NFL Playoff Clinching Scenarios Entering Week 17: Jacksonville Jaguars can steal top seed and Carolina Panthers can clinch home playoff game

The Jacksonville Jaguars and Carolina Panthers have destroyed expectations heading into the final weeks of the 2025 season. Many expected both teams to potentially be on the hunt for a new quarterback in March, but now both are eyeing playoff runs.

There are only two weeks left, but still plenty to settle. Here's a look at some of the most important or surprising results that can take place.

How Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers can clinch home playoff games

Brian Thomas Jr. at Jacksonville Jaguars v Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Getty

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#5 - Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks jumping into the top seed defeated many expectations, but the team needs to hold on. If Sam Darnold can go 1-1 in the final two games, it would still leave the team with a good enough record to hold onto home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Seattle would also get a bye if the team can finish 13-4.

#4 - Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers were not on many bingo cards early this season, but here the team sits. If Carolina can finish with a 9-8 record, which would mean going 1-1 in their final two games, it could be enough to hold off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and punch their ticket to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Carolina would have a home playoff game and a division win.

#3 - Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills are chasing the New England Patriots like it's 2017 again, but the situation is different. Buffalo currently has the sixth seed heading into Week 17, but the team could slip to the seventh seed with a 12-5 record. According to Sportskeeda's playoff predictor, such a record would include a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and a win against the New York Jets.

#2 - Houston Texans

The Houston Texans were all but out of it earlier this season, but C.J. Stroud's team could finish with the top Wild Card spot at 12-5. To get there, Houston would need to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts in the team's final two games. It isn't the easiest stretch to finish the year, but that's where Houston stands.

#1 - Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars went into Denver and upset the red-hot Denver Broncos, and in doing so put themselves in the race for the top seed in the AFC. If Denver loses either of its two final games and Jacksonville defeats the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans, the team will clinch a bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Edited by Ian Van Roy