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NFL playoff picture: Week 15 clinch scenarios for Broncos, Patriots and Colts

How the Broncos, Patriots, Colts, Cardinals and Packers can clinch a playoff spot this weekend.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Week 15 NFL playoff scenarios have been released by the NFL and they show that the Denver Broncos have an easy path to clinching the AFC West. If the Broncos beat the San Diego Chargers this weekend, they will be the AFC West champs.

It seems like years ago that we were talking about the Chiefs at 7-3 as a possible contender for the AFC West lead. Now the Chiefs are three games down with three to play and the Broncos hold the head to head tiebreaker. So.

Here's a look from the NFL at which teams can clinch in week 15.

DENVER BRONCOS (at San Diego)

Denver clinches AFC West division with:

1) DEN win or tie

Denver clinches a first-round bye with:

1) DEN win + IND loss + CIN loss + PIT loss or tie OR

2) DEN win + IND loss + CIN loss + DEN clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over PIT

Denver clinches a playoff spot with:

1) MIA loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + CIN loss + PIT loss OR

2) MIA loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + BAL loss + CLE loss or tie OR

3) MIA loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT win

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (vs. Miami)

New England clinches AFC East division with:

1) NE win or tie

New England clinches a first round bye with:

1) NE win + IND loss + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR

2) NE win + IND loss + PIT loss or tie + DEN loss

New England clinches a playoff spot with:

1) BUF loss or tie + CIN loss + PIT loss + BAL loss + HOU loss or tie OR

2) BUF loss or tie + CIN loss + PIT loss + KC loss or tie + SD loss OR

3) BUF loss or tie + HOU loss or tie + KC loss or tie + SD loss + BAL loss

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (vs. Houston)

Indianapolis clinches AFC South division with:

1) IND win or tie

ARIZONA CARDINALS (at St. Louis)

Arizona clinches a playoff spot with:

1) ARI win + DAL/PHI game does not end in a tie OR

2) ARI win + DET loss + ARI clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over GB OR

3) ARI win + DET loss + GB win or tie

GREEN BAY PACKERS (at Buffalo)

Green Bay clinches a playoff spot with:

1) GB win + DAL loss + GB clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over DAL

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