NFL playoff picture and clinching scenarios Week 15 – Updated through all games

<div> <figure> <img alt="Kansas City Chiefs v Houston Texans" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/apac0ha3IWXGUqAnWWlz2mwq1pk=/0x0:5682x3788/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71761906/1245715400.20.jpg"> <figcaption>Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images</figcaption> </figure> <p>Our 2022 NFL playoff picture tracker is updated through the Week 15 Sunday games.</p> <p id="wY00tL">Week 15 of the 2022 NFL season is here, bringing us a little closer to the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs. As we work our way through the week’s schedule of games, the situation is getting a little clearer in both the NFC and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoff-picture">AFC playoff picture</a>. We are starting to have teams claim playoff positions and division championships, as well as teams being eliminated from postseason contention.</p> <p id="alMelN">Week 15 started with the <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> holding the top spot in the AFC, followed by the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> as the second seed. The <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> and <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> held the third and fourth seed, rounding out the division leaders. The <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a>, and <a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> were in the fifth, sixth, and seventh positions as wild-card contenders. Just outside the playoff spots were the <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a> and <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>. </p> <p id="Hrnk0n">Over in the NFC, the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> started the week as the top team in the conference and the only team locked into the playoffs. The <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> were second in the standings, followed by the <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> and <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a>. The wild card spots were held by the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>, Washington Commanders, and <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>, putting the entire NFC East in playoff positions. On the outside looking in were the <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> and <a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>.</p> <p id="ADSsyw">How will Week 15 shake up the standings? Here are the live standings and playoff scenarios, updated as the games are played:</p> <h3 id="gFoRVL">Week 15 Schedule and Results</h3> <p id="x74VHp"><strong>Final</strong><br><a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> 21 - 13 <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a><br><a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> 36 - 39 <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a><br><a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> 3 - 13 <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a><br><a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> 29 - 32 <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a><br><a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/">Atlanta Falcons</a> 18 - 21 <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a><br><a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> 24 - 16 <a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a><br><a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> 25 - 20 <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a><br><a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> 30 - 24 <a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/">Houston Texans</a> (OT)<br><a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> 34 - 40 <a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/">Jacksonville Jaguars</a> (OT)<br><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> 20 - 17 <a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a><br><a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> 15 - 24 <a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/">Denver Broncos</a><br><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/">New England Patriots</a> 24 - 30 <a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/">Las