NFL playoff scenarios for Week 17: Which teams could clinch postseason spots, top seeds and more?

The next-to-final week in the NFL — Week 17! — is here for the 2024 season.

And while the current NFL playoff picture is pretty clear in AFC (five of the seven teams have clinched spots) and the NFC (three spots are available), that means there are still squads that are very much alive heading into the penultimate week of regular-season action.

So it’s time for that always fun and sometimes complicated breakdown of what needs to happen for certain teams heading into the week. Let’s break it all down by team and scenario, starting with a certain team playing on Christmas Day 2024:

AFC

Kansas City Chiefs

They can clinch the No. 1 seed — which means a bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs — with a win over the Steelers, OR if the Bills lose to the Jets this week.

Los Angeles Chargers

They can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Patriots OR if the Colts and Dolphins both lose their games.

Denver Broncos

It’s simple: a win over the Bengals and they’re in the postseason.

NFC

Detroit Lions

A win AND a Vikings loss to the Packers gives them the No. 1 seed in the NFC, with a bye and home-field throughout the playoffs.

Los Angeles Rams

They can grab the NFC West title with a win AND a Seahawks loss to the Bears. OR, they can win AND get the “strength of victory tiebreaker over the Seahawks, and per Rams Wire: they need 3.5 wins or more from the Vikings, Bills, Commanders, Bengals, 49ers and Browns to do so.

Philadelphia Eagles

A win over the Cowboys and they claim the NFC East throne. They can do the same if the Commanders lose to the Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons

A win over Washington AND a Bucs loss to the Panthers gives them the NFC South crown.

Washington Commanders

They can grab a playoff spot with a win over the Falcons OR if the Bucs lose to the Panthers.

If teams aren’t listed here, it’s because they’ve clinched playoff spots.