I love this time of year. It’s all football, football and football. This weekend’s fun starts on Thursday, and the NFL has games lined up through Christmas evening. Here’s the full 2023 NFL Week 16 schedule, by the way.
As we enter the 2023 NFL Week 16 games, note that a handful of teams could clinch a playoff spot this weekend, based on a bevy of scenarios.
It’s always the best if a team actually wins their game for the weekend, but some of these teams could land a playoff spot even if they don’t win a game. So, what are the 2023 NFL Week 16 playoff-clinching scenarios? Here’s how the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins and more could have a very merry Christmas this weekend.
2023 NFL Week 16 Playoff-Clinching Scenarios:
Baltimore Ravens. Can you believe the Ravens aren’t No. 1 in the AFC North yet? I can’t believe it, but it’s true. I mean, they have Lamar Jackson. C’mon. In order to clinch the AFC North title, here’s what the Baltimore Ravens need to do:
BAL win + CLE loss or tie OR
BAL tie + CLE loss
Week 16 opponent: at 49ers
Cleveland Browns. The Cleveland Browns don’t have a playoff spot yet. They’ve been playing a lot better lately, so it should happen any day now. Here’s what the Cleveland Browns need to do to clinch a playoff berth:
CLE win + CIN loss + DEN loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + IND loss or tie OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + DEN loss or tie OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + KC win + IND win + JAX loss OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + IND loss OR
CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + JAX loss OR
CLE win + CIN-PIT tie + BUF loss + IND win + JAX loss
Detroit Lions. This is the moment Detroit Lions fans have been waiting for their whole lives. Here’s what the Detroit Lions need to do to clinch a playoff berth and win the NFC North title:
DET win or tie
Clinch a playoff berth with:
LAR loss or tie OR
SEA loss or tie
Kansas City Chiefs. Here’s another shocker: The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have a playoff spot yet. Say what? Here’s what the Kansas City Chiefs need to do to clinch a playoff berth and the AFC West title:
KC win OR
KC tie + DEN loss
Miami Dolphins. The Miami Dolphins aren’t in the playoffs yet, either, which is another shocker. Here’s what the Miami Dolphins have to do to clinch the AFC East title:
MIA win + BUF loss or tie OR
MIA tie + BUF loss
Clinch a playoff berth with:
MIA win OR
MIA tie + JAX loss OR
MIA tie + IND loss + HOU loss OR
MIA tie + IND loss or tie + CLE loss OR
MIA tie + HOU loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
MIA tie + CIN loss or tie + IND loss or tie
San Francisco 49ers. The San Francisco 49ers are in the playoffs, obviously. But, here’s what the 49ers have to do to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed (first-round bye, home-field advantage):
SF win + PHI loss + DAL loss + DET loss