With three weeks left in the NFL regular season, the field for the playoffs is starting to fill out. These decisions could come down to Week 16

Four NFL teams have already secured their playoff ticket: the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens.

Week 16 could also see further decisions on which teams will definitely be in the postseason.

The playoff scenarios in Week 16 in the AFC

Three more AFC teams can lock up their playoff spots this week. The Ravens can also set the next milestone and clinch the division title.

• The Baltimore Ravens win the AFC North in Week 16 …

• with a win (at the 49ers) + maximum tie by the Cleveland Browns (at the Texans)

• in case of a tie + Browns loss

• Apropos Browns: Cleveland can also secure the playoffs, but a lot has to come together for that to happen.

The Cleveland Browns secure a playoff ticket …

• by a win (at Texans) + Bengals loss (at Pittsburgh) + Broncos maximum tie (vs. Patriots) + Bills loss (at Chargers) + Dolphins minimum tie (vs. Cowboys) + Colts maximum tie (at Atlanta) OR

• by a win + maximum tie by the Steelers + loss by the Bills + minimum tie by the Dolphins + maximum tie by the Broncos OR

• by a win + maximum draw by the Steelers + loss by the Bills + minimum draw by the Dolphins + loss by the Jaguars (at the Buccaneers) + win by the Colts OR

• by a win + maximum tie by the Steelers + maximum tie by the Broncos + loss by the Jaguars + win by the Colts OR

• by a win + maximum Steelers tie + Bills loss + Chiefs win (vs. Raiders) + Colts win + Jaguars loss OR

• by a win + maximum Steelers tie + maximum Broncos tie + minimum Dolphins tie + Colts loss OR

• by a win + maximum tie by the Steelers + maximum tie by the Broncos + minimum tie by the Dolphins + loss by the Jaguars OR

• by a win + tie between Steelers and Bengals + loss by the Bills + win by the Colts + loss by the Jaguars

• Unusual, but true: The Chiefs are not yet a sure thing for the playoffs despite being well into the season. But that could change this week

through a win (against the Raiders)

• by a draw + loss of the Broncos (against Patriots)

• The Dolphins are also clearly on course for the postseason and can present themselves with a ticket during Christmas week.

The Miami Dolphins win the AFC East early …

• by a win (against the Cowboys) + maximum draw of the Bills (at the Chargers) OR

• by a tie + loss by the Bills

• The Miami Dolphins secure a playoff spot …

• through a win

• by a draw + defeat of the Jaguars (at the Buccaneers)

• by a tie + Colts loss (to the Falcons) + Texans loss (to the Browns)

• by a draw + maximum draw of the Colts + defeat of the Browns (at the Texans)

• by a tie + maximum tie by the Texans + maximum tie by the Bengals (at the Steelers)

• by a tie + maximum tie by the Bengals + maximum tie by the Colts

The playoff scenarios in Week 16 in the NFC

In the NFC, the situation in Week 16 is a little clearer. Only the Detroit Lions can be added as a new playoff team

The Detroit Lions win the NFC North early …

by at least a tie (with the Vikings)

The Detroit Lions secure a playoff ticket …

• through at most a draw by the Rams (against the Saints)

• by at most a draw of the Seahawks (at the Titans)

• In addition, the San Francisco 49ers can secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC early and thus the bye week in the first round of the playoffs.

The San Francisco 49ers clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC early …

by a win (vs. Ravens) + Eagles’ loss (vs. Giants) + Cowboys’ loss (at Dolphins) + Lions’ loss (at Vikings)