AFC Playoff clinching scenarios for Week 17

We are already heading into Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season, which means that more teams have a shot at clinching the playoffs this week.

During Week 17, five different AFC teams have a shot at clinching a playoff spot if things go right for them.

Check out the tweet below to see this week’s scenarios. As you can see, some of the scenarios get a little crazy to follow!

Note: The Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched a playoff spot in the AFC.

BUFFALO BILLS (9-6) (vs. Atlanta (7-8), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

Buffalo clinches playoff berth with:

1. BUF win + BAL loss or tie OR
2. BUF win + LAC loss or tie + LV loss or tie OR
3. BUF tie + MIA loss or tie + LAC loss + LV loss OR
4. BUF tie + MIA loss or tie + LAC loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
5. BUF tie + MIA loss or tie + LV loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
6. BUF tie + NE loss or tie + LAC Loss + LV loss OR
7. BUF tie + NE loss or tie + LAC loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
8. BUF tie + NE loss or tie + LV loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
9. BUF tie + LAC loss + LV loss + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie

CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-6) (vs. Kansas City (11-4), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, CBS)

Cincinnati clinches AFC North division title with:

1. CIN win OR
2. CIN tie + BAL loss or tie OR
3. BAL loss + CLE-PIT tie

Cincinnati clinches playoff berth with:

1. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV loss + MIA loss or tie OR
2. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV loss + NE loss OR
3. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV tie + MIA loss or tie + NE win OR
4. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV tie + NE tie + MIA tie + BUF win or tie OR
5. CIN tie + LAC loss + LV tie + NE loss + MIA win + BUF win or tie

NOTE: There are other clinching scenarios for Cincinnati that involve multiple tie games.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-6) (vs. Las Vegas (8-7), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

Indianapolis clinches playoff berth with:

1. IND win OR
2. IND tie + BAL loss + NE loss or tie OR
3. IND tie + BAL loss + MIA loss or tie

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-4) (at Cincinnati (9-6), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, CBS)

Kansas City clinches AFC’s No. 1 seed, only first-round bye and homefield advantage with:

1. KC win + TEN loss or tie OR
2. KC tie + TEN loss

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-6) (vs. Jacksonville (2-13), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, CBS)

New England clinches playoff berth with:

1. NE win + MIA loss or tie OR
2. NE win + LV loss or tie OR
3. NE tie + MIA loss + LV loss + LAC loss or tie OR
4. NE tie + MIA loss + BAL loss or tie OR
5. NE tie + LV loss + LAC loss + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR
6. NE tie + LV loss + LAC loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + MIA win + BUF win

NOTE: There are other clinching scenarios for New England that involve multiple tie games.

TENNESSEE TITANS (10-5) (vs. Miami (8-7), Sunday, 1:00 PM ET, CBS)

Tennessee clinches AFC South division title with:

1. TEN win OR
2. IND loss OR
3. TEN tie + IND tie

Tennessee clinches playoff berth with:

1. TEN tie OR
2. LAC loss or tie + BAL loss or tie OR
3. LAC loss or tie + NE loss or tie OR
4. BAL loss or tie + NE loss or tie