Playoff scenarios: five teams can clinch spots this week

Cold, Hard Football Facts for Dec 02, 2008

This is the first week with serious playoff ramifications, at least in terms of what can be clinched. Five teams can lock up spots this week: the Giants, Cardinals, Titans, Broncos and Steelers.

Believe it or not, only five teams (Lions, Rams, Seahawks, Bengals and Chiefs) have officially been eliminated at this point in the season.

NFC

CLINCHED: None.

ELIMINATED: Detroit, St. Louis, Seattle.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Clinch NFC East Division title with:

NYG win OR
NYG tie + DAL loss or tie OR
DAL loss.

Clinch first-round bye with:

NYG win OR
NYG tie + DAL loss or tie OR
DAL loss + MIN loss or tie + ARI loss or tie.

Clinch a playoff spot with:

NYG tie + ATL loss OR
NYG tie + ATL tie + TB loss.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Clinch NFC West Division title with:

ARI win, OR
ARI tie + SF loss or tie, OR
SF loss.

AFC

CLINCHED: None.

ELIMINATED: Cincinnati, Kansas City.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Clinch AFC South Division title with:

TEN win OR
TEN tie + IND loss or tie OR
IND loss.

Clinch a first-round bye with:

TEN win + NYJ loss or tie OR
TEN tie + IND loss or tie + NYJ loss.

Tennessee clinches a playoff spot with:

TEN tie OR
NE loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie OR
NE loss or tie + MIA loss or tie.

DENVER BRONCOS

Clinch AFC West Division title with:

DEN win + SD loss or tie OR
DEN tie + SD loss.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Clinch a playoff spot with:

PIT win + MIA loss + NE loss OR
PIT win + MIA tie + NE loss + NYJ loss.

By Kerry Byrne

Read more: Cold Hard Football Facts, NFL

Forearm Shiver: the CHFF Blog

Aaron Hernandez Quizzed In Death Probe: Tough Week To Be Patriots Tight End

Former Bears WR David Terrell Says He'd Cut Off His Balls To Play W Jay Cutler

Roger Goodell Defends Redskins Name In Letter To Congress

Video: Pat Imig's FN NFL Update June 09

Chuck Norris: 'Clutch' Tim Tebow An 'Athletic Warrior'


Privacy guaranteed. We'll never share your info.