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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Blake Silverman

Week 15 NFL Playoff Scenarios: Five Teams Can Clinch Postseason Spot

Minnesota Vikings running back Jones celebrates his running touchdown with quarterback Darnold during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons. | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The NFL playoff race is starting to take shape. A handful of teams are hoping to secure playoff berths in Week 15, with a few spots already decided.

The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched their respective divisions, while the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles have already clinched a playoff berth. The Eagles are hoping to officially wrap up the NFC East this week, too.

With a number of playoff spots and scenarios at play, below is what each team with a clinching scenario at stake needs to happen to secure their spot in Week 15.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans can clinch the AFC South division title with a win and an Indianapolis Colts loss.

The Texans (8-5) play the Miami Dolphins (6-7) Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie in their game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Steelers can also clinch a playoff berth if the Miami Dolphins lose or tie, plus an Indianapolis Colts loss or tie.

The Steelers (10-3) play the Eagles (11-3) Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers can clinch a playoff berth with a win, an Atlanta Falcons loss or tie, as well as a tie in the San Francisco 49ers-Los Angeles Rams game. A lot needs to go exactly right for the Pack, huh?

The Packers (9-4) play the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have a few avenues to clinch a playoff berth in Week 15. The first scenario is simple: the Vikings need to win or tie. They can also clinch a playoff birth with a Los Angeles Rams loss or tie. The other scenario which sends the Vikings to the playoffs in Week 15 is a Seattle Seahawks loss or tie.

The Vikings (11-2) play the Chicago Bears (4-9) on Monday Night Football at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have already clinched a playoff berth but they can secure the NFC East title in Week 15. For Philadelphia to win the division, they have a couple of possible scenarios. They clinch the division with a win and a Washington Commanders loss or tie. They can also clinch the division with a tie and a Commanders loss.

The Eagles (11-2) play the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox.

NFL Playoff Berths Already Clinched

In the NFC, both the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles have clinched playoff berths. The Eagles can clinch their division in Week 15 through a few scenarios.

In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills have already clinched the AFC East title, while the Kansas City Chiefs have clinched their division, the AFC West.


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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Week 15 NFL Playoff Scenarios: Five Teams Can Clinch Postseason Spot.

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