NFL Week 17 playoff-clinching scenarios: How Packers and Chiefs can secure No. 1 seeds in AFC, NFC

Just two weeks remain in the NFL’s regular season, but we still have some jam-packed action in front of us as the playoff picture is still taking shape. Only the Kansas City Chiefs have secured their spot in the postseason in the AFC, but that has the chance to change this week as five other teams in the conference can punch their ticket this weekend. That includes the Titans and Bengals, who have a division title in sight. Meanwhile, the NFC could see the 49ers and Eagles ensure their spot, while the Rams could lock up the NFC West by the end of Sunday. 

Of course, the headliner to Week 17 could be the top seeds in each conference also being solidified as the Packers and Chiefs both have scenarios in front of them to clinch a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason. 

Below, you can find out what each team needs to do in order to reserve their spot in the playoffs and keep their dreams of a Super Bowl LVI run alive. 

Buffalo Bills (9-6)

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. BUF win + BAL loss or tie OR
2. BUF win + LAC loss or tie + LV loss or tie OR
3. BUF tie + MIA loss or tie + LAC loss + LV loss OR
4. BUF tie + MIA loss or tie + LAC loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
5. BUF tie + MIA loss or tie + LV loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
6. BUF tie + NE loss or tie + LAC Loss + LV loss OR
7. BUF tie + NE loss or tie + LAC loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
8. BUF tie + NE loss or tie + LV loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
9. BUF tie + LAC loss + LV loss + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie

Week 17 opponent: Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on FOX)

Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)

Clinches AFC North division title with:

1. CIN win OR
2. CIN tie + BAL loss or tie OR
3. BAL loss + CLE-PIT tie

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV loss + MIA loss or tie OR
2. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV loss + NE loss OR
3. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV tie + MIA loss or tie + NE win OR
4. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV tie + NE tie + MIA tie + BUF win or tie OR
5. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV tie + NE loss + MIA win + BUF win or tie

Note: There are other clinching scenarios for Cincinnati that involve multiple tie games.

Week 17 opponent: Chiefs (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Indianapolis Colts (9-6) 

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. IND win OR
2. IND tie + BAL loss + NE loss or tie OR
3. IND tie + BAL loss + MIA loss or tie

Week 17 opponent: Raiders (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on FOX)

Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)

Clinches AFC’s No. 1 seed, first-round bye, and home-field advantage with:

1. KC win + TEN loss or tie OR
2. KC tie + TEN loss

Week 17 opponent: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

New England Patriots (9-6) 

 Clinches playoff berth with:

1. NE win + MIA loss or tie OR
2. NE win + LV loss or tie OR
3. NE tie + MIA loss + LV loss + LAC loss or tie OR
4. NE tie + MIA loss + BAL loss or tie OR
5. NE tie + LV loss + LAC loss + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
6. NE tie + LV loss + LAC loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + MIA win + BUF win

Note: There are other clinching scenarios for New England that involve multiple tie games.

Week 17 opponent: Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Tennessee Titans (10-5) 

Clinches AFC South division title with:

1. TEN win OR
2. IND loss OR
3. TEN tie + IND tie

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. TEN tie OR
2. LAC loss or tie + BAL loss or tie OR
3. LAC loss or tie + NE loss or tie OR
4. BAL loss or tie + NE loss or tie

 Week 17 opponent: Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)

Green Bay Packers (12-3) 

Clinches NFC’s No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage with:

1. GB win + DAL loss or tie OR
2. GB tie + DAL loss + LAR loss + TB loss or tie OR
3. GB tie + DAL loss + LAR tie + TB loss

Week 17 opponent: Vikings (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC) 

Los Angeles Rams (11-4) 

Clinch NFC West division title with:

1. LAR win + ARI loss or tie OR
2. LAR tie + ARI loss

Week 17 opponent: at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on FOX)

Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) 

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. PHI win + MIN loss or tie + NO loss or tie OR
2. PHI win + MIN loss or tie + SF win or tie OR
3. PHI tie + MIN loss + NO loss + ATL loss or tie OR
4. PHI tie + MIN loss + NO tie + ATL loss or tie + SF win or tie

Week 17 opponent: at Washington (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET on FOX)

San Francisco 49ers (8-7) 

Clinches playoff berth with:

1. SF win + NO loss or tie OR
2. SF tie + MIN loss or tie + NO loss + ATL loss or tie

Week 17 opponent: Texans (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. on CBS — stream on Paramount+)