The NFL entered Week 15 with four teams qualified for its 2020 postseason. That number could triple by the end of the weekend. Five additional teams could at least clinch a playoff berth in the coming days, leaving five spots left to be decided in Weeks 16 and 17.
Here are all of the NFL playoff picture scenarios, along with analysis from ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) on the likelihood of them happening, after the Chargers beat the Raiders 30-27 on Thursday night. This post will be updated after the NFL’s games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Note: X denotes a team that has clinched a playoff berth, Y shows a team that has clinched its division and Z indicates a team that has secured a first-round bye.
AFC
FPI chances to make playoffs: Clinched
FPI chances to win division: Clinched
FPI chances to receive a bye: 92.6%
A week after clinching their fifth consecutive AFC West title, the Chiefs can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs this weekend with a win over the Saints and losses by the Steelers and Bills. And even if they lose to the Saints, FPI would still give them an 88% chance to eventually secure the No. 1 seed.
Remaining schedule: at Saints, vs. Falcons, vs. Chargers
