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Breaking Down Playoff-Clinching Scenarios and the Most Likely Wild-Card Matchups

Just over two weeks remain in the 2021 NFL regular season. With 16 weeks (nearly) in the rearview, we would normally have a clear enough picture of the postseason field. This year brings an extra game of regular-season action, though, and a large middle class of teams leaves a lot unsettled.

Heading into Week 16, the Green Bay Packers were the only team to clinch a playoff spot as NFC North champions. The Dallas Cowboys then clinched a postseason berth with a San Francisco 49ers loss Thursday night.

The Kansas City Chiefs became the first and only team in the AFC to clinch a playoff spot Sunday, while the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals joined the Packers and Cowboys in the NFC playoff field.