As the NFL Season heads into Week 17, many fans are looking for the best path into the playoffs for their favorite team. While some squads are fighting for a wild card spot, others are looking to clinch their division or secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Here is a look at who has clinched and who still has some work to do in the final two weeks.
Clinched
Kansas City Chiefs: 11-4
The Kansas City Chiefs are the first AFC team to officially clinch a playoff berth. Mahomes and company clinched the AFC West with a dominating win over the Steelers coupled with a shocking Chargers loss. Kansas City now finds themselves one game up on the Titans in the race for the #1 overall seed. The Chiefs would need a win and a Titans loss to clinch home field advantage in Week 17.
Looking to Clinch in Week 17
Tennessee Titans: 10-5
Easiest Path: Win vs Dolphins OR Colts loss vs Raiders
Tennessee holds all the cards coming down the stretch. They have a chance to clinch the AFC South with one more win this season or one more Colts loss. The Titans also have a chance at the #1 seed, but would need some help from the Chiefs. Expect Tennessee to come out strong this week against the Dolphins, with a chance to clinch the division up for grabs.
Cincinnati Bengals: 9-6
Easiest Path: Win vs Chiefs OR Ravens loss vs Rams
The Bengals picked up an enormous win over the Baltimore Ravens. The win not only gave them a 1-game lead in the AFC North, but also the tie-breaker over Baltimore. Though the Bengals do not have the easiest schedule left, they are in pole position to capture the division crown. All Cincinnati has to do is win one more game to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Still Has Work to Do
Buffalo Bills: 9-6
Easiest Path: Win Out
The Bills recaptured the AFC East lead with a win over the Patriots on Sunday. The two teams are tied at 9-6, but Buffalo holds the tie-breaker by virtue of Division record. Buffalo can clinch the division by simply beating the Falcons and Jets to end the season. Alternatively, they could still clinch with a loss to the Falcons, as long as they pick up the win over the Jets AND the Patriots lose one more game.
Indianapolis Colts: 9-6
Easiest Path: Win Out
The Colts are in complete control of their own destiny. If they beat the Raiders this week, they can clinch with a myriad of other results. However, the easiest way for Indianapolis to lock in a playoff spot is by beating Las Vegas and Jacksonville. The Colts are in the best position of any wild card team.
New England Patriots: 9-6
Easiest Path: Win Out
Despite a disappointing loss to the Bills, the Patriots still have a chance to not only make the playoffs, but also win the division. The Patriots face the lowly Jaguars in Week 17, before heading to Miami to take on the Dolphins in the final game of the season. If New England can win both, they will lock up a playoff spot, and will be looking for a loss from Buffalo to win the AFC East.
Las Vegas Raiders: 8-7
Easiest Path: Win Out
Remarkably, despite a turbulent season, the Raiders are still in a position to make the playoffs. While the Raiders are 8-7 and are currently the 10 seed, Las Vegas is in prime position to capture a wild card spot. Las Vegas currently holds the tie-breaker over Baltimore, Miami, Pittsbugh, and Cleveland by virtue of head-to-head wins over all teams listed above. Should the Raiders beat the Colts and the Chargers to finish the season, Las Vegas would jump all the way to the 6-seed with an unlikely 4-game winning streak to cap the season.
Need Some Help
Miami Dolphins: 8-7
Easiest Path: Win Out AND Raiders lose one of their last two games
The Dolphins currently find themselves in the 7-seed due to several complex tie breakers. While they would make the playoffs if the season ended today, Miami still has a long road ahead of them. The Dolphins Week 3 overtime loss to the Raiders means if both teams were to finish with the same record, the Raiders would come out on top. Miami can ill afford to lose another game because of this, and with the 10-5 Titans and 9-6 Patriots still left on the schedule, winning out will be a tough task.
Baltimore Ravens: 8-7
Easiest Path: Win Out AND Dolphins AND Raiders Lose one more game
The Ravens find themselves on the outside of a very complicated situation. There are multiple scenarios that could net Baltimore a playoff berth. First, they could still win the division. This would require the Bengals to lose out and the Ravens to win out. Highly unlikely, but not completely impossible. Next is the wild card situation. The Ravens are one game back of Indianapolis, but hold the head-to-head tie breaker. They are also tied with Miami and Las Vegas, but lost to both earlier in the season. The easiest and most likely path sees the Ravens winning out and the Dolphins and Raiders each taking one more loss, putting Baltimore in the 7 seed.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-7-1
Easiest Path: Win Out AND Dolphins AND Raiders AND Chargers lose one more
It is pretty much over for the Steelers. Not only is the likelihood of winning out slim for Pittsburgh, but the amount of help they need from around the league makes things that much more difficult. Since the Raiders and Chargers play each other Week 18, the Steelers will need at least one of those teams to lose Week 17, and the other to win Week 18. It is a long shot, but it is still technically possible.
Mathematically Alive, but Practically Eliminated
Cleveland Browns: 7-8
Denver Broncos: 7-8
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