in four seasons that San Francisco has won the NFC West, as it also captured the division crown in the 2019 campaign.

The Vikings could also win a division title this week, and there's a good chance they'll do so. They can seal the NFC North crown with a home win on Saturday against Indianapolis, which has lost six of its past seven games.

Even if Minnesota loses, it could still claim the NFC North title if the Lions lose on the road against the Jets on Sunday. That should be a competitive game that could go either way. The Vikings would also clinch if either they or the Detroit Lions tie this week.

The Cowboys have several chances to join the Eagles as NFC East teams that have claimed a playoff berth this week. They can secure their spot in the postseason with a road win over Jacksonville on Sunday.

However, Dallas could also seal a postseason berth if the Seahawks lose to the 49ers and either the Commanders (vs. Giants) or Lions (at Jets) also lose.

There are a couple more clinching scenarios that could unfold for Dallas if it ties with Jacksonville.