Nfl Playoff Scenarios For Week 17 How Final 4 Playoff Spots Could Be

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 27, 2025, 3:23 AM

nfl playoff scenarios for week 17 how final 4 playoff spots could be

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 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 The NFL is facing an unprecedented scenario that could drain all excitement from Week 18. With seven division titles still undecided and four playoff spots up for grabs, a specific combination of Week 17 results could clinch nearly everything before the season finale. This would mark the first time since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger that every playoff berth and division crown gets decided before the final week. For a league that thrives on dramatic finishes, it’s the ultimate nightmare scenario.

The chaos begins with seemingly straightforward outcomes. If Denver beats Kansas City on Christmas Day while the Chargers lose to Houston, the Broncos claim the AFC West. Meanwhile, a Ravens loss to Green Bay would hand Pittsburgh the AFC North without the Steelers even playing. In the NFC, the Bears could wrap up the North with a win over San Francisco, while Carolina needs just a victory against Seattle plus a Tampa Bay loss to claim the South. The mathematical possibilities create a perfect storm where six of eight divisions could be decided in one weekend. Since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, there has never been a season where every playoff spot and every division was clinched before the final week

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: The NFL playoff picture crystallized a bit after Week 16, with five teams from both conferences securing their places in the postseason by the end of action. No team, outside of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, has yet clinched a division title. With three games scheduled for Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and a doubleheader on the docket for Saturday, Dec. 27, much more will be decided in the coming days.

Here is a quick look at what’s on the line for teams across the league. Denver (vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET) clinches AFC West and AFC’s No. 1 seed with: With just two weeks left in the 2025 NFL season, the playoff picture is becoming a lot clearer, and could be nearly complete by the end of Week 17.

With just two weeks left in the regular season, Week 17 has the potential to lock in division titles, first-round byes, and playoff spots...or end seasons entirely. While five teams in each conference have officially clinched playoff berths so far, several others still have a chance to punch their ticket or be eliminated this weekend depending on how the results fall. Hopefully tonight was the final road game the 49ers play this season. If the 49ers win both of their final two games, home-field advantage throughout the entire NFL Playoffs with the Super Bowl at the 49ers’ home stadium. Here’s a breakdown of the key clinching and elimination scenarios to watch in Week 17. 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. The 2025 regular season is coming to a close. Week 17 is here, with teams only having two games left to try to make a bid for postseason contention. Entering the week, 10 of the 14 total playoff spots up for grabs across the AFC and NFC were clinched. That list grew larger on Christmas, with the Packers landing a spot in the postseason after the Lions were eliminated following their shock defeat to the Vikings.

The top four seeds in each conference go to the division winners, regardless of their record compared to non-division winners. The overall No. 1 seed in both the AFC and NFC will earn a first-round bye in the playoffs and will not play until the Divisional round. That team will also hold home-field advantage until the Super Bowl, assuming it does not lose before then. Division winners will also host a wild-card game, which can provide a significant advantage over a road team forced to travel. While it may feel like only one or two major games remain, there is enough variability in the seeding that nearly every game in Week 17 could play a role in a team’s clinching...

Here is more on the teams that have clinched a playoff berth heading into Week 17.

Nfl Playoff Scenarios For Week 17 How Final 4 Playoff Spots Could Be

People Also Search

Just Like That, Only Four Spots Remain In The Playoff

1 Seed In Week 17. The Broncos Have Already Clinched

So Far, 10 Of The 14 Playoff Berths Have Been

1. DEN Win + LAC Loss Or Tie + NE

The Chaos Begins With Seemingly Straightforward Outcomes. If Denver Beats