NFL playoff scenarios for Week 13: Who can clinch spot? Updated playoff picture with six weeks left
Two playoff contenders already have a chance to clinch a postseason berth in Week 13, and they are both in the NFC.
This is the fortunate position the Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) and Minnesota Vikings (9-2) are in thanks to their fast starts this season, which has six more weeks left before the playoffs begin.
The Vikings have a chance to clinch the NFC North when they host the New York Jets (7-4) on CBS, while the Eagles can clinch a playoff berth at home against the Tennessee Titans, who are 7-4, on Fox. Both games start at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
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(There are no clinching scenarios in the AFC this week.)
For the Vikings:
-Scenario 1: Minnesota would need to win and the Detroit Lions would have to lose or tie against the Jacksonville Jaguars to clinch the NFC North.
-Scenario 2: The Vikings could still clinch the division with a tie against the Jets and a Lions loss.
The Vikings would win the NFC North for the first time since 2017, and just the fifth time since 2008.
For the Eagles:
While Philadelphia is in a tight NFC East race with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Commanders and New York Giants, they can still punch their ticket to the playoffs early.
The Eagles have two scenarios that require them to win, but it depends on three other teams: The Commanders (at Giants), San Francisco 49ers (vs. Miami Dolphins) and Seattle Seahawks (at Los Angeles Rams).
-Scenario 1: Eagles win, Commanders lose, 49ers lose or tie, and Seahawks lose or tie. This case only works if the 49ers and Seahawks both do not tie.
-Scenario 2: Eagles win, Commanders tie, 49ers lose, Seahawks lose.
While the Eagles need plenty to happen to clinch in Week 13, their road to the playoffs should become much easier in the coming weeks.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL playoff picture Week 13: Here are the clinching scenarios Sunday
