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Giants Playoff Chances: How the Giants Clinch a Playoff Spot in Week 17

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Luke Norris
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Luke Norris Sports Editor

Luke Norris began his sportswriting career in 2013 and joined Sports7 in 2020. The former Section Editor of the NFL and Motorsports sections, he now spends his time here in the role of Senior Writer-Programmer. His well-rounded sports knowledge allows him to cover the NFL, NBA, PGA Tour, MLB, boxing, WWE, and NASCAR for Sports7. Luke is an avid golfer who finds inspiration in the way sports can bring people together and provide a distraction from the real world. He hopes to provide a little entertainment or an escape from the real world with every article he writes, even if only for a few minutes. In addition to his work here at Sports7, Luke's work has appeared on  The Sportster, Inquisitr, GiveMeSport, FanSided, Yahoo! Fox Sports, and Sports Illustrated.

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Updated30 Dec 2022

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Saquon Barkley during a Giants-Vikings matchup in December 2022

Despite taking a last-second loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Eve on Greg Joseph's ridiculous 61-yard field goal, the New York Giants playoff chances are still in their own hands heading into a Week 17 matchup with the Indianapolis Colts.

With just one victory in their last six games, the Giants still sit in the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff picture at 8-6-1 with two weeks remaining in the regular season. So what needs to happen in Week 17 for New York to punch its ticket to the NFL Playoffs for the first time in six years?

Giants playoff chances: How the Giants clinch a spot in the NFL Playoffs in Week 17

Saquon Barkley during a Giants-Vikings matchup in December 2022
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants looks on before the start of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 | David Berding/Getty Images

Coming into Week 17, FiveThirtyEight puts the Giants playoff chances at 92%. And while several different scenarios put New York in the postseason this weekend, Brian Daboll & Co. are in a “win and you're in” situation and wouldn't have to worry about getting any help if they defeat the Colts on New Year's Day.

But if that doesn't happen, here are the other scenarios that would get New York into the postseason:

  • Giants tie vs. Colts + Seahawks lose or tie vs. Jets + Commanders lose or tie vs. Browns
  • Giants tie vs. Colts + Seahawks lose or tie vs. Jets + Lions lose or tie vs. Bears
  • Giants tie vs. Colts + Commanders lose or tie vs. Browns + Lions lose or tie vs. Bears + Packers lose or tie vs. Vikings
  • Seahawks lose vs. Jets + Commanders lose vs. Browns
  • Seahawks lose vs. Jets + Lions lose vs. Bears + Packers lose or tie vs. Vikings
  • Commanders lose vs. Browns + Lions lose vs. Bears + Packers lose vs. Vikings