NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: Reviewing Latest Bracket Scenarios for AFC, NFC

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to win their second straight AFC North title. But at the least, they're going to be heading back to the playoffs this season.

On Thursday night, the New York Jets lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars. And in the process, the Bengals became the seventh team in the NFL this year to clinch a spot in the postseason. That means half of the 14-team playoff field has now been decided.

More clinches could take place this weekend. Here's a look at the full playoff picture heading into the rest of the Week 16 action, followed by clinching scenarios for the week.

AFC

Bye: No. 1 Buffalo Bills (11-3)

No. 2 Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) vs. No. 7 Miami Dolphins (8-6)

No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals (10-4) vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers (8-6)

No. 4 Tennessee Titans (7-7) vs. No. 5 Baltimore Ravens (9-5)

In the hunt: New England Patriots (7-7), New York Jets (7-7), Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8), Las Vegas Raiders (6-8), Cleveland Browns (6-8), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-8), Indianapolis Colts (4-9-1)

NFC

Bye: No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles (13-1)

No. 2 Minnesota Vikings (11-3) vs. No. 7 Washington Commanders (7-6-1)

No. 3 San Francisco 49ers (10-4) vs. No. 6 New York Giants (8-5-1)

No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8) vs. No. 5 Dallas Cowboys (10-4)

In the 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)

The Bills have already clinched a playoff berth, ensuring they'll be heading to the postseason for the fourth consecutive year. However, they still have plenty more to play for down the stretch.

This week, Buffalo could clinch even more, as it's closing in on its third consecutive AFC East title. The Bills can secure that with a road win over the Bears on Saturday. They'd also clinch if the Dolphins lose to the Packers at home on Sunday. (If either of those games end in a tie, Buffalo would clinch as well.)

It's also important for the Bills to keep winning games as they try to secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the first-round bye that comes with it. Buffalo and Kansas City are both 11-3 with three regular-season games to play.

The AFC North title can't be clinched this week, but the top two front-runners for the division title could secure spots in the postseason. In fact, the Bengals have already done so, as they clinched with the Jets' loss to the Jaguars on Thursday night.

The Ravens could also secure a spot in the postseason, but it will take some help. They need to win against the Falcons at home on Saturday and have either the Dolphins (vs. the Packers) or the Patriots (vs. the Bengals) lose. Baltimore would also get in if New England, Cleveland, Las Vegas and Tennessee all lose this week and Los Angeles beats Indianapolis.

There's also a chance the Chargers could clinch a playoff berth this week. In order for that to happen, they need to beat the Colts on Monday night and have had the Raiders and Patriots both lose.

There's a lot on the line for the Eagles in their Saturday road matchup against the Cowboys. And it would greatly benefit Philadelphia if it can defeat its NFC East rival.

The Eagles would clinch both the NFC East title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win. That's the only way they can wrap up the division race this week. If they lose, the Cowboys will be only a game back and the two teams will have split their season series.

If Philadelphia wins, the only division that wouldn't yet have a champion crowned would be the NFC South. And any of the four teams in that division could still end up with the title.

The only other clinching scenario in the NFC this week also features a team from the East. The Giants, who are coming off an impressive Week 15 victory over the Commanders, could potentially secure a spot in the postseason.

New York can clinch, but it needs help. It would need to win at Minnesota on Saturday and have two of the following three teams lose: Washington (at San Francisco), Seattle (at Kansas City) or Detroit (at Carolina).

Those other teams are facing some tough competition. So if the Giants pull off an upset win over the Vikings, they may get the assistance they need in securing a playoff berth.