NFL Week 15 playoff-clinching scenarios

In the 2024 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched their playoff spot in Week 12. This season, we’re heading into Week 15 with no playoff berths yet clinched and the Chiefs nearly out of the picture completely.

It’s a different season in 2025, and with nine teams eliminated from the postseason picture after Week 14, there are still 23 teams alive in the race. And Week 15 could be when we finally see some teams clinch their playoff berth.

Which NFL teams could clinch a playoff berth in Week 15?

The NFL playoff race remains extremely tight, with five divisions separated by just a game. In the AFC, the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4), Houston Texans (8-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-5) are locked in a three-team battle in the AFC South, each competing for both the division title and wild-card positioning. A similar scenario exists in the NFC North, where the Green Bay Packers (9-3-1), Chicago Bears (9-4) and Detroit Lions (8-5) are all in contention entering the final month.

NFL standings after Week 14: Here’s what the playoff picture looks like

Week 15 could bring some clarity, as three teams have clinching opportunities: The Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Rams. Here’s how each of them could earn their postseason ticket in Week 15.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams play the Detroit Lions this Sunday, and their ticket to the playoffs is simple:

• Win (vs Lions)

Denver Broncos

The Broncos face the Green Bay Packers this Sunday, and there are multiple ways they could potentially clinch a playoff spot.

• Win (vs Packers)
• Tie (vs Packers) AND Jaguars loss (vs Jets)
• Tie (vs Packers) AND Chargers loss (vs Chiefs)
• Tie (vs Packers) AND Colts loss or tie (vs Seahawks)
• Tie (vs Packers) AND Texans loss or tie (vs Cardinals)
• Colts loss or tie (vs Seahawks) AND Texans loss or tie (vs Cardinals) *both games cannot result in a tie

New England Patriots

The Patriots face the Buffalo Bills this Sunday have the opportunity to clinch both the AFC East and a playoff berth.

• Win (vs Bills) *this would clinch the division and playoff berth
• Tie (vs Bills) AND Jaguars loss (vs Jets)
• Tie (vs Bills) AND Chargers loss (vs Chiefs)
• Tie (vs Bills) AND Colts loss or tie (vs Seahawks)
• Tie (vs Bills) AND Texans loss or tie (vs Cardinals)
• Colts loss or tie (vs Seahawks) AND Texans loss or tie (vs Cardinals) both games cannot result in a tie

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