NFL Playoff Scenarios Heading Into Week 17

With just one week left to determine the playoff picture in the NFL, there is still much to be settled.

The NFC field is set, while two spots are up for grabs in the AFC. The following teams have clinched a spot in the playoffs:

AFC
Indianapolis Colts (home-field advantage throughout)
San Diego Chargers (first-round bye)
Cincinnati Bengals
New England Patriots

NFC
New Orleans Saints (first-round bye)
Minnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals
Phildelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys

In the AFC, only five teams have been eliminated, meaning seven teams have yet to be mathematically eliminated.

The New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens control their own destiny. A win by either team puts them into the playoffs.

The remaining teams that are still alive need a bit of help. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll remove the scenarios that involve a tie. Just assume that for most teams, a tie is as good as a loss.

The Steelers will make the playoffs if they win in Week 17 and:

Houston loses AND the Jets lose
OR Houston loses AND Baltimore loses
OR the Jets lose AND Baltimore loses AND Denver loses

The Texans will make the playoffs if they win in Week 17 and:

New York Jets lose AND Baltimore loses
OR the Jets lose AND Denver loses
OR Baltimore loses AND Denver loses

The Broncos will make the playoffs if they win in Week 17 and:

New York Jets lose AND Baltimore loses
OR New York Jets lose AND Pittsburgh loses
OR New York Jets lose AND Houston wins
OR Baltimore loses AND Pittsburgh loses
OR Baltimore loses AND Houston wins

The Broncos can also make the playoffs if they lose in Week 17 and:

Pittsburgh loses AND Baltimore loses AND Houston loses AND Jacksonville loses
OR Pittsburgh loses AND Baltimore loses AND Houston loses AND New York Jets lose
OR Pittsburgh loses AND Baltimore loses AND Jacksonville loses AND New York Jets lose
OR Pittsburgh loses AND Houston loses AND Jacksonville loses AND New York Jets lose
OR Miami loses AND New York Jets lose AND Baltimore loses AND Houston loses AND Jacksonville loses

The Jaguars can make the playoffs if they win in Week 17 and:

Pittsburgh loses AND Baltimore loses AND Denver loses AND Houston loses
OR Pittsburgh loses AND Baltimore loses AND Denver loses AND New York Jets lose
OR Pittsburgh loses AND Baltimore loses AND Houston loses AND New York Jets lose
OR Pittsburgh loses AND Denver loses AND Houston loses AND New York Jets lose
OR New York Jets lose AND Denver loses AND Houston loses AND Baltimore loses

The Dolphins can make the playoffs if they win in Week 17 and: