NFL Playoff Picture: Analyzing the Latest Scenarios for Week 14

And down the stretch we go.

It’s pretty well known that NFL head coaches and teams like to break down the season into quarters. Each of the 32 franchises has played a dozen games this season, and four weeks are remaining in the regular season.

So what have we learned?

Nothing quite yet…but we are getting there.

Once again, we will give you the playoff picture as it stands entering Week 14. We’ll look at the games this week that will have the biggest impact on this year’s postseason and also try to forecast what the 12-team playoff field will look like.

Don’t worry. We haven’t forgotten those teams that will be home after Week 17 and their potential impact as spoilers.

Finally, we will include any playoff- or division-clinching scenarios for teams this week.

It’s going to be a fascinating final month for NFL fans.

Current AFC Playoff Seeding

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AFC No. 1 Seed: New England Patriots (9-3)

All great things must come to an end. And for roughly two months, Bill Belichick’s team looked pretty great.

The Patriots’ improving defense bent and didn’t break in terms of allowing touchdowns. But New England surrendered 478 yards and a few too many points in a 26-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Despite the loss, the Pats still own a two-game lead in the AFC East over both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. However, a Sunday night affair this week with the Chargers in San Diego will make for another interesting test.

AFC No. 2 Seed: Denver Broncos (9-3)

The running game that the defending AFC champions have looked for all season has finally showed up.

For the second straight Sunday, the Broncos totaled more than 200 yards on the ground, as John Fox’s team completed a sweep of the Kansas City Chiefs, 29-16.

While quarterback Peyton Manning threw a pair of touchdown passes in the victory, it was running back C.J. Anderson who proved to be the difference. The second-year back from University of California, Berkeley ran for 168 yards on 32 carries and was also on the receiving end of one of Manning’s scores.

Denver has totaled an impressive 415 yards rushing the last two weeks, thanks mainly to Anderson. The Broncos averaged just 89.9 yards per game on the ground during their 7-3 start.

Playoff-Clinching Scenarios

1. Broncos clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Bills and losses by the Ravens, Steelers, Browns and Chiefs and a Texans loss or tie.

2. Broncos clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Bills and losses by the Ravens, Steelers, Browns and Chargers and a Texans loss or tie and a Chiefs tie.

AFC No. 3 Seed: Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1)

Do the Bengals actually want to return to the Queen City this week?

Marvin Lewis’ surging team won on the road for the third straight Sunday, rallying from a 10-0 deficit to defeat the Buccaneers, 14-13, in Tampa.

The better news for Cincinnati on Sunday was that the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns all lost. That gives Lewis and company a little wiggle room in terms of the AFC North title as their three division rivals all fell to 7-5.

The Bengals play the first of two games with the Pittsburgh Steelers this week.

AFC No. 4 Seed: Indianapolis Colts (8-4)

At times, it was far from pretty. But when it was over, it proved to be decisive.

Quarterback Andrew Luck threw for 370 yards and five touchdowns in his team’s 49-27 victory over the visiting Washington Redskins. The Colts rolled up 487 total yards but also committed three turnovers, including a pair by their star signal-caller.

Luck has now thrown for 300 or more yards in 10 of his 12 appearances this year. His 34 touchdown passes are easily a career high (he threw for 23 scores in each of his first two seasons). However, his turnover total of 16 (11 interceptions, five lost fumbles) is a bit of a concern.

Playoff Clinching Scenario

1. Colts clinch the AFC South with a win over the Browns and a Texans loss.

AFC No. 5 Seed: San Diego Chargers (8-4)

Mike McCoy’s team appears to be back on track after a midseason slump. The Chargers won their third straight game on Sunday, rallying from a 30-20 deficit to stun the Ravens in Baltimore.

Talk about a season of streaks. After opening 2014 with a loss at Arizona, San Diego reeled off five straight wins. That was followed by three consecutive losses, which have now been offset by three straight victories.

The Bolts remain just one game behind the Broncos in the AFC West and are just one win away from last year’s victory total.

AFC No. 6 Seed: Miami Dolphins (7-5)

On Monday night, Joe Philbin’s team allowed a whopping 277 yards rushing to the New York Jets. But by the wee hours of the evening, the Dolphins had rallied for a 16-13 victory.

