2023 NFL Week 16 playoff-clinching scenarios: How Browns, Chiefs, Lions and more can secure spots, divisions

Week 15 is in the books, and Week 16 is fast approaching, which means the 2023 NFL playoffs are also just around the corner. And a half-dozen teams can secure different postseason standings this coming weekend.

Here are all the scenarios:

Clinch AFC North title with:

• BAL win + CLE loss or tie OR
• BAL tie + CLE loss

Week 16 opponent: at 49ers

Clinch a playoff berth with:

• CLE win + CIN loss + DEN loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + IND loss or tie OR
• CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
• CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + MIA win or tie + DEN loss or tie OR
• CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + JAX loss + IND win OR
• CLE win + PIT loss or tie + BUF loss + KC win + IND win + JAX loss OR
• CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + IND loss OR
• CLE win + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss or tie + MIA win or tie + JAX loss OR
• CLE win + CIN-PIT tie + BUF loss + IND win + JAX loss

Clinch a playoff berth and NFC North title with:

• DET win or tie

Clinch a playoff berth with:

• LAR loss or tie OR
• SEA loss or tie

Clinch a playoff berth and AFC West title with:

• KC win OR
• KC tie + DEN loss

Clinch AFC East title with:

• MIA win + BUF loss or tie OR
• MIA tie + BUF loss

Clinch a playoff berth with:

• MIA win OR
• MIA tie + JAX loss OR
• MIA tie + IND loss + HOU loss OR
• MIA tie + IND loss or tie + CLE loss OR
• MIA tie + HOU loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
• MIA tie + CIN loss or tie + IND loss or tie

San Francisco 49ers

Clinch NFC’s No. 1 seed (first-round bye, home-field advantage) with:

• SF win + PHI loss + DAL loss + DET loss