Week 15 NFL Playoff Scenarios, who needs what?

With another great slate of NFL games scheduled over the Holiday period, things are heating up in the race for the playoffs. Even those teams that are lucky enough to have already clinched their spots in the post-season are still fighting for the all-important number one seed, so let’s take a look at how it could all unfold.

The Baltimore Ravens have already clinched a playoff berth, but what seed they end up as is still up for debate. While they cannot clinch the number one seed in the conference this week, a win against the Niners plus Cleveland having a worse result than them results in Baltimore winning the AFC North.

The Browns can secure post-season football this weekend but need myriad games to go their way. One scenario includes a Browns win plus the Bengals losing, Denver losing or tying, the Bills losing, Miami winning or tying, and the Colts losing or tying. There are loads more possibilities, but you get the idea, the Browns’ future probably won’t be decided in week 16.

The Chiefs are having a bad run of late, but can still secure another AFC West title with a win. Alternatively, a tie, plus the Broncos losing will be enough to see Patrick Mahomes et al in the playoffs once again.

The Dolphins are set for another post-season berth and can secure their spot, and division title, by bettering any result the Bills get. If they do lose, various scenarios would guarantee a playoff spot regardless of Buffalo’s result if various other AFC teams in the hunt tie or lose.

The NFC is a little different with three teams already guaranteed playoff spots. Philadelphia, Dallas, and San Francisco have already guaranteed playoff football once again, with only seeding still up for grabs.

The Lions need to win this week to guarantee post-season football and the NFC North title. With the Rams winning on Thursday night, a loss by the Seahawks will also secure playoff football for the second year in a row for Detroit.

The 49ers are best placed to secure the all-important number-one seed and home-field advantage. If they can beat the Ravens at home on Christmas Day and Philly, Dallas, and Detroit all lose the number one seed will be secured.

The Dallas Cowboys face a tricky game against the Dolphins in Miami that could go a long way to deciding the NFC East title. A win puts them in pole position for the division and the number two seed. The Eagles host the Giants which could well be a ‘get-right’ game for a team looking to settle down after three straight losses.

The NFC remains competitive elsewhere with the Rams, the Saints, Minnesota, and Seattle all within a game as they battle it out for the two remaining Wildcard spots. Behind that group, the Packers and the Falcons look too far back to be in contention, but some slipups elsewhere could see them right back in the mix.