Talk about a logjam. As it stands now, Miami owns the sixth spot in the AFC, ahead of five other clubs in the conference with an identical 7-5 record. And while Philbin and company are two games behind the Patriots in the division with four games to play, they do own a win over Bill Belichick’s team this season.

Current NFC Playoff Seeding

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NFC No. 1 Seed: Arizona Cardinals (9-3)

Is it panic time in the desert?

That doesn’t appear to be Bruce Arians’ style. But the talented head coach couldn’t like what he saw at the Georgia Dome, as his usually stout defense gave up 500 total yards in a 29-18 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Cardinals have dropped two straight games for the first time this season and welcome the Kansas City Chiefs to the desert this Sunday. And Arizona’s lead in the NFC West is down to just one game as the Seattle Seahawks continue to inch closer to the top of the division standings.

Panic time? Not just yet…

NFC No. 2 Seed: Green Bay Packers (9-3)

In a battle that lived up to the hype, the Packers held off the visiting New England Patriots, 26-21, in a very well-played contest at Lambeau Field.

While Green Bay rolled up 478 total yards and had the football for 36 minutes, 35 seconds on Sunday, the Pats’ defensive unit held its own for the most part in the red zone. But when it was all said and done, it was the Packers defense that made the plays late that proved to be the difference.

While it was another interception-free outing at home for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw a pair of touchdown passes, second-year running back Eddie Lacy continued his recent resurgence. Although he failed to reach the end zone for the first time in four games, the powerful performer has now totaled 485 yards from scrimmage and scored five touchdowns in his last four appearances.

So are the Packers the best team in the NFL these days? At the very least, their much-maligned defense has played a lot better as of late, as documented by Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.

NFC No. 3 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (9-3)

Well, that was pretty impressive.

Chip Kelly’s Eagles have now won 16 of their last 20 regular-season games since starting 3-5 a year ago. The latest was a convincing 33-10 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys, as the Birds rolled up 256 rushing yards (159 yards by LeSean McCoy) while holding DeMarco Murray to a season-low 73 yards on the ground.

This week, Philadelphia welcomes the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks to town. For the second straight week, we will see a showdown between two of the best running backs in the league in McCoy and Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch.

NFC No. 4 Seed: Atlanta Falcons (5-7)

For the first time in 12 games this season, the Falcons beat a team that wasn’t a resident of the NFC South.

Mike Smith’s club rolled up 500 total yards in a 29-18 victory over the visiting Arizona Cardinals in a battle of first-place clubs.

What had to make Smith really happy was the play of running back Steven Jackson, who ran for a season-high 101 yards in the 11-point win. The Falcons rolled up 142 yards rushing against the league’s third-ranked run defense.

Of course, Atlanta squares off against another division leader (Green Bay) next week on Monday night at Lambeau Field.

NFC No. 5 Seed: Seattle Seahawks (8-4)

Pete Carroll’s team is attempting to become the first since the New England Patriots from 2003 to 2004 to not only win back-to-back Super Bowls but to reach them as well.

So the Seahawks did a little repeating of their own on Thanksgiving night by stifling the San Francisco 49ers 19-3. The win came just four days after Seattle shut down the Arizona Cardinals by an identical 19-3 score.

With linebacker Bobby Wagner and strong safety Kam Chancellor back in the lineup in recent weeks, the Seattle defense is starting to resemble last season’s nasty unit. It hasn’t allowed a touchdown in two straight games and has made life easier for a Seahawks offense that has reached the end zone just twice in its last two contests.

This week’s trip to Philadelphia will be a major test for Carroll and company, but these defending champions are starting to look like themselves once again.

NFC No. 6 Seed: Detroit Lions (8-4)

The Detroit Lions silenced a few doubters on Thanksgiving Day by rallying from a 14-3 deficit for a 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears. Entering that contest, Jim Caldwell’s team had dropped road games to the Cardinals and Patriots and failed to score a touchdown in either contest.

Running back Reggie Bush was a late scratch, but Joique Bell ran for 91 yards and a pair of touchdowns. And the Matthew Stafford-to-Calvin Johnson connection was in high gear, combining 11 times for 146 yards and two scores.

