What NFL Games Have Playoff Implications?

It’s Week 16 of the NFL season, and while some teams have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, others are still fighting for their lives. Here’s a look at the games with the most playoff implications.

AFC

The Baltimore Ravens will clinch a playoff berth with a victory over the Cleveland Browns or a tie, or if the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Dallas Cowboys. The Pittsburgh Steelers will clinch the AFC North title with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots compete in the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. As of Week 15 of the 2019 NFL season, they have clinched the divisional title and a first-round bye. The Patriots have also clinched a playoff berth.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL), as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in 1933, the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC.

Incontention: The Steelers need to win and have the Bengals lose to clinch the AFC North.

Clinched: None

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars need to win and have the Steelers lose to the Bengals in order for them to clinch a playoff berth.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s American Football Conference (AFC) West division. The team was founded in 1960 as the Dallas Texans by businessman Lamar Hunt and was a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). In 1963, the team relocated to Kansas City and assumed their current name. The Chiefs joined the NFL as a result of the merger in 1970. The team is valued at over $2 billion. Hunt’s son, Clark, serves as chairman and CEO.

The team plays its home games at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, which is also shared with MLS club Sporting Kansas City.

NFC

The Dallas Cowboys, Green Packers, and Seattle Seahawks all have a chance to clinch their respective divisional titles this week. The Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Packers and Seahawks can both clinch their divisional titles with a win and some help from other teams.

Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have clinched the NFC West and will be playing in the playoffs. They currently have a first-round bye.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints currently sit atop the NFC South with an 8-2 record. They have clinched a playoff berth and are in contention for a first-round bye. The Saints remaining schedule includes games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons. If the Saints win out, they will finish the regular season with a 11-5 record and earn a first-round bye.

Carolina Panthers

While the Panthers have clinched a playoff berth, they can improve their seeding with a win. A victory would give Carolina the NFC South title and the No. 2 seed in the conference. The Panthers would also earn a first-round bye if the Arizona Cardinals lost to the Seattle Seahawks.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are currently in first place in the NFC North with a record of 9-4. They have clinched a playoff berth and can win the division title with a win against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 or a loss by the Packers against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16.