NFL Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios as division races heat up
- - NFL Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios as division races heat up
Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY December 24, 2025 at 1:26 AM
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NFL Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios as division races heat up
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.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img data-headline="Best images of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img>
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
NFL Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios Denver Broncos Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Denver (vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET) clinches AFC West and AFC’s No. 1 seed with:
▶ Win + Chargers loss or tie + Patriots loss + Bills loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie
Denver clinches AFC West with:
Win + Chargers loss or tie OR
Tie + Chargers loss
Jacksonville Jaguars Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Jacksonville (at Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) clinches AFC South with:
Win + Texans loss or tie OR
Tie + Texans loss
New England Patriots Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
New England (at New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches AFC East with:
Win + Bills loss or tie OR
Tie + Bills loss
Pittsburgh Steelers Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Pittsburgh (at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches AFC North with:
Win or tie OR
Ravens loss or tie
Houston Texans Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Houston (at Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m.) clinches playoff berth with:
Win or tie OR
Colts loss or tie OR
Texans clinch at least a tie in strength of victory tiebreaker over Colts − which would require a Ravens win + Bills win + Chiefs win + 49ers win + Falcons loss + Dolphins loss
Seattle Seahawks Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Seattle (at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches NFC West and NFC’s No. 1 seed with:
▶ Win + Rams loss or tie + 49ers-Bears tie
Seattle clinches NFC West title with:
Win + Rams loss or tie + 49ers loss or tie OR
Tie + Rams loss + 49ers loss
Carolina Panthers Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Carolina (vs. Seattle, Sunday, 1 p.m.) clinches NFC South with:
Win + Buccaneers loss or tie OR
Tie + Buccaneers loss
Chicago Bears Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Chicago (at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 8:20 p.m.) clinches NFC North with:
Win OR
Packers loss OR
Tie + Packers tie
Green Bay Packers Week 17 playoff clinching scenarios
Green Bay (vs. Baltimore Ravens, Saturday, 8 p.m.) clinches playoff berth with:
Win or tie OR
Lions loss or tie
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 17 playoff scenarios: Who's in, out of playoffs?
Source: “AOL Sports”
