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Week 15 playoff scenarios: Lions could clinch NFC North as soon as Sunday

Posted at 4:32 PM, Dec 13, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-13 18:48:20-05
NEW YORK (AP) -- After beating the Ravens on Monday night, the Patriots are closing in on their nearly annual AFC East title.
   
The Patriots (11-2) can clinch the division with a win or Miami loss and can clinch a bye with some additional help.
   
The Chiefs (10-3) also can secure a playoff berth with a victory on Sunday or a Denver loss and a loss by either the Ravens or Steelers.
   
The Raiders (10-3) can end their lengthy playoff drought with a win or a Dolphins loss combined with other games.
   
In the NFC, the only team to clinch a postseason spot thus far is the Dallas Cowboys (11-2). The Cowboys secure the NFC East title and a first-round bye with a win and a Giants loss.
   
The Lions (9-4) can clinch the NFC North with a win and a Packers loss.
   
The Seahawks (8-4-1) can take the NFC West with a win Thursday night against the Rams.
 
NFL Playoff Scenarios
By The Associated Press
Week 15
 
AFC
NEW ENGLAND (11-2) at Denver (8-5), Sunday
   Clinches AFC East with:
   -- Win or tie, OR
   -- Miami loss or tie
   Clinches first-round bye with:
   -- Win or tie, OR
   -- Miami loss or tie and Pittsburgh loss or tie
   -- Miami loss or tie and Kansas City win
KANSAS CITY (10-3) vs. Tennessee (7-6), Sunday
   Clinches playoff berth with:
   -- Win, OR
   -- Tie and Miami loss or Denver loss or tie, OR
   -- Denver loss and Baltimore or Pittsburgh loss or tie
OAKLAND (10-3) at San Diego (5-8), Sunday
   Clinches playoff berth with:
   -- Win, OR
   -- Tie and Miami or Denver loss, OR
   -- Tie and Miami and Denver tie, OR
   -- Tie and Miami tie and Kansas City win, OR
   -- Miami loss and Pittsburgh loss or tie and Denver loss, OR
   -- Miami loss and Pittsburgh loss or tie and Kansas City win or tie, OR
   -- Miami loss and Baltimore loss or tie and Denver loss, OR
   -- Miami loss and Baltimore loss or tie and Kansas City win or tie
   
NFC
   CLINCHED: Dallas - playoff berth
DALLAS (11-2) vs. Tampa Bay (8-5), Sunday night
   Clinches NFC East and first-round bye with:
   -- Win and N.Y. Giants loss or tie, OR
   -- Tie and N.Y. Giants loss
   Clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
   -- Win and N.Y. Giants-Detroit tie
DETROIT (9-4) at N.Y. Giants (9-4), Sunday
   Clinches NFC North with:
   -- Win and Green Bay loss or tie, OR
   -- Tie and Green Bay loss and Minnesota loss or tie
SEATTLE (8-4-1) vs. Los Angeles (4-9), Thursday night
   Clinches NFC West with:
   -- Win or tie, OR
   -- Arizona loss or tie
NEW YORK GIANTS (9-4) vs. Detroit (9-4), Sunday= New York clinches playoff berth with:
   -- Win and Washington loss and Minnesota loss or tie and Green Bay loss or tie