NFL playoff picture: AFC-NFC clinching scenarios for Week 14
It seems like yesterday that the Ravens traveled to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in the NFL’s opening kickoff game. Fast-forward thirteen weeks, and we’ve entered the stretch run, with just five weeks of regular-season football remaining.
Baltimore is 8-5, but if they can get back into the win column, they are still likely to clinch a spot in the next few weeks.
The Week 14 games offer postseason-clinching scenarios for four teams, including the three NFC heavyweights, who are all eyeing the top seed and first-round bye. The Chiefs have clinched a playoff spot in the AFC but can win the division on Sunday.
AFC
The NFL logo is seen on Jan. 31, 2023, on the field for Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Syndication Arizona Republic
CLINCHED:
Buffalo Bills (10-2) – AFC East
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) – playoff berth
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4); Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) scrambles against New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (99) during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Kansas City clinches AFC West division title with:
- KC win
NFC
Feb 7, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; General view of the NFL Shield logo on the field before Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
CLINCHED:
None
Detroit Lions (11-1) vs. Green Bay Packers (9-3); Thursday night, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks on at warm up before the Seattle Seahawks game at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.
Detroit clinches a playoff berth with:
- 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 (10-2) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-6); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) celebrates his touchdown with tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Minnesota clinches a playoff berth with:
- MIN win + SEA-ARI tie
- MIN win + ARI loss + LAR loss or tie
- MIN tie + TB loss + ARI loss + LAR loss
- MIN tie + TB loss + ARI tie + LAR loss + PHI win or tie
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) vs. Carolina Panthers (3-9); Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 01: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles hands the ball to Saquon Barkley #26 during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Philadelphia clinches a playoff berth with:
- 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