The Lions are in the midst of a three-game home stand that includes upcoming visits from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings.

Teams on the Bubble

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AFC

Kansas City Chiefs (7-5)

For the sixth time in as many meetings, the Chiefs fell short against the Peyton Manning-led Broncos.

Andy Reid and company fell to the defending AFC champions, 29-16, as the Kansas City run defense continued to be an issue.

Ten days after the then-winless Oakland Raiders rolled up 179 rushing yards, Denver’s ground attack got 168 yards from second-year running back C.J. Anderson, and the Broncos ran for a total of 214 yards in the win at Arrowhead Stadium.

After winning five straight games, the Chiefs will look to avoid a third straight loss on Sunday at Arizona.

Buffalo Bills (7-5)

Now things are getting very interesting in Orchard Park.

In a seven-day span, the Bills played two home games in two different cities. The results were a pair of wins over the New York Jets (38-3) and Cleveland Browns (26-10) by a combined 64-13 score.
Suddenly, there’s renewed hope once again in Buffalo. The franchise owns the longest current playoff drought in the league, having not been to the postseason since 1999.

With seven wins this season, the Bills will not lose 10 or more games for the first time since 2009 and, thanks to the 2-10 Jets, won’t finish last in the AFC East for the first time since 2007.

Baltimore Ravens (7-5)

John Harbaugh’s team doesn’t usually lose a lot of games at home. The Ravens certainly don’t when they own a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter.

However, the Ravens left the door opened just enough for the visiting Chargers and Philip Rivers to let themselves in. And the Bolts rallied in the final minute to stun Baltimore, 34-33.

Harbaugh and company have put themselves in a big hole when it comes to winning the AFC North. They trail first-place Cincinnati by a game-and-a-half and were swept by the Bengals this season.

The Ravens hope to rebound in South Florida against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)

You try to figure out the Pittsburgh Steelers.

We dare you.

Winners of four of their previous five games, Mike Tomlin’s team welcomed the road-challenged New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Drew Brees riddled the Pittsburgh defense for five touchdown passes and then watched his team hold on for a 35-32 win.

The Steelers are now a game-and-a-half behind the first-place Bengals and will face Marvin Lewis’ surging team in Cincinnati on Sunday.

Cleveland Browns (7-5)

Despite their winning record, the Browns have struggled on offense in recent weeks. And they were miserable on Sunday at Buffalo in a 26-10 loss to the Bills, committing three turnovers in the 16-point setback.

It has also been a bad stretch for quarterback Brian Hoyer, who has been picked off six times in his last three games and has now thrown almost as many interceptions (10) as touchdown passes (11) in 2014.

So is it Johnny Manziel time for Mike Pettine’s team? The rookie quarterback took over for Hoyer on Sunday and led the team to its only touchdown of the game.

Houston Texans (6-6)

In his first nine starts this season, Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 11 touchdown passes and committed nine turnovers.

In Sunday’s 45-21 victory over the visiting Tennessee Titans, the much-maligned veteran threw for six scores with no turnovers.

Bill O’Brien’s team is still breathing when it comes to the playoffs this season. Houston closes the season with three divisional games, including a pair with the Jaguars, and also hosts the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.

NFC

Dallas Cowboys (8-4)

The expected showdown in Dallas turned out to be a slowdown for the Cowboys.

For arguably the first time this season, Jason Garrett’s offensive line met more than its match when trying to run the football and protect the quarterback in the same game.

The Philadelphia Eagles limited the Cowboys to 93 yards rushing and sacked Tony Romo four times, as Chip Kelly’s team rolled to a 33-10 win on Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Rod Marinelli’s defense couldn’t get off the field. The Birds totaled 75 plays and rolled up 464 yards, including 256 yards on the ground.

Garrett and company have until this Thursday to fix those issues. They head to Chicago for a prime-time tilt with the Bears, who also took their lumps on Turkey Day.

San Francisco 49ers (7-5)

We said last week that Jim Harbaugh’s squad needed to hold serve at home in its meeting with the Seattle Seahawks if it had any intentions of getting back to the playoffs for a fourth straight year.

