Playoff scenarios heading into Week 17
Updated: December 25, 2011, 11:52 PM ET
ESPN.com
Below is the current AFC and NFC playoff picture through Week 16 with division-winning scenarios. All scenarios listed ignore the possibility of tie games. Clinching scenarios
AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
| Team | W-L | Current Status | Tiebreaker Status | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. &Patriots | 12-3 | 1st AFC East | Bills | |
| 2. #Ravens | 11-4 | 1st AFC North | Swept Steelers | at Bengals |
| 3. *Texans | 10-5 | 1st AFC South | Titans | |
| 4. Broncos | 8-7 | 1st AFC West | Better common games W-L than Raiders |
Chiefs |
| 5. #Steelers | 11-4 | Wild Card | at Browns | |
| 6. Bengals | 9-6 | Wild Card | Ravens | |
| 7. Raiders | 8-7 | Better strength of victory than Jets and Titans |
Chargers | |
| 8. Titans | 8-7 | Better common games W-L than Jets |
at Texans | |
| 9. Jets | 8-7 | at Dolphins |
NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
| Team | W-L | Current Status | Tiebreaker Status | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. &Packers | 14-1 | 1st NFC North | Lions | |
| 2. *49ers | 12-3 | 1st NFC West | Better conference W-L than Saints |
at Rams |
| 3. *Saints | 12-3 | 1st NFC South | Panthers | |
| 4. Giants | 8-7 | 1st NFC East | Beat Cowboys head-to-head (meet again in Week 17) |
Cowboys |
| 5. #Lions | 10-5 | Wild Card | at Packers | |
| 6. #Falcons | 9-6 | Wild Card | Buccaneers | |
| 7. Cowboys | 8-7 | at Giants |
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NFL WEEK 16 COVERAGE

- PLAYOFF MACHINE | SCENARIOS
- Follow the NFL on ESPN on Facebook
- Studs & Duds | Leaders | Nation blog
- Last Call | Fantasy | Total QBR rankings
COMMENTARY/BLOG POSTS
- Ashley Fox: Between the Tackles in Week 16
- Scouts Buzz: Giants-Jets was a struggle
- Outsiders: Newton truly one of a kind
- Schefter: Why Tebow has been struggling
- Seifert: Only one priority for the Packers
- Hensley: Ravens fail to hit stride
- Graziano: Giants' defense comes up big
- Sando: 49ers, Seahawks slug it out
- Taylor: Don't count on the Cowboys
- O'Connor: Coughlin outclasses Ryan
- Cimini: Jets' playoff dreams are dust
- Howard: Ryan must take the heat
- Kuharsky: Cook helps Titans stay alive
- Blogs: Wk. 16 Rapid Reaction | Wrap-ups
MNF: Saints 45, Falcons 16
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- NFL Future Power Rankings: GB is No. 1
- Joyner: Five breakout QB candidates
- Polian: NFL's most pivotal players in 2012
- Kiper: 2013 Big Board | 2012 breakouts
- FBO: NFC East needs | West | South | North

