The NFL playoff picture is finally beginning to become more clear as Week 14 approaches, with the opportunity for several teams to clinch division titles and postseason berths.
The Dallas Cowboys have already clinched a trip to the playoffs, and the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks can all join them with wins and some help this week.
Here’s a closer look at the playoff picture entering Week 14.
AFC
1. Oakland Raiders (10-2)
2. New England Patriots (10-2)
3. Baltimore Ravens (7-5)
4. Houston Texans (6-6)
5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
6. Denver Broncos (8-4)
Other contenders: Miami Dolphins (7-5), Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5), Indianapolis Colts (6-6), Tennessee Titans (6-6), Buffalo Bills (6-6)
Biggest games in Week 14:
Raiders at Chiefs
One of the most important games of the 2016 season will determine the leader in the ultra-competitive AFC West. The Raiders can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a loss by either the Dolphins or Broncos.
Steelers at Bills
The Steelers are getting hot at the right time, but there’s nothing easy about going to Buffalo in December. Rex Ryan’s team is on life support at 6-6, and in desperate need of a win.
Broncos at Titans
The Broncos have a brutal schedule to finish the regular season, making a chance to get a win in Tennessee hugely important. The Titans need a win to attempt to break the three-way tie atop the AFC South standings.
Texans at Colts
The Texans currently lead the AFC South based on head-to-head win percentage over the Colts and Titans. With that said, the winner of this game will be the favorite to go on and win the division.
Ravens at Patriots
This Monday night matchup feels like it could be a potential playoff preview. Both teams are currently in the postseason field, but both also need a win. The Ravens are trying to hold off the Steelers in the AFC North, while the Patriots can clinch the AFC East with a win and a Dolphins loss. New England can also clinch a first-round bye with a win and losses by the Dolphins and Steelers.
NFC
1. Dallas Cowboys (11-1)*
2. Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1)
3. Detroit Lions (8-4)
4. Atlanta Falcons (7-5)
5. New York Giants (8-4)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
*Clinched playoff berth
Other contenders: Washington Redskins (6-5-1), Minnesota Vikings (6-6), Green Bay Packers (6-6), Arizona Cardinals (5-6-1), New Orleans Saints (5-7), Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)
Biggest games in Week 14:
Redskins at Eagles
The Eagles appear to be out of the playoff picture, but Doug Pederson’s team can still play spoiler. Washington has lost back-to-back games away from home, and a third straight defeat could put the Redskins’ postseason hopes in serious danger.
Cardinals at Dolphins
The Cardinals need to win out to have a legitimate chance at claiming a playoff spot. That’s doable for a talented Arizona team, but there’s no room for error in Miami, either. The Dolphins saw their six-game win streak end after a blowout loss to the Ravens, and their hold on a playoff spot also disappeared on Sunday, making this is a potential must-win game.
Saints at Buccaneers
The Buccaneers look like a serious playoff contender, but that could all change if Drew Brees and the Saints leave Tampa Bay with a win on Sunday. The Bucs are only 2-4 at home this season. At 5-7, New Orleans has to win out for a shot at the postseason.
Falcons at Rams
The Falcons are suddenly fighting for their playoff lives after a tough loss to the Chiefs. With a loss in Los Angeles, Atlanta could lose its hold on the NFC South, and 7-6 would throw the Falcons into a large group of teams fighting for a wild-card berth.
Seahawks at Packers
The Seahawks can clinch the NFC West with a win at Lambeau and a Cardinals loss. The Packers have won two in a row to get to 6-6, but can’t afford to lose this game—especially with the Lions playing the 3-9 Bears in Week 14.
Cowboys at Giants
The Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a win, but that’s not all that’s at stake. Dallas can clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and losses by the Lions and Seahawks. The Giants’ playoff hopes could be in jeopardy, given how difficult New York’s schedule looks over the final four games of the regular season.
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