ARIZONA CARDINALS

How the Arizona Cardinals can clinch a playoff berth in Week 14

Dec 7, 2021, 11:32 AM

For the Arizona Cardinals to secure a playoff berth last season, it came down to the regular season finale.

They lost, and that was that.

This season, Arizona sits atop the NFC heading into Week 14, and Kliff Kingsbury’s squad this week can lock in its first postseason appearance since 2015. It’s a possibility even if the Cardinals fall on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams.

A win or tie will secure a playoff bid for Arizona. Easy as that.

But if the second meeting with the Rams goes against the Cardinals, there are three more scenarios that can happen prior where a playoff berth will be guaranteed for Arizona heading into the final four games of 2021.


1. Vikings lose or tie, and 49ers lose

The Minnesota Vikings (5-7) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1) for Thursday Night Football, and Cardinals fans will root for the visiting team to win.

Arizona in this scenario would need that plus a loss by the San Francisco 49ers (6-6), who visit the Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) Sunday in the afternoon time slot.

Odds: 

Vikings (-3) over Steelers
49ers (-1) over Bengals


2. Vikings lose or tie, Saints lose or tie, plus Panthers lose or tie

In addition to needing Pittsburgh to beat or tie with Minnesota, the Cardinals would benefit from the New Orleans Saints (5-7) falling on the road to the New York Jets (3-9) and the Carolina Panthers (5-7) to lose or tie at home while facing the Atlanta Falcons (5-7).

Odds: 

Saints (-5.5) over Jets
Panthers (-3) over Falcons


3. 49ers lose, Saints lose or tie, plus Falcons and Panthers tie

A unique combo if the Falcons and Panthers end in a tie can also catapult Arizona to a postseason berth this week.

Odds: 

49ers (-1) over Bengals
Saints (-5.5) over Jets
Panthers (-3) over Falcons

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

How the Arizona Cardinals can clinch a playoff berth in Week 14