Mission not accomplished. The Niners were limited to 164 total yards in a 19-3 Thanksgiving night loss.

For the first time in four years under Harbaugh, San Francisco has lost at least five games. After a trip to Oakland on Sunday, the team heads to Seattle for a crucial rematch with the defending Super Bowl champions.

New Orleans Saints (5-7)

It all makes perfect sense.

The New Orleans Saints rarely lose at home and were coming off three straight setbacks at the Superdome in as many weeks.

Sean Payton’s team went to Pittsburgh on Sunday sporting a 1-4 road record this season. It left Heinz Field with an impressive 35-32 victory thanks to five touchdown passes from quarterback Drew Brees.

You figure it out.

Carolina Panthers (3-8-1)

Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-10), New York Giants (3-9) and Washington Redskins (3-9) have a worse record in the NFC than Ron Rivera’s team. Yet, due to the fact that the Panthers are in the league’s most inept division in 2014, Rivera and company are still in the NFC playoff race.

Despite winning just one game in its last 10 outings, Carolina remains one game out of the loss column in the NFC South behind both the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints—both sporting 5-7 records.

And to semi-quote the great Forrest Gump, that’s all we have to say about that.

Teams out of Contention

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You think it has been a wild year in the NFL?

Four weeks remain in the regular season, and we still don’t have a team with at least 10 wins.

Meanwhile, the 1-11 Oakland Raiders, as well as the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers—all with 2-10 records—are the five teams that have reached double digits in the loss column.

For all of these teams, their playoff aspirations were over weeks ago. None has done a good job of playing spoiler this season as well.

In the AFC, if your team doesn’t have at least 10 losses, it is clearly still in the postseason hunt. There are 11 teams in the conference at least two games above .500, while the Houston Texans are still hovering on the edge at 6-6.

As far as the NFC, the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, both at 3-9, as well as a trio of 5-7 squads in the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams, will be playing golf (or something like that) when the regular season ends.

Of course, those teams will be joined on the course by two of the three other teams in the struggling NFC South, depending on who survives among the 5-7 Atlanta Falcons, 5-7 New Orleans Saints and 3-8-1 Carolina Panthers.

AFC Seeding Odds

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AFC No. 1 Seed

Best Odds: New England Patriots

The AFC East leaders saw their impressive seven-game winning streak snapped on Sunday with a 26-21 loss at Lambeau Field.

With Denver winning at Kansas City on Sunday night, the Patriots and Broncos are once again tied atop the AFC standings with 9-3 records. Bill Belichick’s team still owns the edge thanks to its victory over the defending AFC champions in November.

However, the trip to San Diego to meet the revitalized Chargers is on the horizon this Sunday. And there are also home dates with the contending Bills and Dolphins. It’s not quite over yet, but you have to like New England’s chances based on its pedigree.

Long Shot: Indianapolis Colts

Thanks to Sunday’s 49-27 win over the Washington Redskins, the Colts have now won two straight games since losing at home on Sunday night to the Patriots in Week 11.

However, three of the team’s four losses this season have come within the conference—to Denver, Pittsburgh and New England.

Add in that Chuck Pagano’s team still trails both the Broncos and Patriots in the AFC standings, and making up enough ground won’t be easy.

Prediction: Patriots

AFC No. 2 Seed

Best Odds: Denver Broncos

John Fox’s team has found its running game.

Denver has rolled up 200-plus yards on the ground in consecutive wins over the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.

Peyton Manning and company are a perfect 4-0 versus their AFC West rivals this season, and even if they stumble later this year against the Chargers (possible) and/or Raiders (doubtful), a fourth straight divisional title appears to be in the cards. As far as catching the Patriots for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Broncos need a lot of help.

Long Shot: Pittsburgh Steelers

It would take a major collapse by the Patriots, Broncos or Bengals—all with just three losses—to open the door for Mike Tomlin’s team.

Of course, the Steelers have two games with Cincinnati in the next four weeks, starting this Sunday. But it’s also anyone’s guess which Pittsburgh team will show up in the Queen City.

