Cardinals, Bucs, Packers have shot to lock up playoff spots

[December 08, 2021] Three NFC teams have a chance to lock up postseason berths by the end of Week 14 play on Monday.

The Arizona Cardinals (10-2) host the Los Angeles Rams (8-4) on "Monday Night Football," and they'll clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie. A win would also reduce their magic number to one to clinch the NFC West.

Even if they don't win, they would earn at least a wild-card berth if other events occur, which include a loss or tie by the Minnesota Vikings and a San Francisco 49ers loss.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) host the Buffalo Bills (7-5) on Sunday afternoon. The Bucs will clinch the NFC South title with a win and a loss or tie by both the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.

They also could seal a playoff spot if they tie the Bills and the following happens: losses by the Panthers, Saints and Vikings, and losses or ties by the San Francisco 49ers and Washington Football Team.

For the Green Bay Packers (9-3), it will take a win Sunday night in their home game against the Chicago Bears (4-8), plus a Minnesota loss or tie, to win the NFC North title. They also could achieve that milestone if they tie the Bears and the Vikings lose.

The Packers would clinch a playoff berth, though not the division title, if they win and the 49ers lose and the Saints lose or tie their game.

In another scenario, they'd make the postseason if the Saints lose or tie, the Rams lose, and the 49ers tie.

The Week 14 schedule includes the following games that have a bearing on the playoff hunt:

Pittsburgh (6-5-1) at Minnesota (5-7)

New Orleans (5-7) at New York Jets (3-9)

Atlanta (5-7) at Carolina (5-7)

San Francisco (6-6) at Cincinnati (7-5)

--Field Level Media

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