Nfl S Week 17 Nightmare Every Playoff Spot Could Be Decided Before

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 28, 2025, 4:37 AM

nfl s week 17 nightmare every playoff spot could be decided before

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 The 2025 NFL season has been full of drama, but that drama might not carry over into the final week of the season. Heading into Week 17, there are still four playoff spots up for grabs and seven division races that haven't been decided, which seems like a recipe for a dramatic finish over the final two...

The problem for the NFL is that there's a nightmare scenario where almost every division race comes to an end and every playoff spot gets clinched in Week 17 and it's a scenario that's... 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 of the season, so this would definitely be an... Let's break down the NFL's nightmare scenario: AFC WESTThere are two notable games with playoff implications in the AFC West this weekend: How the division race could end this week: A Denver win on Christmas Day combined with a Chargers loss to Houston would clinch the AFC West for the Broncos. 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. We're only three games into Week 17, but we've already seen some significant developments that impact the NFL playoff picture. While Thursday's opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders was largely meaningless, the day's two other contests were playoff-relevant. The Detroit Lions were officially eliminated from playoff contention with their loss against the rival Minnesota Vikings. The Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the nightcap to maintain a grip on the AFC's No.

1 seed. Here's a look at where every playoff hopeful stands, what could transpire over the weekend, and some predictions for the 2025-26 postseason bracket. .css-1582m2i{margin:0;font:inherit;font-weight:700;}Division Leaders 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:

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. The NFL's Week 17 could lead to an unprecedented scenario where all playoff spots are clinched before the final week, erasing potential excitement. Currently, four playoff spots are available and seven division races remain undecided, suggesting an interesting finish.

However, specific outcomes could solidify each division winner and playoff team, creating a lackluster finale that the league hopes to avoid. Historical context indicates that since the 1970 merger, no season has seen all playoff berths secured prior to the final week, raising concerns about fan engagement. If the nightmare scenario unfolds, the NFL faces scheduling challenges for Week 18 as many teams may already be playoff bound, lacking thrilling matchups. This complicates arranging an engaging slate of games for fans and may shift league focus to seed implications rather than win-and-in situations. To maintain fan engagement, the NFL must avoid scenarios where all playoff slots are clinched before the final week. Ensuring competitive drama is essential for drawing in viewers and preserving the excitement leading into the playoffs.

Nfl S Week 17 Nightmare Every Playoff Spot Could Be Decided Before

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