NFL Week 14 playoff-clinching scenarios: Lions, Eagles, Vikings lead crowded NFC

Sportsnet Staff @SportsnetDecember 04, 2024 - 12:51pm

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff throws against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half of an NFL game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Detroit. (AP/Duane Burleson)

When the snow falls in Buffalo, you know playoff time is just around the corner.

The Buffalo Bills won the AFC East after a dominant win over San Francisco in the snow last Sunday night, and as we head into Week 14 in the NFL, four teams can clinch a playoff spot.

Sunday Night Football may once again produce a division champion. The Kansas City Chiefs, who have already clinched a playoff spot, can win the AFC West for a ninth consecutive season with a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

In the NFC, the three heavyweights — the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings — can all clinch a playoff spot in Week 14.

Here are the possible scenarios, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero:

Detroit Lions

DET win or tie
ATL loss or tie + SEA-ARI tie
ATL loss or tie + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
ATL loss or tie + LAR loss or tie + PHI win
ATL loss or tie + SEA loss + PHI win
ATL loss or tie + ARI loss + PHI win + DET clinches at least a tie in strength of victory tiebreaker over PHI
TB loss or tie + SEA-ARI tie
TB loss or tie + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
TB loss or tie + LAR loss or tie + PHI win
TB loss or tie + SEA loss + PHI win

Minnesota Vikings

MIN win + SEA-ARI tie
MIN win + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
MIN win + TB loss + ARI loss + LAR loss
MIN tie + TB loss + ARI tie + LAR loss + PHI win or tie

Philadelphia Eagles

PHI win + ATL loss or tie + SEA-ARI tie
PHI win + ATL loss or tie + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
PHI win + ATL loss or tie + ARI loss + DET win or tie
PHI win + TB loss or tie + SEA-ARI tie
PHI win + TB loss or tie + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
PHI win + TB loss or tie + ARI loss + DET win or tie
PHI tie + ATL loss + SEA-ARI tie
PHI tie + ATL loss + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
PHI tie + TB loss + SEA-ARI tie
PHI tie + TB loss + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie

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