We are now entering the final stretch of the NFL season, and that means the playoff-clinching scenarios are going to be coming thick and fast. The 2023 season might be one of the most intriguing in recent memory in terms of the current playoff picture with 27 teams within two games of the playoffs entering Week 14.
Last week, we saw our first NFL playoff-clinching scenario of the season as the Philadelphia Eagles missed the chance to lock up a playoff spot in 2023. In Week 14, we now have three teams who could all secure their postseason berths: the Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers.
The below scenarios are correct based on our calculations as of 8 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 5. As more scenarios become known, we will update the lists below accordingly.
What Are the Playoff-Clinching Scenarios for the Eagles, Cowboys, and 49ers in Week 14?
Entering Week 14, there are three playoff-clinching scenarios for the 49ers and Cowboys and 10 scenarios for the Eagles. For the 49ers and Cowboys, all of their scenarios involve them winning in Week 14, while the Eagles need to at least tie this week to give themselves a chance to clinch a playoff spot this week.
Eagles Playoff-Clinching Scenarios for Week 14
- Eagles win and Rams lose or tie
- Eagles win and Seahawks lose or tie
- Eagles win, Vikings lose or tie, and Packers lose or tie
- Eagles win, Packers lose or tie, and Lions lose
- Eagles tie, Rams lose, and Seahawks lose
- Eagles tie, Rams lose, and Vikings lose or tie
- Eagles tie, Rams lose, and Packers lose or tie
- Eagles tie, Seahawks lose, and Vikings lose or tie
- Eagles tie, Seahawks lose, and Packers lose or tie
- Eagles tie, Vikings lose, and Packers lose
There are multiple permutations here for Philadelphia. If they win, they may only need one other result to go their way.
A loss for either the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks, combined with an Eagles win would be enough to make sure we see Philadelphia in the playoffs. In total, there are five other games this week that Eagles fans should have their eye on.
MORE: Week 14 NFL Power Rankings
In the event Philadelphia ties with Dallas in Week 14, they would need at least two other results to go their way and in a specific combination. However, it’s the same four teams involved across those six scenarios; the Rams, Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.
Cowboys Playoff-Clinching Scenarios for Week 14
- Cowboys win, Lions win or tie, Buccaneers lose or tie, Seahawks lose, Packers lose, Rams lose or tie, and Vikings lose or tie
- Cowboys win, Lions win or tie, Buccaneers lose or tie, Seahawks lose, Packers tie, Rams lose or tie, and Vikings lose
- Cowboys win, Lions win or tie, Buccaneers lose or tie, Seahawks lose, Packers lose, Saints lose or tie, and Vikings lose or tie
- Cowboys win, Lions win or tie, Buccaneers lose or tie, Seahawks lose, Packers tie, Saints lose or tie, and Vikings lose
- Cowboys win, Lions win or tie, Buccaneers tie, Seahawks tie, Packers lose, and Vikings lose or tie
- Cowboys win, Lions win or tie, Buccaneers tie, Seahawks tie, Packers tie, and Vikings lose
The long and short of it is that the Cowboys need at least five other results to fall their way as well as beating Philadelphia for any of this to come into play.
MORE: Early Week 14 Predictions
The key games are the Lions-Bears, Buccaneers-Falcons, Seahawks-49ers, Packers-Giants, and Vikings-Raiders. There are also scenarios involving the New Orleans Saints and Rams, but all of them are tied to the results of the other five games coming out in a specific order.
49ers Playoff-Clinching Scenarios for Week 14
- 49ers win and Vikings lose
- 49ers win and Packers lose
- 49ers win, Vikings tie, and Packers tie
The situation for San Francisco is pretty simple. If they win and either Green Bay or Minnesota loses, they’re in. Alternatively, if both the Packers and Vikings tie, they’re also in. As we have yet to see a tie this season, two in the same week feels unlikely.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!