Vegas Raiders</a><br><a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a> 14 - 17 <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/">Los Angeles Chargers</a><br><a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Cincinnati Bengals</a> 34 - 24 <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a><br><a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> 20 - 12 <a href="http://hogshaven.com/">Washington Commanders</a><br><a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Los Angeles Rams</a> 12 - 24 <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a></p> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="TeDKcm"> <h3 id="4nszBY"> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoff-picture"><strong>AFC Playoff Picture</strong></a> (through Week 15)</h3> <p id="LynfOo"><strong>Clinching Scenarios:</strong></p> <p id="SMD1Oy"><strong>Buffalo Bills - Clinched playoff berth</strong></p> <ul><li id="hVcGen">Clinch playoff berth with <strong>Bills win</strong> OR <s>Bills tie</s> and <s>Chargers loss</s> OR <s>Bills tie</s> and <strong>Jets loss</strong> and <strong>Patriots loss</strong> OR <s>Bills tie</s> and <strong>Jets loss</strong> and <s>Patriots tie</s> and <s>Chargers tie</s> </li></ul> <p id="6qd8B2"><strong>Kansas City Chiefs - Clinched Division</strong></p> <ul> <li id="Z6nc6P">Clinch AFC West division title with <strong>Chief win </strong>OR <s>Chargers loss</s> OR <s>Chiefs tie</s> and <s>Chargers tie</s> </li> <li id="vilFuj">Clinch playoff berth with <s>Chiefs ti</s>e and <strong>Jets loss</strong> and <strong>Patriots loss</strong> OR <s>Chiefs tie</s> and <strong>Dolphins loss</strong> and <strong>Patriots loss</strong> and <s>Jets tie</s> OR <s>Chiefs tie</s> and <strong>Dolphins loss</strong> and <strong>Jets loss </strong>and <s>Patriots tie</s> </li> </ul> <p id="xy3uuE">1 - <a href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/"><strong>Buffalo Bills</strong></a> (11-3, AFC East leader)^<br>2 - <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/"><strong>Kansas City Chiefs</strong></a> (11-3, AFC West champion)+<br>3 - <a href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/"><strong>Cincinnati Bengals</strong></a> (10-4, AFC North leader)<br>4 - <a href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/"><strong>Tennessee Titans</strong></a> (7-7, AFC South leader)<br>5 - <a href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/"><strong>Baltimore Ravens</strong></a> (9-5, Wild Card 1)<br>6 - <a href="https://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/"><strong>Los Angeles Chargers</strong></a> (8-6, Wild Card 2)<br>7 - <a href="https://www.thephinsider.com/"><strong>Miami Dolphins</strong></a> (8-6, Wild Card 3)</p> <p id="J6eKrc"><strong>In the hunt</strong><br><a href="https://www.patspulpit.com/"><strong>New England Patriots</strong></a> (7-7)<br><a href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/"><strong>New York Jets</strong></a> (7-7)<br><a href="https://www.bigcatcountry.com/"><strong>Jacksonville Jaguars</strong></a> (6-8)<br><a href="https://www.silverandblackpride.com/"><strong>Las Vegas Raiders</strong></a> (6-8)<br><a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/"><strong>Cleveland Browns</strong></a> (6-8)<br><a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/"><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers</strong></a> (6-8)<br><a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/"><strong>Indianapolis Colts</strong></a> (4-9-1)</p> <p id="L0MTeH"><strong>Eliminated</strong><br><a href="https://www.milehighreport.com/"><strong>Denver Broncos</strong></a> (4-10)<br><a href="https://www.battleredblog.com/"><strong>Houston Texans</strong></a> (1-12-1)</p> <p id="98IlaX"><em>*Still to play</em><br><em>^Clinched playoff berth</em><br>+<em>Clinched division title</em></p> <p id="CbnMZl"><strong>Elimination Scenarios</strong></p> <p id="9beVhw"><strong>Indianapolis Colts - Cannot be eliminated</strong></p> <ul><li id="iAftHk">Eliminated from playoffs with <strong>Colts loss</strong> and <s>Titans win/tie</s> and <s>Jets win</s> OR <strong>Colts loss</strong> and <s>Titans win/tie</s> and <s>Patriots win</s> </li></ul> <p id="eE3zKy"><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers - Cannot be eliminated</strong></p> <ul><li id="6j5lvs">Eliminated from playoffs with <s>Steelers loss</s> and <s>Patriots