NFL Playoff-Clinching Scenarios Week 15: Which Teams Can Secure Postseason Berths?

Updated
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Bo Nix runs the ball.

Only four games remain in the 2025 NFL regular season. Which teams can secure berths in the postseason in Week 15? Here are this week’s NFL playoff-clinching scenarios.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are 11-2 and in a prime position to clinch a berth in the 2025 NFL Playoffs.

The simplest outcome is a win-and-in. If the Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers, then Denver secures a playoff berth.

Denver can still make the postseason in the following scenarios:

  • Houston Texans lose/tie to the Arizona Cardinals, and the Indianapolis Colts lose/tie to the Seattle Seahawks, as long as both games don’t end in ties.
  • Broncos tie, and the Los Angeles Chargers lose to the Kansas City Chiefs
  • Broncos tie, and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the New York Jets
  • Broncos tie, and the Houston Texans lose/tie to the Arizona Cardinals
  • Broncos tie, and the Indianapolis Colts lose/tie to the Seattle Seahawks

The Broncos host the Packers on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

New England Patriots

It’s been a dream season for the New England Patriots. Under the first year with Mike Vrabel at the helm, the Patriots are 11-1 and on the verge of the postseason.

The Patriots host their rival, the Buffalo Bills, in a game with significant AFC East implications. If New England wins, then the Patriots clinch the AFC East and their ticket to the postseason.

Without a win, the Patriots can still clinch a playoff spot in the following scenarios:

  • Patriots tie, and the Los Angeles Chargers lose to the Kansas City Chiefs
  • Patriots tie, and the Houston Texans lose/tie to the Arizona Cardinals
  • Patriots tie, and the Indianapolis Colts lose/tie to the Seattle Seahawks
  • Patriots tie, and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the New York Jets
  • Houston Texans lose/tie to the Arizona Cardinals, and the Indianapolis Colts lose/tie to the Seattle Seahawks, as long as both games don’t end in ties.

The Patriots host the Bills (9-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Los Angeles Rams

After falling short against the Carolina Panthers in Week 13, the Los Angeles Rams bounced back with a 45-17 win over the Cardinals in Week 14.

The Rams are first in the NFC with a 10-3 record. With Matthew Stafford playing at an MVP level and a young defense getting better by the week, the Rams look like a Super Bowl juggernaut.

The Rams can clinch a postseason berth with a win over the Detroit Lions. The Lions have defeated the Rams in two consecutive games, including a victory in the 2023-2024 Wild Card round.