Saints, Rams and Chiefs can clinch playoff berths this week
 

No team has booked a spot in the postseason yet, but there could be three teams making plans for the playoffs by the time Week 13 comes to an end.

The NFL has released this week’s playoff scenarios and it shows that two of those teams could also wind up locking up division titles. The Saints will have the NFC South crown with a win and a Panthers loss or tie or a tie and a Panthers loss.

The Rams had a chance to clinch the NFC West during their bye week, but the Seahawks’ win against the Panthers meant they had to wait. A Rams win, a Seahawks loss or ties in both of their games to win their second straight divisional championship. The Rams have several scenarios that involve clinching a playoff berth while tying the Lions, but a win or a Seattle loss remains the most likely way for them to book passage to the postseason before Week 14.

The Saints will be in the playoffs with a win. There are other scenarios that get them in if they tie the Cowboys, but none if they should lose in Dallas on Thursday night.

PFT

Re: Saints, Rams and Chiefs can clinch playoff berths this week
 

I'm still not a believer of the Chiefs in the post season ... the back end of the defense can't get off the field on 3rd down & giving up far too many yards & points.

Re: Saints, Rams and Chiefs can clinch playoff berths this week
 

Saints Playoff Picture and Status is absolutely the best for tracking NFL playoff status and scenarios. For example the Saints can get all the way up to the #3 seed if this happens this week:

Saints beats the Cowboys, and
Redskins loses to the Eagles, and
Panthers loses to the Buccaneers

Clearly the division magic number is 2 (Saints win + Panthers loss). So it's most likely the division will be wrapped up before we head to Carolina in week 15. However, I'm unsure why Washington still has to lose as the best record they could finish with is 11-5 and the Saints will both be at 11 wins with a win tonight and a head to head win over Washington. I guess it's a three/four way tie thing with the Rams/Bears/Washington if they finish as the division winners all at 11 wins?

SFIAH

Re: Saints, Rams and Chiefs can clinch playoff berths this week
 

whatever happened to parity?