Playoff Races in Full Swing as Teams Vie for Position

Kerry Collins Tennessee Titans Quarterback NFL 2008 Week 13 Playoff Races & Playoff Scenarios

Playoff Scenarios, Playoff Races & Playoff Picture (UPDATE: 12/23/2008)

Two things are for sure heading into NFL 2008 Week 14:

Five NFL teams have been eliminated while no team clinched a playoff birth in NFL Week 13.

During NFL 2008 Week 13, both the Arizona Cardinals and the Tennessee Titans had an opportunity to clinch playoff spots. However, that never materialized. The Cardinals lost to the Eagles in Philadelphia on Thanksgiving night and while the they won their Thanksgiving day matchupo against the Lions, the Titans needed a Colts loss on Sunday to clinch.

NFL 2008 Week 14: Playoff Races & Playoff Scenarios | NFL Playoff Births

The three NFC teams that have been eliminated so far include the winless Detroit Lions (0 - 12), Saint Louis Rams (2 - 10) and the Seattle Seahawks (2 -10). In the AFC the Cincinnati Bengals (1-10-1) and the Kansas City Chiefs (2 - 10).

A look at who can clinch & how they can clinch:

NEW YORK GIANTS

The New York Giants can clinch NFC East Division title with:

1) Giants win OR

2) Giants tie + Cowboys loss or tie OR

3) Cowboys loss.

The New York Giants can clinch a first-round bye with:

1) Giants win OR

2) Giants tie + Cowboys loss or tie OR

3) Cowboys loss + Vikings loss or tie + Cardinals loss or tie. The New York Giants can clinch a playoff spot with:

1) Giants tie + Falcons loss OR

2) Giants tie + Falcons tie + Buccaneers loss.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona clinches NFC West Division title with:

1) Cardinals win, OR

2) Cardinals tie + 49ers loss or tie, OR

3) 49ers loss.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Tennessee clinches AFC South Division title with:

1) Titans win OR

2) Titans tie + Colts loss or tie OR

3) Colts loss.

Tennessee clinches a first-round bye with:

1) Titans win + Jets loss or tie OR

2) Titans tie + Colts loss or tie + Jets loss.

Tennessee clinches a playoff spot with:

1) Titans tie OR

2) Patriots loss or tie + Jets loss or tie OR

3) Patriots loss or tie + Dolphins loss or tie.

DENVER BRONCOS

Denver clinches AFC West Division title with:

1) Broncos win + Chargers loss or tie OR

2) Broncos tie + Chargers loss.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot with:

1) Steelers win + Dolphins loss + Patriots loss OR

2) Steelers win + Dolphins tie + Patriots loss + Jets loss

Twelve teams in the NFC are within one game of .500 or better entering the final five weeks of the season. The Eagles and Carolina Panthers have the toughest remaining schedule of the contenders, facing opponents with a combined 35-20 (.636) mark.

In the AFC, the NFL 2008 playoff picture is becoming clearer as nine AFC teams are at least one game above .500. The Tennessee Titans face the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day (CBS, 12:30 PM ET) and can become the first AFC team to secure a playoff berth. With a Titans win and an Indianapolis loss on Sunday, Tennessee would clinch its first AFC South Division title since 2002.

Among the AFC clubs seeking to strengthen their position in a competitive field are the AFC East-leading New York Jets, who have won five consecutive games. Jets head coach ERIC MANGINI is cognizant of what is at stake as the NFL season turns to the stretch run. "It's a five-game season," says Mangini. "Every game becomes that much more important. I don't think that anybody is satisfied with what they've done to this point."

Remaining strength of schedule for the 12 NFC teams within one game of .500 or better:

NFC EAST

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Giants (11-1)	33-21-1 (.609)	W	Eagles	@Cowboys	Panthers	@Vikings
Cowboys (8-4)	32-22-1 (.591)	W	@Steelers	Giants	Ravens	@Eagles
Redskins (7-5)	26-27-2 (.491)	L	@Ravens	@Bengals	Eagles	@49ers
Eagles (6-5-1)	35-20-0 (.636)	W	@Giants	Browns	@Redskins	Cowboys

NFC NORTH

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Vikings (7-5)	30-25 (.545)	W	@Lions	@Cardinals	Falcons	Giants
Bears (6-6)	25-30 (.455)	L	Jaguars	Saints	Packers	@Texans
Packers (5-7)	22-33 (.400)	L	Texans	@Jaguars	@Bears	Lions

NFC SOUTH

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Bucs (9-3)	28-27 (.509)	W	@Panthers	@Falcons	Chargers	Raiders
Panthers (9-3)	35-20 (.636)	W	Bucs	Broncos	@NY Giants	@Saints
Falcons (8-4)	26-29 (.473)	W	@Saints	Bucs (8-3)	@Vikings	Rams
Saints (6-6)	29-26 (.527)	L	Falcons	@Bears (6-5)	@Lions	Panthers

NFC WEST

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Cardinals (7-5)	22-32-1 (.409)	L	Rams	Vikings	@Patriots	Seahawks

Following is the remaining strength of schedule for the nine AFC teams with an above .500 record:

AFC EAST

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Jets (8-4)	23-32 (.418)	L	@49ers	Bills	@Seahawks	Dolphins
Patriots (7-5)	26-29 (.473)	L	@Seahawks	@Raiders	Cardinals	@Bills
Dolphins (7-5)	20-35 (.363)	W	@Bills	49ers	@Chiefs	@Jets
Bills (6-6)	30-25 (.545)	L	Dolphins	@Jets	@Broncos	Patriots

AFC NORTH

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Steelers (9-3)	35-20 (.636)	W	Cowboys	@Ravens	@Titans (10-1)	Browns
Ravens (8-4)	27-27-1 (.500)	W	Redskins	Steelers	@Cowboys (7-4)	Jaguars

AFC SOUTH

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Titans (11-1)	23-32 (.418)	W	Browns	@Texans	Steelers	@Colts
Colts (8-4)	19-35-1 (.345)	W	Bengals	Lions	@Jaguars	Titans

AFC WEST

Team	Opponents Record	Week 13	Week14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
Broncos (7-5)	27-28 (.491)	W	Chiefs	@Panthers	Bills	@Chargers

2008 NFL PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

The New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans have an opportunity this week to clinch their respective division titles.

NFC PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

CLINCHED: None

ELIMINATED: Detroit Lions, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks

AFC PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

CLINCHED: None.

ELIMINATED: Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs

The Tennessee Titans can clinch the AFC South Division title. The Denver Broncos can clinch the AFC West Division

Playoff Scenarios, Playoff Races & Playoff Picture - NFL 2008 Week 14