Arizona Cardinals could potentially clinch playoff berth in Week 16

The NFL regular season is winding down, meaning the playoff race is heating up.

The Arizona Cardinals find themselves right in the thick of things this year, posting an 8-6 record through the first 15 weeks of the season.

They could lock up a postseason berth for the first time in five years thanks to two scenarios that require a little help.

The first is to handle business against the San Francisco 49ers. A Cardinals win would put pressure on the Chicago Bears, who sit behind the Cardinals in the NFC Wild Card race. A Chicago loss or tie to the Jacksonville Jaguars would punch Arizona’s ticket into the postseason.

If that first scenario doesn’t play out, there’s still a very unlikely one that could happen.

The Cardinals could still clinch a playoff spot with a tie against the 49ers and a loss on Chicago’s front.

Looking at the other ramifications around the NFL, the Los Angeles Rams could also secure a postseason berth with either a win/tie over the Seattle Seahawks, a Cardinals win/tie or a Bears loss/tie.

As for the NFC West, a Rams loss to the Seahawks would hand Seattle the division title.

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