Week 15: AFC Playoff Scenarios

As the NFL begins the fifteenth week of the 2012 regular season, there are some things we know about who will be representing the AFC in the postseason. The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots have already won their divisions. Your Houston Texans have clinched a playoff berth, but the 9-4 Indianapolis Colts have not yet permitted the Texans to be declared AFC South champions. With the Texans and Colts scheduled to face off at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, what's at stake for each of those teams? How about the rest of the AFC? NFL Communications sheds some light on the subject of the AFC Playoffs.

CLINCHED:
New England – AFC East
Denver – AFC West
Houston – playoff spot

HOUSTON TEXANS

Houston clinches AFC South division with:
1) HOU win

Houston clinches a first-round bye with:
1) HOU win + NE loss or tie + DEN loss

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Baltimore clinches AFC North division with:
1) BAL win OR
2) BAL tie + PIT loss or tie + CIN loss or tie OR
3) PIT loss + CIN loss

Baltimore clinches a playoff spot with:
1) BAL tie OR
2) CIN loss or tie OR
3) PIT loss or tie

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Indianapolis clinches a playoff spot with:
1) IND win OR
2) IND tie + CIN loss or tie OR
3) IND tie + PIT loss or tie OR
4) IND tie + BAL win OR
5) NYJ loss or tie + CIN loss OR
6) NYJ loss or tie + BAL win + CIN tie + PIT tie