These 7 scenarios clinch a playoff spot for the Cardinals in Week 16
Dec 23, 2021, 9:04 AM
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks for running room against the Los Angeles Rams as Cardinals guard Max Garcia (73) makes a block prior to an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
The Arizona Cardinals have come up short two weeks in a row in clinching the team’s first playoff berth since 2015.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury is staring down the barrel of an 0-4 record in playoff-clinching games over the last two season and is looking to erase that zero with a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.
Once again, the Cardinals are looking at a win-and-you’re-in scenario, but there are also six other ways for Arizona to clinch a coveted spot in the postseason.
While winning is most certainly the preferred method, here are the six other ways:
Philadelphia loss or tie & San Francisco loss
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With an Eagles loss or tie and a 49ers loss, it would put the Cardinals in a position where at worst they would finish is tied with San Francisco for 7th place in the NFC. With two wins under its belt to their division rival 49ers, Arizona could not lose the tie breaker and would clinch an automatic berth.
Philadelphia is at home vs. the New York Giants.
San Francisco plays at the Tennessee Titans.
Philadelphia loss or tie & Minnesota loss or tie
Both Philadelphia and Minnesota are two of three teams with 7-7 records that could end the season with the same amount of losses as the Cardinals to force a tie breaker. If just two of those teams were to lose or tie one more game, the Cardinals would clinch a playoff berth.
Minnesota plays at the Los Angeles Rams.
Philadelphia loss or tie & New Orleans loss or tie
New Orleans is the other team with a 7-7 record. They have climbed back into contention with back-to-back wins over the New York Jets and a 9-0 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday Night Football. The two-game win streak comes on the heels of a five-game losing streak that nearly ruined the Saints chances.
New Orleans plays at home vs. the Miami Dolphins.
The three remaining scenarios are just different combinations of the same teams either losing or tying.
Minnesota loss or tie & San Francisco loss
Minnesota loss or tie & New Orleans loss or tie
New Orleans loss or tie & San Francisco loss
With the same record as the Rams, there is no way for the Cardinals to clinch the NFC West. With three games remaining, the division championship is likely to come down to the final week of the season unless either team wins its next two games while the other team loses its next two games.
