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NFL playoff picture: Four more spots secured in Week 15
Texans and Chiefs are surging in the AFC, while Cardinals wrapped up the NFC West title.
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USA TODAY Sports
12:45 a.m. EST December 22, 2015
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USA TODAY Sports’ Lindsay Jones offers perspective on the biggest storylines heading into Week 16.
Dec 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselback (8) shakes hands with Houston Texans Defensive end J.J. Watt (99) after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Texans won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
(Photo: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports)
Here’s how the NFL playoff picture stands with the games already completed in Week 15.
(x = playoff berth clinched, y = first-round bye clinched, z = division clinched)
NFC
1. yz — Carolina Panthers (14-0): The Panthers can secure home field with one more win or an Arizona loss or tie.
2. z — Arizona Cardinals (12-2): With the NFC West firmly in hand, Arizona now sets its sights on a first-round bye, which will be awarded with one win in the final two weeks.
3. x — Green Bay Packers (10-4): The Packers clinched a playoff spot with the Giants’ loss. However they still need another victory and Minnesota defeat to claim the NFC North title and a home playoff game at Lambeau Field.
4. Washington Redskins (7-7): They control their fate and can wrap up the NFC East a week early by beating the Eagles on Saturday. But Philadelphia would win the division if they win their final two games.
5. x — Seattle Seahawks (9-5): A wild-card spot is assured, but that’s the best Seattle can do after Arizona put the NFC West out of reach.
6.Minnesota Vikings (9-5): The Vikings didn’t clinch this week, but they looked like a playoff team in a win against the Bears. They’ll reach the tournament with one more win (or another Seahawks win or Falcons loss).
Next up: Atlanta Falcons (7-7), Philadelphia Eagles (6-8), New York Giants (6-8)
Eliminated: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-8), St. Louis Rams (6-8), New Orleans Saints (5-9), Chicago Bears (5-9), Detroit Lions (5-9), San Francisco 49ers (4-10), Dallas Cowboys (4-10)
AFC
1. yz — New England Patriots (12-2): The AFC East champs secured a first-round bye courtesy of the Broncos’ loss. With one more win, the Pats will be the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
2. x — Cincinnati Bengals (11-3): They earned a fifth consecutive playoff trip with Sunday’s win but still haven’t secured the AFC North. Week 16’s Monday night game at Denver looms large. Beat the Broncos, and the Bengals win their division and a first-round bye.
3. Denver Broncos (10-4): They’re very much in danger of falling into the clutches of the Chiefs in the AFC West race but will win the division with a victory and Kansas City loss in Week 16. Denver is also still in play for a first-round bye but must beat the Bengals on Monday first.
4. Houston Texans (7-7): The franchise’s first win in Indianapolis after 13 consecutive losses puts them in control of AFC South. They’ll win the division with one more win and a Colts loss. Houston may only need a win Sunday if certain tiebreakers fall into place.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5): Eight straight win puts them a step closer to playoffs. They’re in with one more win and a loss by either the Jets or Steelers.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5): In terms of the tiebreaker formula, their defeat of the Broncos trumped the Jets’ win over Dallas, vaulting Pittsburgh into the sixth spot ahead of New York. They’ll lock it up with one more win and a loss by the Jets, who host the Patriots on Sunday.
Next up: New York Jets (9-5), Indianapolis Colts (6-8), Jacksonville Jaguars (5-9)
Eliminated: Oakland Raiders (6-8), Buffalo Bills (6-8), Miami Dolphins (5-9), Baltimore Ravens (4-10), San Diego Chargers (4-10), Cleveland Browns (3-11), Tennessee Titans (3-11)
PHOTOS: Best of NFL Week 15
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