All Possible Playoff Scenarios for NFL Week 17; Will Your Team Clinch?

Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

Firstly, in regards to playoff implications, there are two games that go without saying.

One is the NFC South Championship Game between the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, and the other is AFC North Championship Game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals.

For the Falcons vs Panthers, it’s simple: winner goes to the playoffs and loser doesn’t. Though both of these teams have dubious below .500 records, due to the NFL’s division format, one of these teams will not only make the playoffs, but will have the favorable situation of hosting a wild-card matchup against a better team. The 9-6 Eagles must be furious right about now.

On November 16th the Falcons beat the Panthers in Carolina 19-17.

For the Steelers vs Bengals, its also simple. Both the Bengals and Steelers have clinched a playoff spot, but the winner will clinch the division and subsequently have homefield advantage for their wild-card game.

On December 7th, the Steelers beat the Bengals 42-21 in Cincinnati.

Now for all other scenarios:

DENVER BRONCOS (vs. Oakland)

Denver clinches a first-round bye with:

1) DEN win or tie OR

2) CIN loss OR

3) CIN tie + IND win

ARIZONA CARDINALS (at San Francisco)

Arizona clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

1) ARI win + SEA loss or tie + GB loss or tie OR

2) ARI tie + SEA loss + DAL loss or tie + GB/DET tie

Arizona clinches a first-round bye with:

1) ARI win + SEA loss or tie OR

2) ARI tie + SEA loss + DAL loss or tie OR

3) ARI tie + SEA loss + GB/DET tie

Arizona clinches NFC West with:

1) ARI win + SEA loss or tie OR

2) ARI tie + SEA loss

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (at Kansas City)

San Diego clinches a playoff spot with:

1) SD win OR

2) SD tie + BAL loss or tie

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (vs. San Diego)

Kansas City clinches a playoff spot with:

1) KC win + BAL loss + HOU loss or tie

DALLAS COWBOYS (at Washington)

Dallas clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

1) DAL win + ARI loss or tie + DET/GB tie

Dallas clinches a first-round bye with:

1) DAL win + SEA loss or tie + ARI loss or tie OR

2) DAL win + DET/GB tie OR

3) DAL tie + SEA loss + ARI loss OR

4) DAL tie + SEA tie + ARI loss or tie + DET/GB does not end in a tie

DETROIT LIONS (at Green Bay)

Detroit clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

1) DET win + SEA loss or tie + ARI loss or tie OR

2) DET tie + SEA loss + ARI loss + DAL loss or tie

Detroit clinches a first-round bye with:

1) DET win OR

2) DET tie + DAL loss or tie OR

3) DET tie + SEA loss + ARI loss

Detroit clinches NFC North with:

1) DET win or tie

GREEN BAY PACKERS (vs. Detroit)

Green Bay clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

1) GB win + SEA loss or tie

Green Bay clinches NFC North and a first-round bye with:

1) GB win

BALTIMORE RAVENS (vs. Cleveland)

Baltimore clinches a playoff spot with:

1) BAL win + SD loss or tie OR

2) BAL tie + SD loss

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (vs. St. Louis)

Seattle clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

1) SEA win + DET/GB game does not end in a tie OR

2) SEA win + DAL loss or tie OR

3) SEA tie + ARI loss or tie + DAL loss or tie + GB/DET tie

Seattle clinches a first-round bye with:

1) SEA win OR

2) SEA tie + ARI loss or tie + DAL loss OR

3) SEA tie + ARI loss or tie + GB/DET tie

Seattle clinches NFC West with:

1) SEA win OR

2) SEA tie + ARI loss or tie OR

3) ARI loss

HOUSTON TEXANS (vs. Jacksonville)

Houston clinches a playoff spot with:

1) HOU win + BAL loss + SD loss