The playoff race in the NFL is coming to a head with just two weeks of the regular season remaining. Six teams are certain to be in the mix in January, while some could punch their postseason ticket in Week 17

In week 16, the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions secured their place in the NFL playoffs.

In week 17, several teams could also make the playoffs. which decisions could be made and how this can be achieved.

NFL: The playoff scenarios in week 17 in the AFC
Four teams could punch a ticket to the playoffs this week in the AFC. The Ravens and Dolphins are already in for sure, but could clinch the division title.

The Baltimore Ravens (12-3) secure the AFC North:

Ravens win or tie (vs. Dolphins) OR

Browns loss or tie (vs. Jets)
Baltimore Ravens clinch the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and playoff home-field advantage:

Ravens win (vs. Dolphins)

For the Buffalo Bills (9-6), there are 14 ways to clinch a playoff spot:

• Bills win (vs. Patriots) + Steelers lose or tie (vs. Seahawks) + Bengals lose or tie (vs. Chiefs) OR

• Bills win + Steelers loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie (vs. Panthers) OR

• Bills win + Steelers lose or tie + Texans lose or tie (vs. Titans) + Colts lose or tie (vs. Raiders) OR

• Bills win + Bengals loss or tie + Jaguars loss or tie OR

• Bills win + Bengals loss or tie + Texans loss or tie + Colts loss or tie OR

• Bills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss OR

• Bills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Texans loss or tie OR

• Bills tie + Steelers loss + Bengals loss + Colts loss or tie OR

• Bills tie + Steelers loss + Jaguars loss + Texans loss or tie OR

• Bills tie + Steelers loss + Jaguars loss + Colts loss or tie OR

• Bills tie + Steelers loss + Texans loss + Colts loss OR

• Bills tie + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss + Texans loss or tie OR

• Bills tie + Bengals loss + Jaguars loss + Colts loss or tie OR

• Bills tie + Bengals loss + Texans loss + Colts loss

• The Cleveland Browns (10-5) also have a chance to clinch a postseason berth in Week 17:

Browns win or tie (vs. Jets) OR

• Steelers loss or tie (vs. Seahawks) OR

• Bills loss (vs. Patriots) OR

• Jaguars loss or tie (vs. Panthers) OR

• Texans loss or tie (vs. Titans) + Colts loss or tie (vs. Raiders)

• For the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7), there’s only one path to the AFC South division title this week and the playoff berth that comes with it:

Jaguars win (vs. Panthers) + Colts loss (vs. Raiders) + Texans loss (vs. Titans)
Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) could clinch AFC West division title and playoff berth in Week 17:

• Chiefs win or tie (vs. Bengals) OR

• Raiders loss or tie (vs. Colts) + Broncos loss or tie (vs. Chargers)

• The final decision that could come down to the NFL involves the Miami Dolphins (11-4). They could clinch the AFC East division title in Week 17:

• Dolphins win or lose (vs. Ravens) OR

• Bills loss or tie (vs. Patriots)