It’s starting to get serious. Six teams have a chance Sunday to clinch spots in the NFL’s 2019 postseason. Here is what you need to know about each team as the early games approach. To avoid confusion, we’ve largely omitted scenarios involving tie games.
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Baltimore Ravens: They can clinch a playoff spot with a win. They’ll add on the AFC North title if the Steelers lose. Even if the Ravens lose, they’re in the playoffs if the Texans and Colts lose and if there is a tie in the Raiders-Titans game.
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Buffalo Bills: They’re in the playoffs with a win, along with losses by the Raiders, Texans and Colts.
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San Francisco 49ers: They’ll clinch a spot with a win and a Rams loss.
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Kansas City Chiefs: They’re in with a win and a Raiders loss.
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New England Patriots: They’re in a win, or losses by the Texans and Colts, along with a tie between the Raiders and Titans.
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Seattle Seahawks: They’re in if they defeat the Rams.
Here’s what the playoff picture looks like now, with help from the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI):
AFC
FPI chances to win AFC North: 99.9%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 28.7%
Next up: at Buffalo
FPI chances to win AFC East: 98.6%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 21.8%
Next up: vs. Kansas City
FPI chances to win AFC South: 84.3%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 2.3%
Next up: vs. Denver
FPI chances to win AFC West: 99.7%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 8.3%
Next up: at New England
FPI chances to make playoffs: 96.3%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: Less than 1%
Next up: vs. Baltimore
FPI chances to make playoffs: 44.1%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: Less than 1%
Next up: at Arizona
Next four
7. Tennessee Titans (7-5)
8. Oakland Raiders (6-6)
9. Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
10. Cleveland Browns (5-7)
NFC
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 11.6%
Next up: vs. San Francisco
FPI chances to win NFC West: 52.9%
Chances to win Super Bowl: 5.1%
Next up: at L.A. Rams
FPI chances to win NFC North: 73.7%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 3%
Next up: vs. Washington
FPI chances to win NFC East: 70.7%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 1.9%
Next up: vs L.A. Rams (Week 15)
FPI chances to win NFC West: 47.0%
FPI chances to win Super Bowl: 13%
Next up: at New Orleans
FPI chances to win NFC North: 26%
FPI chances to make playoffs: 84.3%
Next up: vs. Detroit
Next four
7. Los Angeles Rams (7-5)
8. Chicago Bears (7-6)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)
10. Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)