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NFL Week 16 Playoff Scenarios: Now It's As Simple As It Gets

The Cincinnati Bengals have one of two options. They can win this weekend, clinching a postseason berth or they can lose and hope the Steelers lose to the Browns.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It's fairly simple for the Cincinnati Bengals, thanks to a deliciously awful performance by Mark Sanchez during Monday Night Football. Beat the Steelers, clinch a postseason berth. Nothing more to add.

On the other hand the Baltimore Ravens remain in clinch mode, having an opportunity to win the AFC North with a win over the New York Giants (or a Bengals loss). If the Giants and Bengals win, the AFC championship will be decided in Week 17 at Paul Brown Stadium.

AFC

CLINCHED

New England AFC East
Denver AFC West
Houston AFC South
Baltimore Playoff Berth

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Clinch AFC North BAL Win OR
BAL tie + CIN loss or tie

HOUSTON TEXANS

Clinches First-Round Bye HOU or tie OR
NE loss or tie OR
DEN loss
Clinches Home-Field Advantage HOU win OR
HOU tie + DEN loss or tie OR
NE loss or tie + DEN loss

DENVER BRONCOS

Clinches First-Round Bye DEN win + NE loss or tie OR
DEN tie + NE loss

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Clinches Playoff Spot IND win or tie OR
IND clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over CIN OR
PIT loss or tie

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Clinches Playoff Spot CIN Win

NFC

CLINCHED

Atlanta NFC South
Green Bay NFC North
San Francisco Playoff Berth

ATLANTA FALCONS

Clinches First-Round Bye ATL win or tie OR
GB loss or tie OR
SF loss
Clinches Home-Field Advantage ATL win OR
ATL tie + SF loss or tie OR
GB loss or tie + SF loss

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Clinches NFC West SF win or tie
Clinches First-Round Bye SF win + GB loss or tie OR
SF tie + GB loss

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Clinches Playoff Spot WAS win + NYG loss + CHI loss + MIN loss

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Clinches Playoff Spot SEA win OR
SEA tie + NYG loss + CHI loss or tie OR
SEA tie + NYG loss + MIN loss or tie OR
SEA tie + CHI loss or tie + MIN loss or tie OR
SEA tie + DAL loss + WAS loss + CHI loss or tie OR
SEA tie + DAL loss + WAS loss + MIN loss or tie OR
CHI loss + MIN loss + WAS loss OR
CHI loss + MIN loss + DAL loss or tie + WAS tie

NEW YORK GIANTS

Clinches Playoff Spot NYG win + CHI loss + MIN loss + DAL loss + WAS loss or tie OR
NYG win + CHI loss + MIN loss + WAS loss + DAL tie