NFL playoff picture: How the Bills can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16

With their win over the New England Patriots last weekend, the Buffalo Bills kept their hopes for another AFC East title alive.

But here in Week 16, the Bills can take their next step to Super Bowl LX, by clinching a playoff spot.

Here is how Buffalo can lock up a spot in the AFC playoffs this weekend.

Buffalo Bills playoff berth clinching scenarios

The Bills travel to northeast Ohio to take on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, and that game gives them a chance to book a spot in the AFC playoffs.

But they might have to wait until Monday night to celebrate.

There are four ways Buffalo can clinch a playoff berth here in Week 16. The first (and the most probable) comes with a win over the Browns, and an Indianapolis Colts loss or tie against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. While that game is in Indianapolis, the visiting 49ers are favored.

Buffalo can also clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Browns, and a Houston Texans loss or tie against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. However, the Texans are heavy favorites in that game, making this the less-likely path.

Buffalo can also clinch a playoff spot if their game against Cleveland ends in a tie. If that game ends tied, a Colts loss OR a Texans loss gets the Bills into the playoffs.

AFC standings entering Week 16

Here are the full AFC standings as Week 16 begins:

1. Denver Broncos (12-2) – x
2. New England Patriots (11-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
6. Buffalo Bills (10-4)
7. Houston Texans (9-5)
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) – e
11. Miami Dolphins (6-8) – e
12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) – e
13. New York Jets (3-11) – e
14. Cleveland Browns (3-11) – e
15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) – e
16. Tennessee Titans (2-12) – e

x – Team has clinched a playoff spot
e – Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

AFC East standings

Here are the full standings in the AFC East, where the Bills are now just one game behind the Patriots:

1. New England Patriots (11-3)
2. Buffalo Bills (10-4)
3. Miami Dolphins (6-8) – e
4. New York Jets (3-11) – e