After 15 weeks of the 2010 regular season, only four teams have clinched playoff berths: the Patriots, Steelers, Bears, and Falcons. None has secured a bye. (Already, three teams that didn’t qualify in 2009 have won berths in 2010.)
With eight teams still to get in and all seeding issues to be resolved, let’s look at the possibilities for Week 16, as provided by the NFL.
First, the Patriots clinch the AFC East and the top seed in the conference with a win or a tie against the Bills, or with a Jets loss or a tie against the Bears.
Second, the Steelers clinch the AFC North and a first-round bye with a win over the Panthers and a Ravens loss at Cleveland.
Third, the Chiefs clinch the AFC West with a Chiefs win and a Chargers loss or tie or a Chiefs tie and a Chargers loss.
Fourth, the Ravens clinch a playoff berth with a win or a tie over the Browns or one of four other outcomes: (1) Chiefs loss and Jaguars loss or tie; (3) Chiefs loss and Colts loss or tie; (3) Chargers loss or tie and Jaguars loss or tie; or (4) Chargers loss or tie and Colts loss or tie.
Fifth, the Jets clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie, or a Jaguars loss or tie, or a Colts loss or tie.
In the NFC, the Falcons clinch the South division and the top seed in the conference with a win or a tie against the Saints on Monday night.
Next, the Eagles capture the NFC East with a win or with a tie and a Giants loss or tie, or with a Giants loss at Green Bay.
The Eagles clinch at least a wild-card berth with a tie or a Bucs loss or tie.
The Bears secure a first-round bye with a win over the Jets, an Eagles loss against the Vikings, and a Giants loss or tie.
The Saints clinch a wild-card berth with a win or a tie against the Falcons or a Bucs loss or tie against the Seahawks.
The Giants are in with a win over the Packers.
It all means that at least two divisions won’t be decided until Week 17 -- the AFC South and the NFC West.