NFL playoff scenarios Week 14: Packers, Bills and Steelers can clinch

Week 14 could be one to remember for these franchises hoping to make the postseason.

As the season begins to wind down, the NFL will be prepping for the postseason. With 14 teams now eligible to make it into January football, the race has become tighter than ever in both the AFC and NFC.

The New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs have already clinched their playoff berths, setting themselves up to claim the division. Three more could be entering the chatroom as the Steelers, Bills and Packers all have a chance to grab at least a shot at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Tampa come February.

What needs to happen for these three teams to get in?

The Steelers have the easiest pathway to return to the postseason for the first time since 2017. If they can defeat Josh Allen and the Bills, they’re back in action.

With a victory and a loss Monday by the Cleveland Browns, they would take the AFC North at 12-1.

The Bills’ postseason picture still is a bit tricky. Sean McDermott’s roster needs a win, but also several teams to lose in the process. Should the Dolphins, Raiders, Ravens and Patriots all fall, Buffalo would be named the second playoff team in their conference.

As for the Packers, so long as they beat the Detroit Lions and watch Minnesota fall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NFC North is theirs for the start of the new decade.

However, if the Vikings keep their hot streak alive, Green Bay would need Seattle to defeat the Jets or have Arizona and Los Angeles lose just to claim a seat at the table.

As the playoff picture is slowly unfolding, there’s plenty to watch in Week 14. Now more than ever seeding could be essential to a team’s title hopes or an early exit from the postseason party.