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NFL Playoff Scenarios: Patriots Clinch AFC East, Home-Field Advantage With Win Or Jets Loss

With just two weeks remaining in the NFL's regular season, there still only four teams that have clinched berths for the playoffs: the Patriots, Steelers, Falcons and Bears. And with just 12 teams eliminated thus far, there are still 20 teams alive for a chance to make it to the Super Bowl. Which means the NFL playoff picture is still rather murky, with plenty of playoff scenarios for Week 16. 

With some help from NFL.com, here's a look at all the NFL Week 16 playoff scenarios

AFC

Clinched Playoff Spot: New England, Pittsburgh

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

New England clinches AFC East Division and home-field advantage:

  • 1) NE win or tie
  • 2) NYJ loss or tie

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Pittsburgh clinches AFC North Division and a first-round bye:

  • 1) PIT win + BAL loss

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Kansas City clinches AFC West Division:

  • 1) KC win + SD loss or tie
  • 2) KC tie + SD loss

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Baltimore clinches a playoff spot:

  • 1) BAL win or tie
  • 2) KC loss + JAC loss or tie
  • 3) KC loss + IND loss or tie
  • 4) SD loss or tie + JAC loss or tie
  • 5) SD loss or tie + IND loss or tie

NEW YORK JETS

NY Jets clinch a playoff spot:

  • 1) NYJ win or tie
  • 2) JAC loss or tie
  • 3) IND loss or tie

NFC

Clinched Playoff Spot: Atlanta, Chicago (NFC North)

ATLANTA FALCONS

Atlanta clinches NFC South and home-field advantage:

  • 1) ATL win or tie

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Philadelphia clinches NFC East Division:

  • 1) PHI win
  • 2) PHI tie + NYG loss or tie
  • 3) NYG loss

Philadelphia clinches a playoff spot:

  • 1) PHI tie
  • 2) TB loss or tie

CHICAGO BEARS

Chicago clinches a first-round bye:

  • 1) CHI win + PHI loss + NYG loss or tie

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

New Orleans clinches a playoff spot:

  • 1) NO win or tie
  • 2) TB loss or tie

NEW YORK GIANTS

NY Giants clinch a playoff spot:

  • 1) NYG win

Put more simply, via Joel Thorman at SB Nation: The Chiefs, Ravens, Jets, Eagles, Saints and Giants are all in good position to clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.