NFL Playoff Picture Week 14: Scenarios for AFC and NFC 2016 Postseason Matchups

Although there is still an entire month left to be played in the 2016 NFL regular season, teams are already clinching playoff spots, and there are multiple positions up for grabs in Week 14.

Week 13 saw the Dallas Cowboys improve to 11-1 and ensure their place in the postseason, but they can sweeten the pot this week in the form of a division title, first-round bye or even home-field advantage throughout the entirety of the NFC playoffs.

Along with the Cowboys, the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders all have a chance to clinch a playoff spot this week as well.

Ahead of the Week 14 slate, here is a look at the current standings and playoff matchups, as well as clinching scenarios for four of the league’s top teams.

AFC Standings

NFC Standings

Playoff Brackets (If Season Ended Today)

Week 14 Clinching Scenarios New England Patriots

The Patriots are the No. 2 seed behind the Raiders in the AFC currently due to tiebreakers, but they have a wider array of clinching scenarios in Week 14 due to the outlook of their respective divisions.

On the heels of the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, the Pats can clinch the AFC East with a win coupled with a Miami loss or tie. Add in a loss or tie by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England would net a first-round bye as well.

As seen in the following tweet courtesy of the Patriots’ official Twitter account, the team came one step closer to history by notching its 10th win of the season last week against the Los Angeles Rams:

The #Patriots have reached at least 10 regular season wins in 14 straight seasons, joining SF (16) as the only teams to …

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