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Week 15 playoff scenarios: Broncos, Colts, Patriots in position to clinch

Five teams can clinch playoff spots on Sunday, with three AFC teams needing just a win or tie this week to wrap up division titles.

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Here are the NFL Week 15 postseason scenarios:

Arizona Cardinals (11-3)

Clinch a playoff spot:

• DAL-PHI does not end in a tie, or ...
• DET loss plus ARI clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over GB, or ...
• DET loss plus GB win or tie

Green Bay Packers (10-3)

Clinch a playoff spot:

• GB win plus DAL loss plus GB clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over DAL

Denver Broncos (10-3)

Clinch the AFC West:

• Win or tie

Clinch a playoff spot:

• MIA loss or tie plus HOU loss or tie plus CIN loss plus PIT loss, or ...
• MIA loss or tie plus HOU loss or tie plus BAL loss plus CLE loss or tie, or ...
• MIA loss or tie plus HOU loss or tie plus BAL loss plus PIT win

Clinch a first-round bye:

• Win plus IND loss plus CIN loss plus PIT loss or tie, or ...
• Win plus IND loss plus CIN loss plus DEN clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over PIT

New England Patriots (10-3)

Clinch the AFC East:

• Win or tie

Clinch a playoff spot:

• BUF loss or tie plus CIN loss plus PIT loss plus BAL loss plus HOU loss or tie, or ...
• BUF loss or tie plus CIN loss plus PIT loss plus KC loss or tie plus SD loss, or ...
• BUF loss or tie plus HOU loss or tie plus KC loss or tie plus SD loss plus BAL loss

Clinch a first-round bye:

• Win plus IND loss plus PIT loss or tie plus CIN loss or tie, or ...
• Win plus IND loss plus PIT loss or tie plus DEN loss

Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

Clinch the AFC South:

• Win or tie