Prediction: Broncos

AFC No. 3 Seed

Best Odds: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals appear back on track after winning three road games in as many weeks, the latest a 14-13 win in Tampa. Marvin Lewis’ team rallied from a 10-0 deficit against the Buccaneers on Sunday. It's allowed 36 points during its latest winning streak.

Add in the fact that all of the other teams in the AFC North lost on Sunday and the Bengals already own a sweep of the Baltimore Ravens, and things are looking good for the defending division champions.

Long Shot: Baltimore Ravens

Six days after a big win at New Orleans, the Ravens blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead at home on Sunday and dropped a crucial game to the San Diego Chargers, 34-33.

Despite the Ravens' 7-5 record, all five of their losses this season have come within the conference. That fact alone does not bode well for John Harbaugh’s squad.

Prediction: Bengals

AFC No. 4 Seed

Best Odds: Indianapolis Colts

Two straight wins at home over the Jaguars and Redskins means that the Colts still own a two-game lead over the Texans in the division with four weeks remaining. Indianapolis can wrap up the AFC South with a victory at Cleveland combined with a Houston loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.

We can’t rule out that Chuck Pagano’s team could still grab one of the top three seeds in the conference by season’s end. The Colts have wins over the Bengals and Ravens, but losses to the Patriots and Broncos still make that a bit challenging.

Long Shot: Houston Texans

Houston has tripled its win total from a season ago. The Texans are just 3-5 since winning three of their first four games this season, however.

With a home loss to the Colts earlier this season and a two-game deficit in the AFC South standings to overcome, Houston will have a problem winning the South Division title for the third time in four years.

Prediction: Colts

AFC No. 5 Seed

Best Odds: Pittsburgh Steelers

A week ago, we felt that the Steelers were in prime position to capture the AFC North.

But as Willy Wonka often said, “Scratch that. Reverse it.”

Pittsburgh looked a little rusty following its off week, and the result was a 35-32 home loss to the New Orleans Saints in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicates.

In any case, Mike Tomlin’s team will have to beat the Bengals twice in the next four weeks to win the division title. Given the Steelers' uneven performance in 2014, that doesn’t appear to be very likely.

Long Shot: Kansas City Chiefs

Not too long ago, Andy Reid’s team was riding a five-game winning streak and playing tough defense.

In their last two games, the Kansas City Chiefs have had a very tough time stopping the run, and the result has been consecutive losses to the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos.

Add in a mediocre 5-4 record within the AFC, and a second straight trip to the playoffs is in serious jeopardy.

Prediction: Steelers

AFC No. 6 Seed

Best Shot: San Diego Chargers

We are not ruling out this team’s chances of winning the AFC West. The Chargers are now alone in second place in the division and just one game behind the Denver Broncos.

The Bolts own a sweep over the Oakland Raiders but have lost at Denver and to the Chiefs at home. The New England Patriots come to town this Sunday night, as Mike McCoy’s team looks to extend its current three-game winning streak.

Long Shot: Buffalo Bills

They haven’t had a winning season since finishing 9-7 in 2004 and haven’t been to the playoffs since 1999.

But could the Bills be getting ready to pack their wagons and make an appearance in the postseason?

Despite a 7-5 record and two straight convincing wins, Doug Marrone’s much-improved team still has quite a challenge ahead. Buffalo is one of six teams in the AFC with a 7-5 record, and the remaining schedule includes visits to Denver and New England and a home date with the Green Bay Packers.

However, for the first time in quite a few years, December has some meaning for this franchise.

Prediction: Chargers

NFC Seeding Odds

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NFC No. 1 Seed

Best Odds: Green Bay Packers

The Packers have simply been amazing at home this season. And if Mike McCarthy’s team can manage to grab the top seed in the conference, it will be awfully tough to keep this team from reaching Super Bowl XLIX.

But first things first before Green Bay fans start making travel plans for Arizona in February. After a Monday night visit from the Atlanta Falcons this week, the Pack have consecutive road games at Buffalo and at Tampa Bay before hosting the Detroit Lions in Week 17.

Long Shot: Dallas Cowboys

The bad news is that the Cowboys were throttled at home on Thanksgiving by the Philadelphia Eagles. The good news is that Dallas plays three of its final four contests on the road, a setting in which it is 5-0 this season.

