Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks heading to the full slate of Week 15 games, with some teams who can clinch postseason tickets:
AFC
1. Denver Broncos (11-2): Up next — vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:25 ET
The Broncos can clinch a playoff berth with one of these scenarios:
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• Victory over Packers
• Tie with Packers AND Chargers loss vs. Chiefs
• Tie with Packers AND Jaguars loss vs. Jets
• Tie with Packers AND Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals
• Tie with Packers AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks
• Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks (if Texans and Colts both tie, then the Broncos don’t clinch in this scenario)
Notable odds: The Broncos are a virtual lock to make the playoffs at 99%, per NFL.com. The Athletic’s playoff scenario generator gives them an 87% shot at winning the AFC West.
2. New England Patriots (11-2): Up next — vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET.
The Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with one of these scenarios:
• Victory over Bills (clinches AFC East)
• Tie with Bills AND Chargers loss vs. Chiefs
• Tie with Bills AND Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals
• Tie with Bills AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks
• Tie with Bills AND Jaguars loss vs. Jets
• Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks (if Texans and Colts both tie, then the Patriots don’t clinch in this scenario)
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Notable odds: With a clear edge over the Bills and a head-to-head victory, the Patriots are closing in on securing the AFC East title, at about 90% to win it, per The Athletic. They have the highest odds of anyone to grab the top seed in the AFC.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4): Up next — vs. New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Jags are the leaders in the AFC South, and are at 97% likely to make the postseason, per NFL.com.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6): Up next — vs. Miami Dolphins, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Steelers lead the AFC North. Their odds of clinching a playoff berth are at about 70%, per The Athletic.
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5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4): Up next — at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: The Chargers have a 74% shot at making the playoffs, via NFL.com, but they are still very much a long shot to catch the Broncos for the division title (13%, according to the Athletic).
6. Buffalo Bills (9-4): Up next — At New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET.
Notable odds: While Buffalo’s chances at catching up to New England to win the division title are slim (11% according to The Athletic), the Bills are still very likely to qualify for the postseason, at 98%.
7. Houston Texans (8-5): Up next — vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
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Notable odds: The Texans’ odds to make the playoffs are north of 90%, per NFL.com and The Athletic.
Still in the AFC picture
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-5): Up next — At Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: The Colts have just a 28% shot at making the playoffs now, per NFL.com.
9. Baltimore Ravens (6-7): Up next — At Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: With back-to-back losses, the Ravens have plummeted to bubble team status in the AFC hunt. They have 33% odds of making the postseason, according to NFL.com
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7): Up next — vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Kansas City has a 12% chance to make the playoffs, per NFL.com. If they fail to get in, it’ll be the first time in more than a decade that the Chiefs haven’t made the postseason.
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NFC
1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3): Up next — vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 4:25 ET
The Rams can clinch a playoff berth with this scenario:
Notable odds: The Rams are essentially a lock to make the playoffs (97% odds on NFL.com), but they are still in a very tight race with the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC West. The No. 1 seed isn’t a lock by any means but the Rams are the favorites, per The Athletic’s playoff odds, at 48%.
2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1): Up next — At Denver Broncos, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: The Packers, who entered Sunday’s game with 58% odds at The Athletic, are now massive favorites to win the NFC North at nearly 70%.
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3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5): Up next — vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Though they fell to the Chargers, the Eagles still have 92% odds to make the playoffs, via NFL.com. The top seed, however, is almost certainly out of reach.
4. Carolina Panthers (7-6): Up next — At New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET Notable odds: The Panthers have a 42% chance to both make the playoffs, per NFL.com.
5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3): Up next — vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: Though almost a lock to make the playoffs (The Athletic and NFL.com have them with at least 97%) the Seahawks still aren’t the favorite to win the NFC West.
6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4): Up next — vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: Strong playoff favorites at 95%, per The Athletic.
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7. Chicago Bears (9-4): Up next — vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Notable odds: The Bears have a 62% shot of making the playoffs, per NFL.com. They have a 26% shot at walking away with the NFC North crown, according to The Athletic.
Still in the NFC picture
8. Detroit Lions (8-5): Up next — At Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Notable odds: 51% to make the playoffs, per NFL.com. They have only a 6% chance to win the NFC North, per The Athletic.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): Up next — vs. Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Notable odds: The Buccaneers fell behind the Panthers in the NFC South standings on Thursday and have a 54% shot at making the playoffs, per NFL.com. A pair of games against the Panthers over the next month will be critical.
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10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1): Up next — vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Notable odds: 11% to make the playoffs, according to The Athletic and NFL.com.
Already eliminated
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Washington Commanders (3-10)
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New Orleans Saints (3-10)