win</s> OR <s>Steelers loss</s> and <s>Jets win</s> and <strong>Chargers win/tie</strong> OR <s>Steelers loss</s> and <strong>Chargers win</strong> and <s>Raiders tie</s> </li></ul> <p id="urdmBa"><strong>Cleveland Browns - Cannot be eliminated</strong></p> <ul><li id="nZPX9f">Eliminated from playoffs with <s>Browns loss</s> and <strong>Chargers win</strong> OR <s>Browns loss</s> and <s>Jets win</s> OR <s>Browns loss</s> and <s>Patriots win</s> </li></ul> <p id="hxVl6z"><strong>Las Vegas Raiders - Cannot be eliminated</strong></p> <ul><li id="iVV0rI">Eliminated from playoffs with <s>Raiders loss</s> and <s>Dolphins win/tie</s> OR <s>Radiers loss</s> and <s>Jets win/toss</s> </li></ul> <hr class="p-entry-hr" id="JWL7kq"> <h3 id="CICQEw"> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-playoff-picture">NFC Playoff Picture</a> (through Week 15)</h3> <p id="AmcK9l"><strong>Clinching Scenarios:</strong></p> <p id="igANcs"><strong>Dallas Cowboys - Clinched playoff berth</strong></p> <ul><li id="1ZBofC">Clinch playoff berth with <s>Cowboys win</s> OR <s>Cowboys tie</s> and Giants/Commanders does not end in tie OR <s>Cowboys tie</s> and <strong>Seahawks loss/tie</strong> OR <strong>Seahawks loss</strong> and <s>Lions loss/tie</s> OR <strong>Seahawks loss</strong> and <strong>Commanders loss</strong> </li></ul> <p id="WOWWTY"><strong>Minnesota Vikings - Cinched Division</strong></p> <ul><li id="bnCTNs">Clinch NFC North division title with <strong>Vikings win </strong>OR <s>Lions loss/tie</s> </li></ul> <p id="Luafnr"><strong>San Francisco 49ers - Clinched Division</strong></p> <ul><li id="HOCVVb">Clinch NFC West division title with <strong>49ers win</strong> </li></ul> <p id="D2H2BA">1 - <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/"><strong>Philadelphia Eagles</strong></a> (13-1, NFC East leader)^<br>2 - <a href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/"><strong>Minnesota Vikings</strong></a> (11-3, NFC North champion)+<br>3 - <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/"><strong>San Francisco 49ers</strong></a> (10-4, NFC West champion)+<br>4 - <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/"><strong>Tampa Bay Buccaneers</strong></a> (6-8, NFC South leader)<br>5 - <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/"><strong>Dallas Cowboys</strong></a> (10-4, Wild Card 1)^<br>6 - <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/"><strong>New York Giants</strong></a> (8-5-1, Wild Card 2)<br>7 - <a href="http://hogshaven.com/"><strong>Washington Commanders</strong></a> (7-6-1, Wild Card 3)</p> <p id="AOvw59"><strong>In the hunt</strong><br><a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/"><strong>Seattle Seahawks</strong></a> (7-7)<br><a href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/"><strong>Detroit Lions</strong></a> (7-7)<br><a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/"><strong>Green Bay Packers</strong></a> (6-8)<br><a href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/"><strong>Carolina Panthers</strong></a> (5-9)<br><a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/"><strong>New Orleans Saints</strong></a> (5-9)<br><a href="https://www.thefalcoholic.com/"><strong>Atlanta Falcons</strong></a> (5-9)</p> <p id="dkEc4v"><strong>Eliminated</strong><br><a href="https://www.turfshowtimes.com/"><strong>Los Angeles Rams</strong></a> (4-10)<br><a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/"><strong>Arizona Cardinals</strong></a> (4-10)<br><a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/"><strong>Chicago Bears</strong></a> (3-11)</p> <p id="0QOjU0"><em>*Still to play</em><br><em>^Clinched playoff berth</em><br>+<em>Clinched division title</em></p> <p id="BeMBhE"><strong>Elimination Scenarios</strong></p> <p id="2xNHLP"><strong>Arizona Cardinals - Eliminated</strong></p> <ul><li id="ZhKg2S">Eliminated from playoffs with <strong>Cardinals loss</strong> OR <s>Cardinals tie</s> and <s>Giants tie</s> </li></ul> <p id="HlWjiL"><strong>Los Angeles Rams - Eliminated</strong></p> <ul><li id="76L16c">Eliminated from playoffs with <strong>Rams loss </strong>OR <s>Rams tie</s> and <strong>Giants win/tie</strong> </li></ul> <p id="2tJi19"><strong>New Orleans Saints - Cannot be eliminated</strong></p> <ul><li id="DqnGN5">Eliminated from playoffs with <s>Saints loss</s> and <s>Buccaneers win/tie</s> OR <s>Saints loss</s> and <s>Panthers win</s> </li></ul> </div>