For the second straight week, Jason Garrett’s team plays on Thursday, as the Cowboys clash with the Bears at Soldier Field. That’s followed by a rematch with the Eagles at Philadelphia before closing the season with the Colts at home and a trip to Washington.

It should be noted that in its final four games in the past three seasons (2011-13), Dallas owns a combined 4-8 record.

Prediction: Packers

NFC No. 2 Seed

Best Odds: Philadelphia Eagles

Chip Kelly’s team continues to have its issues hanging on to the football, and at times it's been less than impressive away from home.

But the Eagles are starting to get healthier on the offensive line, a unit hit by a slew of injuries earlier this season. That group will be tested big time this Sunday by the visiting Seattle Seahawks.

Then comes the rematch with the Cowboys, whom they just thumped on Thanksgiving Day, 33-10. We’re not looking ahead, but Kelly and company could be NFC East champions in two weeks.

Long Shot: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers a long shot for the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs? Jim Harbaugh’s team faces an uphill climb to get back to the postseason for a fourth straight year.

San Francisco was humbled at home by Seattle on Thanksgiving, 19-3. The Niners hit the road the next two Sundays to face the Raiders and, once again, the Seahawks. Harbaugh and company close 2014 with home games vs. San Diego and Arizona, and it will be interesting to see where they stand with two weeks to play.

Prediction: Eagles

NFC No. 3 Seed

Best Odds: Seattle Seahawks

They are the champions. And the Seahawks, at least on defense, are once again starting to look the part.

Pete Carroll’s team is coming off consecutive 19-3 wins over the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. This Sunday, a trip to Philadelphia doesn’t figure to be easy. But Seattle closes the season with three straight tilts versus its NFC West rivals, including home dates with the 49ers and Rams.

Long Shot: Detroit Lions

Jim Caldwell’s team is one game out of first place in the NFC North, and while it owns a win over the Green Bay Packers this season, it closes the year at Lambeau Field.

The Lions have not beaten the Packers on the road since 1991, which also marks the last time the franchise won a playoff game.

It’s been a banner year for this club, which looks like a better team, most notably on defense, than the one that reached the playoffs back in 2011. But grabbing the No. 3 seed in the conference looks like a tall order.

Prediction: Seahawks

NFC No. 4 Seed

Best Odds: Atlanta Falcons

Two straight wins have the Falcons still ahead of the Saints (whom they defeated in Week 1) in the NFC South based on tiebreakers. They still have a home game with the Carolina Panthers and travel to New Orleans (where they never seem to win) in Week 16.

Out of the division, Atlanta still has games with the Green Bay Packers (this Monday night) and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last Sunday, the Falcons got their first win over a non-NFC South team in 2014 by handling the Cardinals, 29-18.

If the Falcons do run the table the rest of the season, they are assured of the NFC South title. Then again, so are the Saints, who would wind up with a better win-loss record than Atlanta after beating it the third weekend of December.

Long Shot: Carolina Panthers

Did the brief layoff help the defending NFC South champions?

Ron Rivera’s inept squad fell at Minnesota to the improving Vikings, 31-13. The Panthers had two punts blocked, both returned for touchdowns.

Carolina travels to the Superdome this week to face the Saints, a team that defeated it earlier this season, 28-10. And even with divisional games remaining with the Buccaneers and Falcons, this team has showed no signs of life since opening the season at 2-0.

Prediction: Saints

NFC No. 5 Seed

Best Odds: Arizona Cardinals

Despite two straight losses for the first time this season, the Cardinals still own a 7-2 mark within the NFC this year and own wins over the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys and Lions.

So will Bruce Arians’ slumping team hold on to its lead in the NFC West, and if it doesn’t, does it have enough to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2009?

Bob McManaman of Azcentral.com contemplates the possible ramifications of a total collapse.

The Cardinals have four weeks left to figure it out. Either they will, and make it to the playoffs, where every team has gone after a 9-1 start. Or they won't, and they'll be remembered for one of the greatest collapses in the history of professional sports.

As for Arians’ players, there is no doubt. “We have the utmost faith and belief in every single guy in this locker room that we can go out and play football the best way we know how,” said Cardinals cornerback Antonio Cromartie to McManaman.

