Which teams could be eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17? NFL Playoff Picture explored

The 2024 NFL regular season has just two weeks left and several teams have already clinched a playoff spot. Others, meanwhile, could be eliminated from playoff contention on Week 17.

Entering Week 17, in the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs have clinched the No. 1 seed while the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers have all clinched playoff spots.

In the NFC, the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles have all clinched playoff berths.

Which teams could be eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17?

AFC Elimination Scenarios

Three AFC teams can be eliminated from playoff contention in Week 16.

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss/tie to the Cleveland Browns or a Los Angeles Chargers win/tie vs New England Patriots and if the Denver Broncos win or tie vs. Cincinnati Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss/tie against the Denver Broncos.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or tie to the Cleveland Browns, or a Los Angeles Chargers win/tie vs. New England Patriots AND Denver Broncos win/tie vs. Cincinnati Bengals.

NFC Elimination Scenarios

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can officially be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Carolina Panthers and an Atlanta Falcons win vs the Washington Commanders.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks can be eliminated from playoff contention with a Los Angeles Rams win vs. Arizona Cardinals and any combination of at least four wins by the Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns

NFL Playoff Clinching Scenarios

Los Angeles Rams

The LA Rams can clinch a playoff spot and clinch the NFC West with a win over the Arizona Cardinals AND any combination of four wins by Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons can clinch the NFC South and a playoff spot with a win and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders can clinch a playoff berth via a win/tie vs. Atlanta Falcons or a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss/tie vs. Carolina Panthers.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers can clinch a playoff spot with a win/tie vs. New England Patriots or an Indianapolis Colts loss/tie vs. New York Giants and Miami Dolphins loss/tie vs. Cleveland Browns.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with a win/tie vs the Cincinnati Bengals.

About the author

Cole is an NHL, NFL and College Sports reporter at Sportskeeda with over 7 years of experience writing for publications like CBC, USA Today, SMG, BJPENN, Sherdog and SB Nation.

An NHL fan his whole life, Cole played rep hockey in Canada from age 5 until 17 and grew up rooting for Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning. His all-time favorite players are Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos, while Jon Cooper is his favorite coach of all time.

Cole attended Sheridan College and received his journalism degree in 2019. After decades of watching and reporting, he considers his knowledge of sports as his primary strength. He ensures that the same story has been reported by at least two reputed reporters before creating it.

Cole enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family when not reporting breaking stories. His favorite sports moment is from the 2010 Olympics, when Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal in overtime to beat Team USA for the gold medal.

Know More

Exploring Justin Tucker's career earnings: How much has Ravens kicker made so far?

Edited by Rajdeep Barman