NFL playoff picture: Patriots, Broncos, Rams can each clinch playoff berths in Week 15

Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks heading to the full slate of Week 15 games, with some teams who can clinch postseason tickets:

AFC

1. Denver Broncos (11-2): Up next — vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:25 ET
The Broncos can clinch a playoff berth with one of these scenarios:

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• Victory over Packers
• Tie with Packers AND Chargers loss vs. Chiefs
• Tie with Packers AND Jaguars loss vs. Jets
• Tie with Packers AND Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals
• Tie with Packers AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks
• Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks (if Texans and Colts both tie, then the Broncos don’t clinch in this scenario)

Notable odds: The Broncos are a virtual lock to make the playoffs at 99%, per NFL.com. The Athletic’s playoff scenario generator gives them an 87% shot at winning the AFC West.

2. New England Patriots (11-2): Up next — vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET.
The Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with one of these scenarios:

• Victory over Bills (clinches AFC East)
• Tie with Bills AND Chargers loss vs. Chiefs
• Tie with Bills AND Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals
• Tie with Bills AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks
• Tie with Bills AND Jaguars loss vs. Jets
• Texans loss or tie vs. Cardinals AND Colts loss or tie vs. Seahawks (if Texans and Colts both tie, then the Patriots don’t clinch in this scenario)

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Notable odds: With a clear edge over the Bills and a head-to-head victory, the Patriots are closing in on securing the AFC East title, at about 90% to win it, per The Athletic. They have the highest odds of anyone to grab the top seed in the AFC.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4): Up next — vs. New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Notable odds: The Jags are the leaders in the AFC South, and are at 97% likely to make the postseason, per NFL.com.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6): Up next — vs. Miami Dolphins, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Notable odds: The Steelers lead the AFC North. Their odds of clinching a playoff berth are at about 70%, per The Athletic.

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5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4): Up next — at Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

Notable odds: The Chargers have a 74% shot at making the playoffs, via NFL.com, but they are still very much a long shot to catch the Broncos for the division title (13%, according to the Athletic).

6. Buffalo Bills (9-4): Up next — At New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET.

Notable odds: While Buffalo’s chances at catching up to New England to win the division title are slim (11% according to The Athletic), the Bills are still very likely to qualify for the postseason, at 98%.

7. Houston Texans (8-5): Up next — vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

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Notable odds: The Texans’ odds to make the playoffs are north of 90%, per NFL.com and The Athletic.

Still in the AFC picture

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-5): Up next — At Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: The Colts have just a 28% shot at making the playoffs now, per NFL.com.

9. Baltimore Ravens (6-7): Up next — At Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: With back-to-back losses, the Ravens have plummeted to bubble team status in the AFC hunt. They have 33% odds of making the postseason, according to NFL.com

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7): Up next — vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Kansas City has a 12% chance to make the playoffs, per NFL.com. If they fail to get in, it’ll be the first time in more than a decade that the Chiefs haven’t made the postseason.

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NFC

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3): Up next — vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 4:25 ET
The Rams can clinch a playoff berth with this scenario:

• Victory over Lions

Notable odds: The Rams are essentially a lock to make the playoffs (97% odds on NFL.com), but they are still in a very tight race with the Seahawks and 49ers in the NFC West. The No. 1 seed isn’t a lock by any means but the Rams are the favorites, per The Athletic’s playoff odds, at 48%.

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1): Up next — At Denver Broncos, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: The Packers, who entered Sunday’s game with 58% odds at The Athletic, are now massive favorites to win the NFC North at nearly 70%.

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3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5): Up next — vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Notable odds: Though they fell to the Chargers, the Eagles still have 92% odds to make the playoffs, via NFL.com. The top seed, however, is almost certainly out of reach.

4. Carolina Panthers (7-6): Up next — At New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET Notable odds: The Panthers have a 42% chance to both make the playoffs, per NFL.com.

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3): Up next — vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: Though almost a lock to make the playoffs (The Athletic and NFL.com have them with at least 97%) the Seahawks still aren’t the favorite to win the NFC West.

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4): Up next — vs. Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 4:25 ET
Notable odds: Strong playoff favorites at 95%, per The Athletic.

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7. Chicago Bears (9-4): Up next — vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Notable odds: The Bears have a 62% shot of making the playoffs, per NFL.com. They have a 26% shot at walking away with the NFC North crown, according to The Athletic.

Still in the NFC picture

8. Detroit Lions (8-5): Up next — At Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Notable odds: 51% to make the playoffs, per NFL.com. They have only a 6% chance to win the NFC North, per The Athletic.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): Up next — vs. Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Notable odds: The Buccaneers fell behind the Panthers in the NFC South standings on Thursday and have a 54% shot at making the playoffs, per NFL.com. A pair of games against the Panthers over the next month will be critical.

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10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1): Up next — vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
Notable odds: 11% to make the playoffs, according to The Athletic and NFL.com.

Already eliminated

• Washington Commanders (3-10)

• Atlanta Falcons (4-9)

• New York Jets (3-10)

• Cleveland Browns (3-10)

• Tennessee Titans (2-11)

• Arizona Cardinals (3-9)

• New Orleans Saints (3-10)

• Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)

• New York Giants (2-11)