“We've got four weeks left and the most important game of the season right now is Kansas City and that's all we need to think about.”

Long Shot: Philadelphia Eagles

We have already told you that the Eagles are our odds-on favorite to grab the NFC East title and the No. 3 seed in the conference.

But what happens if they stumble, especially the next two weeks with dates against the Seahawks and Cowboys—both at home no less?

Grabbing the fifth seed as a consolation prize might be a little difficult for the Birds, who would be no better than 7-5 in the conference by season’s end.

Prediction: Cardinals

NFC No. 6 Seed

Best Odds: Dallas Cowboys

Following their 33-10 loss on Thanksgiving to the Eagles, the Cowboys remain at eight wins this season.

And no team in recent seasons knows the No. 8 better than Jason Garrett’s club.

This Thursday’s clash with the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field is crucial for Dallas. A win against a conference team would certainly help and would give the Cowboys a little momentum for their rematch with the Eagles in Week 15.

Long Shot: Arizona Cardinals

Back to the current NFC West leaders, who have dropped two straight and have a tough road ahead.

We’ve already speculated that the Cardinals have the best odds of capturing the No. 5 seed in the conference.

But could this team actually lose out and still manage to reach the postseason?

Hence, what is the real long shot here? That Bruce Arians and company actually don’t win another game this season (unlikely) or that the Cards wind up in the playoffs despite a late slump?

Prediction: Cowboys

Week 14 Games with Biggest Playoff Implications

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Dallas (8-4) at Chicago (5-7)

Both of these teams came up way short on Thanksgiving, as the Cowboys were overwhelmed at home by the Eagles while the Bears squandered an 11-point lead at Detroit. Jason Garrett’s team is a perfect 5-0 on the road this season.

Baltimore (7-5) at Miami (7-5)

The Ravens squandered a lead on Sunday in a rare home loss to the San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins rebounded from a rough afternoon in Denver to edge the Jets on Monday night. Can the Miami pass rush harass Joe Flacco into some big mistakes?

Buffalo (7-5) at Denver (9-3)

For the first time since 2007, the Bills won’t finish last in the AFC East. But can Doug Marrone’s team claim a playoff berth this season? Buffalo’s much-improved defense faces a big test in Denver’s revitalized running game…

Carolina (3-8-1) at New Orleans (5-7)

This almost looks like the NFL’s version of the “Island of Misfit Toys” on this list of prominent matchups. But someone has to win the NFC South…we think.

Indianapolis (8-4) at Cleveland (7-5)

Another week and another decision when it comes to sports in Cleveland: Will it be Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel at quarterback for the team? The Colts have no such issues, as Andrew Luck comes off a five-touchdown performance in a win over the Washington Redskins.

Kansas City (7-5) at Arizona (9-3)

A few weeks ago, both the Chiefs and Cardinals were making a lot of noise and riding long winning streaks. Now barring a tie, either Andy Reid or Bruce Arians will be trying to figure out how to end a three-game skid. Kansas City’s struggling run defense could be the cure for Arizona’s inept running game.

Pittsburgh (7-5) at Cincinnati (8-3-1)

These teams will square off twice in the next four weeks. Who can tell anything when it comes to the unpredictable Steelers? Meanwhile, Marvin Lewis’ improving Bengals return home after three consecutive road victories.

Seattle (8-4) at Philadelphia (9-3)

Both the Seahawks and Eagles come off impressive road wins on Thanksgiving Day. It will be interesting to see if the Seattle defense can put the clamps on Chip Kelly’s explosive team as it did in stifling the Cardinals and 49ers the last two weeks.

New England (9-3) at San Diego (8-4)

Tom Brady and company played a good game at Lambeau Field, but the Packers were just a little better. The Chargers’ midseason slump appears to be over as they won their third straight game on Sunday at Baltimore and this time in dramatic fashion.

Atlanta (5-7) at Green Bay (9-3)

Mike Smith’s team finally did something on Sunday that it had failed to do all season, and that was beat a team outside of its division. Speaking of outside, it ought to be pretty chilly at Lambeau Field on Monday night, although it is Aaron Rodgers and the Packers who have remained red-hot.