THREE TEAMS CAN
CLINCH SPOTS, BUT TITANS HINDER TEXANS, CHARGERS
Here's how the NFL playoff
picture looks now that Week 14 has begun.
NFC
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-1): NFC West champions. The first
team in 2018 to officially clinch a playoff berth, the Rams have
wrapped up a second consecutive division crown. Sunday night's opponent,
Chicago, is the only one left on their schedule with a winning record. Beat the
Bears, and L.A. claims a first-round bye.
2. New Orleans Saints (10-2): NFC
South leader. The Saints still look like a good bet for a bye and can put a bow
on the division title Sunday by handling the Bucs or getting help if
Carolina extends its losing streak in Cleveland.
3. Chicago Bears (8-4): NFC
North leader. Can't lose to teams like the Giants if you hope to catch the
Saints. Chicago also missed a golden opportunity to take a major step toward
locking up the division.
4. Dallas Cowboys (7-5): NFC
East leader. Lose to the Eagles, and a tiebreaker will cost Dallas the division
lead.
5. Seattle Seahawks (7-5): Wild
card No. 1. They can't do better than this spot but must be thrilled to
have it — especially after some geniuses
foresaw a 4-12 season. Helps to have one game apiece remaining
against Niners and Cards.
6. Minnesota Vikings (6-5-1): Wild
card No. 2. Kirk Cousins can thank his former Washington teammates after their
Monday night loss in Philly allowed Vikes to move back into the field. Week 14
game in Seattle has major ramifications for both clubs.
IN THE HUNT
Carolina Panthers (6-6),
Philadelphia Eagles (6-6),
Washington Redskins (6-6),
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)
AFC
1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-2): AFC West leader. Stunning setback
in wake of Kareem Hunt's release. But even as Chiefs continue to sort
through fallout, they can still lock down a berth by beating Baltimore on
Sunday.
2. New England Patriots (9-3): AFC
East leader. You hate to diminish them by saying they're on cruise control at
this point. But after dismantling solid Vikings team to start December, Pats
will be hard to slow down moving forward. They'll win the division for the 10th
straight year by surviving Miami on Sunday — though worth noting, Dolphins
have won four of five at home against New England.
3. Houston Texans (9-3): AFC
South leader. Now winners of
nine straight, hottest team in the league maintaining pressure on
Patriots in pursuit of bye. (New England's Week 1 defeat of Houston continues
to loom large.) However even if the Texans run their streak to 10 on Sunday,
the Titans' victory Thursday night precludes them from clinching anything this
week.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
(7-4-1): AFC North leader. Their come-from-ahead loss to the
Chargers on Sunday night could effectively eliminate them from quest for a
first-round bye ... and, more importantly perhaps, also jeopardizes hold
on division.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-3): Wild
card No. 1. Their aspirations of winning the AFC West are alive and well.
Showdown in Kansas City looms in Week 15. In the near term, Tennessee's win
also means the Bolts will have to wait another week for a clinching scenario.
6. Baltimore Ravens (7-5): Wild
card No. 2. Now 3-0 with rookie QB Lamar Jackson as the starter, they can't let
up with so many teams nipping at their heels. However a win at Nashville in
Week 6 guarantees the victorious Titans can't overtake the Ravens this
week even if they lose at Kansas City.
IN THE HUNT
Tennessee Titans (7-6),
Denver Broncos (6-6),
Indianapolis Colts (6-6),
Miami Dolphins (6-6),
Cincinnati Bengals (5-7)
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