The NFL standings heading into the Week 14 schedule has teams in position to clinch postseason spots, including the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals. The Panthers and Cardinals have clinched spots already and this weekend could see the AFC and NFC Wild Card races continue to stay tight depending on who wins.
UPDATE: The Panthers have clinched a first round bye for the playoffs with a win over the Falcons. The Broncos failed to clinch after losing to the Raiders. The Patriots have clinched after winning over the Texans.
The Bengals come into the weekend as the top seed in the AFC standings ahead of the Broncos and Patriots, while the Colts are fourth while leading the AFC South division. The Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets are in wild card position in the conference coming into the weekend, leading the Steelers, Bills and Texans. The Raiders and Dolphins are 5-7 and will need some help if they want to stay in the race.
The NFC playoff standings has the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals in the top spots and both teams have clinched postseason spots. The Panthers have clinched the NFC South, while the Cardinals can clinch the NFC West soon after already locking in a playoff berth. The Green Bay Packers are in third while leading the NFC North, while the Redskins are fourth for the time being out of the NFC East. The current wild card teams coming into the weekend include the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks.
The NFC Wild Card race has the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons in the mix, while the Eagles, Giants and Bears are hanging around. The Bears need some major help along with the Giants and Eagles, but those two teams along with the Cowboys also have a chance in the NFC East with the Redskins. The NFC East division has been a mess and the top three teams all have 5-7 records, while the Cowboys are 4-8 on the season.
The Broncos, Bengals and Patriots are all gunning for the two top seeds and first round byes in the AFC playoffs and New England has an advantage, as Denver and Cincy play before the end of the season. The Broncos can clinch this week, including the AFC West if they win and Kansas City loses. The team also can clinch a playoff spot, while the Bengals can clinch the AFC North if they win. The Patriots are in position to win the AFC East this season and they can clinch a playoff spot this week if the team wins.
Check here for more on the tiebreakers and PLAYOFF Scenarios for this week.
The Patriots are leading the AFC East standings over the Jets, Bills and Dolphins, while the Bengals are on top of the Steelers, Ravens and Browns in the AFC North. The Colts and Texans both have 6-6 record and while Indy is leading now, Houston and the Colts play again this season. The AFC West has the Broncos leading the Chiefs, Raiders and Chargers and Denver is in strong position to take the division.
The NFC East is a bit of a mess and the Redskins currently lead, but Washington, New York and Philly all have 5-7 records. The Cowboys have not yet been eliminated at 4-8. The NFC North has the Packers and Vikings in the first two spots over the Bears and Lions, while the NFC South is done with the Panthers clinching. The West has the Cardinals on top and the Seahawks are still alive for the time being in the division race.