NFL
Which teams can reach the playoffs in NFL Week 16?
After the Titans' win over the 49ers confirmed the Cowboys' playoff spot on Thursday, six more teams can qualify for the postseason in Week 16.
Following the Tennessee Titans’ win over the San Francisco 49ers in the first game of Week 16 on Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys have been confirmed as the second team to qualify for the 2021 NFL playoffs.
The Cowboys follow the Green Bay Packers in clinching their postseason spot, after the Packers secured the NFC North division title with victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15.
Six teams can join Dallas and Green Bay in the postseason in Week 16:
AFC
Chiefs: can reach playoffs and win AFC West
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs can clinch the AFC West division if they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers fail to win. Another combination that would seal the division title would be a tie with Pittsburgh and a Chargers defeat.
The Chiefs will make sure of a playoff spot with their 10th win of the season. If they tie with the Steelers, they need either the Buffalo Bills or the Indianapolis Colts to lose, or the Cincinnati Bengals vs the Baltimore Ravens not to end all square.
Patriots: can reach playoffs and win AFC East
The New England Patriots can secure their 18th AFC East division title in the last 21 years with a win over the Buffalo Bills and a defeat for the Miami Dolphins.
The Patriots can guarantee a playoff place in five different ways. All require a victory over Buffalo, plus: 1) a loss or tie for the Las Vegas Raiders and a defeat for the Chargers; 2) a Colts loss or tie, plus a defeat for the Bengals; 3) a Colts loss or tie, a Ravens defeat and a Steelers loss or tie; 4) a Colts loss or tie and a Chargers defeat; 5) a Ravens loss, a Cleveland Browns defeat or tie and a Steelers loss or tie.
Titans: can reach playoffs and win AFC South
In the AFC South, the Titans will be confirmed as division champions if the Colts lose.
The Titans will be assured of a playoff spot if the Dolphins, the Denver Broncos and the Browns all lose or tie, and the Bills suffer defeat; or if the Dolphins, the Broncos, the Browns and the Ravens all lose or tie, and the Bills lose.
NFC
Cardinals: can reach playoffs
In the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals will make sure of qualification for the postseason with a win or a tie against the Colts. If the Cardinals lose, their place in the playoffs will still be guaranteed if one of the the Philadelphia Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings or the New Orleans Saints lose or tie.
Cowboys: through to playoffs, can win NFC East
The Titans’ win over San Francisco means the Dallas Cowboys are through to the playoffs. Mike McCarthy’s men will win the NFC East title if they beat or tie with the Washington Football Team, if Philadelphia lose or tie, or if they manage at least a tie in their strength-of-victory tiebreaker with the Eagles.
Rams: can reach playoffs
The Rams will qualify for the playoffs if they win or tie, or if both the Eagles and the Saints lose or tie.
Buccaneers: can reach playoffs and win NFC South
In the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will win the division title if they beat or tie with the Carolina Panthers, or if the Saints lose or tie.
The Bucs will be guaranteed at least a playoff berth if: the Vikings and the Eagles lose or tie; the Vikings lose or tie and the Cowboys win or tie; or the Vikings lose or tie and Dallas earn at least a tie in their strength-of-victory tiebreaker with the Philadelphia.
Week 16 schedule in full:
Thursday 23 December
San Francisco 49ers 17-20 Tennessee Titans
Saturday 25 December
Cleveland Browns vs Green Bay Packers - 4:30pm ET
Indianapolis Colts vs Arizona Cardinals - 8:15pm ET
Sunday 26 December
New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles - 1pm ET
Los Angeles Rams vs Minnesota Vikings - 1pm ET
Buffalo Bills vs New England Patriots - 1pm ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers - 1pm ET
Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets - 1pm ET
Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons - 1pm ET
Los Angeles Chargers vs Houston Texans - 1pm ET
Baltimore Ravens vs Cincinnati Bengals - 1pm ET
Chicago Bears vs Seattle Seahawks - 4:05pm ET
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Kansas City Chiefs - 4:25pm ET
Denver Broncos vs Las Vegas Raiders - 4:25pm ET
Washington Football Team vs Dallas Cowboys - 8:20pm ET
Monday 27 December
Miami Dolphins vs New Orleans Saints - 8:15pm ET