The stretch run to the playoffs is on within the NFL.
With the calendar flipped to December, we have now reached the a part of the season the place groups can begin locking down playoff spots. Some groups simply want a victory, whereas some groups can lock up a playoff spot with a win, together with some assist.
Here are the playoff eventualities for Week 14 of the NFL season, together with info on every sport concerned. We can begin within the AFC, with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs can clinch the AFC West this weekend with a victory over the Denver Broncos, coupled with a loss from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kansas City (9-3) travels to Denver this weekend to tackle Russell Wilson and the Broncos, who enter this weekend with a 3-9 file. These groups haven’t met this season, and this would be the first time Wilson and Mahomes sq. off with Wilson in a Broncos’ uniform.
This sport was additionally scheduled to be featured on Sunday Night Football, however was flexed out of that point slot, possible as a result of struggles from the Broncos this season. Instead, the 6-6 Chargers will host the 8-4 Miami Dolphins in prime-time. That sport is important for each groups’ playoff probabilities, however most notably for the Chargers’ postseason hopes. According to 538.com, the Chargers at present have a 30% probability of constructing the playoffs. A loss to Miami would drop these odds to simply 12%.
The Dolphins, who’re attempting to maintain tempo with the Buffalo Bills atop the AFC East, enter this weekend with an 87% probability to make the playoffs. A loss would drop Miami’s odds to 76%, however a win would enhance their odds to 97%.
NFC
Two groups enter Week 14 with an opportunity to safe postseason spots.
For the 10-2 Vikings, they will lock up the NFC North with a win, or perhaps a tie, on the highway in opposition to the 5-7 Detroit Lions. If the Vikings had been to lose this weekend, it will preserve each Detroit and the Green Bay Packers alive to win the division. However, even when they lose this week, they’re on the cusp of clinching the North. Should they lose to Detroit, Minnesota simply wants yet one more win, or losses from Detroit and Green Bay subsequent week, to clinch the division.
While the 11-1 Eagles can’t clinch the NFC East this weekend, because of the 9-3 Dallas Cowboys, they will clinch a playoff spot relying on how just a few video games end up.
Philadelphia clinches a playoff spot with a win or a tie in opposition to the New York Giants, who’re 7-4-1 on the yr after final week’s tie with the Washington Commanders. This is the primary of two conferences between the Giants and the Eagles, who will play once more within the closing week of the season.
Even in the event that they lose to the GIants, the Eagles can nonetheless lock up a spot within the postseason. Philadelphia can even clinch a playoff spot if each the Seattle Seahawks, and the San Francisco 49ers, lose this weekend. The 7-5 Seahawks are internet hosting the 4-8 Carolina Panthers, whereas the 8-4 49ers are internet hosting Tom Brady and the 6-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brock Purdy appears to be underneath middle for the 49ers in that sport.