The 1st Clinching Scenarios (Week 14)

As expected, Week 14 features the first clinching scenarios of the season, which has reached the second week of December. Counting the upcoming Week 14, five weeks remain in this season, with the playoffs kicking off on January 15, 2022--which actually marks the 55th anniversary of the very first Super Bowl. Before we get to the scenarios, let's take a look at the current playoff picture.

In the AFC, the New England Patriots hold the #1 spot at 9-4. Yes, you read that right: the Patriots--in the second year of the post-Tom Brady era--are leading the AFC after winning seven straight. What follows is a three way tie at 8-4 between the North-leading Baltimore Ravens, the South-leading Tennessee Titans, and the West-leading (and back-to-back defending AFC Champions) Kansas City Chiefs. The tiebreaker goes to the Titans due to their 5-3 record in conference play. Both Tennessee and Baltimore defeated Kansas City this season, and it's for that reason that the Ravens are the #3 team, while the Chiefs are #4.

The Los Angeles Chargers, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Buffalo Bills hold the Wild Card positions at 7-5, with the Chargers' recent win over the Bengals giving them one tiebreaker, while their 5-3 conference record puts them ahead of the Bills. The Bengals have that same conference record, putting the Bills (who led the AFC East for most of the season) down at the #7 position. The Pittsburgh Steelers' big win over the Ravens improved them to 6-5-1 and places them right behind the playoff line. The Indianapolis Colts are right behind at 7-6, followed by three teams at 6-6 (Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos), and the red-hot Miami Dolphins at 6-7. Only one team has been officially eliminated: the Houston Texans, who were shut out by the Colts this past Sunday.

In the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals maintained their #1 position; as their win over the Chicago Bears improved their record to 10-2. The Green Bay Packers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both 9-3, though the Packers' 7-2 conference record places them ahead of Tampa Bay. The NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys are in the #4 position at 8-4, and after Week 13, all four teams have increased their strangleholds on their divisions, despite the Packers being idle. The Los Angeles Rams hold the top Wild Card position at 8-4, while the Washington Football Team and the San Francisco 49ers hold the other two at 6-6.

Regarding what's behind the playoff line, well, the logjam remains. On top of the madness is the Philadelphia Eagles at 6-7, but they stand above four teams at 5-7: the Minnesota Vikings, the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Carolina Panthers. The New York Giants, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Chicago Bears have some semblance of life even at 4-8, and again, the Detroit Lions (in spite of getting their first win), have no chance at all.

As stated before, Week 14 can see three teams lock in playoff spots, with all three being in the NFC. The scenarios are as follows:

The Arizona Cardinals cannot clinch the NFC West, despite having a two game lead over the Los Angeles Rams. However, they can become playoff bound this week with a win or tie, but they'll have to wait for that, as the Cards host the Rams on Monday Night Football. There are three different ways that they can get in before taking the field on Monday. One way: a Minnesota loss or tie coupled with a San Francisco loss. Another: losses or ties from Minnesota, New Orleans, and Carolina. And a third option: a San Francisco loss, a New Orleans loss or tie, and the Falcons/Panthers game ending in a tie. Scenarios have to mention ties because, while they are rare, they do happen (ask the Lions and Steelers). If the Cards do win their Monday Night contest, they will lead the division by three games and clinch the season series, giving them the opportunity to clinch the West on Week 15.

Two divisions can be clinched in Week 14, and one of them is the NFC North. Because of the Vikings' loss in Detroit, the Green Bay Packers can wrap up the NFC North for the third straight season. A win and a Minnesota loss or tie will do it, or a tie and a Minnesota loss will get it done. That scenario could start on Thursday, as the Vikings will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. The Packers will host the Bears on Sunday Night Football, and even if (a big if) the Vikings do win on Thursday, the Packers can still get into the playoffs with a win, a New Orleans loss or tie, and either a San Francisco loss or a Rams loss paired with a Niners tie.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' road to the Super Bowl did not include a division title, but they can win the NFC South during Week 14. The Bucs host the Buffalo Bills this week, and they will need a win and losses or ties from the Panthers and Saints to lock up the South. There's also a long scenario for the Bucs to reach the playoffs: a tie, losses from Carolina, Minnesota, and New Orleans, and losses or ties from San Francisco and Washington. The Saints face the New York Jets this week, so it looks like the Bucs will have to wait a week to become playoff bound. Losing to the Jets just doesn't happen. Week 14 will be very interesting with these clinching scenarios, and they are the first of many more to come in the final five weeks of this season.

If you like this story, feel free to click the heart below, and if you love this story, feel free to leave a tip (if you want)!