Nfl Playoff Scenarios And Implications In Every Week 17 Game

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 28, 2025, 1:24 PM

nfl playoff scenarios and implications in every week 17 game

Just like that, only four spots remain in the playoff field for the 2025 NFL season. Eight teams punched their tickets to the playoffs in Week 16, with only two spots remaining in each conference. We could know which 14 teams are in the postseason by the end of Week 17, as four teams can potentially secure a playoff spot this weekend. There are also seven division titles to sort out, and we still don't know who'll have the No. 1 seed in each conference. So, let's take a look at how teams can either clinch a playoff spot, win their division or take the No.

1 seed in Week 17. The Broncos have already clinched a playoff spot. They can clinch the AFC West in Week 17 when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs if the following happens: With two weeks to go, the 2025 NFL playoff picture is already quite clear. In the AFC, the Ravens (and, technically, the Colts) are clinging to hope. In the NFC, the Panthers and Bucs are still fighting for the NFC South title.

Other than that, every playoff spot is accounted for. The biggest playoff what-ifs are at the top. Eight teams have 11 wins or more. Seven of eight divisions remain up for grabs. And the No. 1 seed remains wide open in both conferences.

To wrap our heads around all the possibilities, we used our NFL Playoff Simulator to look at the full range of end-of-season outcomes for every team that can still make the playoffs, whether they... The tables below should help you think through everything that might happen for your team (if it hasn’t yet been eliminated). And if you want to take matters into your own hands, all the tables link to our simulator, where you can explore every possible 2025 NFL future. The Patriots have clinched a playoff berth and have two very winnable games ahead: they visit the Jets in Week 16 and host the Dolphins in Week 17. If they win out, they would clinch the AFC East title, with a terrific chance at the No. 1 seed and first round bye.

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) – playoff berth Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) – playoff berth New England Patriots (12-3) – playoff berth Denver Broncos (12-3) at Kansas City (6-9); Thursday night, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video Denver clinches AFC West division title and the AFC’s No.

1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with: With just two weeks left to play in the NFL's 2025 regular season, only one division has been clinched so far, but that could change in Week 17. After the Eagles clinched the NFC East, the seven divisions that are still up for grabs could all be settled this week. It's also possible that every playoff spot could be clinched by the end of Week 17. So far, 10 of the 14 playoff berths have been accounted -- and the final four spots could be in the bag by the end of the weekend. So, what has to happen for each playoff spot to be clinched?

Glad you asked. Let's check out all the clinching scenarios for Week 17. There's exactly one scenario that would see the Broncos clinch the conference's No. 1 seed and AFC West title: 1. DEN win + LAC loss or tie + NE loss + BUF loss or tie + JAX loss or tie

x Team has clinched a playoff berth. y Team has clinched their division title. e Team has been eliminated from playoff contention. k Team has been knocked out of division title contention. NFC Teams knocked out of 1 seed contention: NYG, ARI, WAS, NO, ATL, MIN, DAL, CAR, DET, GB, TB AFC Teams knocked out of 1 seed contention: TEN, LV, CLE, NYJ, CIN, MIA, KC,... PHI has clinched the NFC East division title.

GB cannot clinch a playoff berth this week. DAL has been knocked out of NFC East title contention. DAL has been eliminated from playoff contention. Every week for the duration of the 2025 regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL's ever-evolving playoff picture – typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the... And, when the holidays roll around, we'll be watching then, too). What just happened?

What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference's seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized Sunday, Jan. 4. Here's where things stand with Week 17 underway: x − 1.

Seattle Seahawks (12-3), NFC West leaders: Splitting their season series with the Rams in Week 16's classic means they'll wind up with the No. 1 seed if they win their final two games. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at 49ers y − 2. Chicago Bears (11-4), NFC North champions: Green Bay's loss Saturday night was doubly sweet, wrapping up the division title for Da Bears, who are still in play for the No. 1 seed, too.

Nfl Playoff Scenarios And Implications In Every Week 17 Game

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