The Eagles are headed back to the playoffs.
The team needed a win to have any chance of sewing up a spot in the postseason tournament on Sunday and they took care of that by beating the Panthers 22-16 at home. With that win in place, there were several combinations of results that would allow them to clinch their berth.
Losses by the Falcons and Cardinals along with the Lions’ win on Thursday night turned out to be the right combination and the Eagles now know that they will be in the playoffs for the fourth time in head coach Nick Sirianni’s four seasons.
At 11-2, the Eagles have a three-game lead over the Commanders in the NFC East. That means they will clinch the division title with a win over the Steelers and a Commanders loss to the Saints. If that doesn’t happen, they can take care of business by beating the Commanders in Week 16.
The Bills have clinched the AFC East, the Lions and Chiefs have clinched playoff berth, and 11 more playoff spots are up for grabs. Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks after the early Sunday games of Week 14:
NFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Detroit Lions (12-1): Big Thursday night win against the Packers.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2): Clinched a playoff berth.
3. Seattle Seahawks (8-5): Have the lead in the very competitive NFC West.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6): Have the lead in the terrible NFC South.
WILD CARDS
5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2): Loss at home to the Lions will hurt their chances, but a Week 18 rematch in Detroit looms.
6. Green Bay Packers (9-4): Getting swept by the Lions pretty much takes them out of NFC North contention.
7. Washington Commanders (8-5): Big lead in the wild card race.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Los Angeles Rams (7-6): Big win over the Bills.
9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7): Loss on Sunday hurt their chances in the NFC South.
10. Arizona Cardinals (6-7): Sunday was bad day for their NFC West chances.
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-7): Preseason NFC favorites are unlikely to make the playoffs.
12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7): Thanksgiving win kept them alive.
13. New Orleans Saints (5-8): Two games out in the NFC South.
14. Chicago Bears (4-9): New interim head coach Thomas Brown had an ugly first game.
15. Carolina Panthers (3-10): Playing much better football of late.
16. New York Giants (2-11): Mathematically eliminated.
AFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1): Clinched a playoff berth, now focused on the No. 1 seed.
2. Buffalo Bills (10-3): Clinched the AFC East, but loss to Rams was costly in the race for the No. 1 seed
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3): A big lead and the tiebreaker edge in the AFC North.
4. Houston Texans (8-5): They’re not playing well, but they should win the AFC South by default.
WILD CARDS
5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4): Big game looms Sunday night.
6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5): Running out of time to catch the Steelers.
7. Denver Broncos (8-5): Bo Nix has led them into the wild card race.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7): Catching the Texans in the AFC South will be a long shot.
9. Miami Dolphins (6-7): Trying to keep their faint hopes alive with a win over the Jets.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8): May not get to the playoffs even if they run the table.
11. Cleveland Browns (3-10): Mathematically eliminated.
12. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10): Mathematically eliminated.
13. New York Jets (3-10): Mathematically eliminated.
14. Tennessee Titans (3-10): Mathematically eliminated.
15. New England Patriots (3-10): Mathematically eliminated.
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11): Mathematically eliminated.
Clinching Scenarios
The following Week 14 playoff scenarios were distributed by the NFL:
AFC
CLINCHED:
Buffalo Bills (10-2) – AFC East
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) – playoff berth
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4); Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Kansas City clinches AFC West division title with:
- KC win
NFC
CLINCHED:
Detroit Lions (12-1) – playoff berth
Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) – playoff berth
With Thanksgiving behind us, the NFL playoff picture is coming into focus. Here’s how the playoff picture looks heading into Monday night of Week 13:
NFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Detroit Lions (11-1): Held on to beat the Bears.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2): Big lead in the NFC East.
3. Seattle Seahawks (7-5): Took a big step toward winning the NFC West.
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-6): Still leading the NFC South.
WILD CARDS
5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2): Lost at home to the Lions.
6. Green Bay Packers (9-3): Lost at home to the Lions and Vikings.
7. Washington Commanders (8-5): Big win over the Titans reversed their recent slide.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6): Own the NFC record tiebreaker over the Rams.
9. Arizona Cardinals (6-6): Sunday’s loss to the Vikings was big.
10. Los Angeles Rams (6-6): Stayed alive with a win over the Saints.
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-7): Preseason NFC favorites are at risk of missing the playoffs.
12. Dallas Cowboys (5-7): Thanksgiving win kept them alive.
13. New Orleans Saints (4-8): Two games out in the division.
14. Chicago Bears (4-8): Deep in last place in the NFC North.
15. Carolina Panthers (3-9): Playing much better football of late.
16. New York Giants (2-10): Mathematically eliminated.
AFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1): Clinched a playoff berth.
2. Buffalo Bills (10-2): Clinched the AFC East.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3): Another big win in the AFC North.
4. Houston Texans (8-5): They’re not playing well, but they should win the AFC South by default.
WILD CARDS
5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4): Tough road win in Atlanta.
6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5): Running out of time to catch the Steelers.
7. Denver Broncos (7-5): Bo Nix has led them into the wild card race.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7): Catching the Texans in the AFC South will be a long shot.
9. Miami Dolphins (5-7): Losing to the Packers on Thanksgiving hurt any hopes they had of making a late-season run.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8): May not get to the playoffs even if they run the table.
11. Cleveland Browns (3-8): Deshaun Watson dug a hole that Jameis Winston won’t be able to dig the Browns out of.
12. New York Jets (3-9): The Aaron Rodgers experience is trending toward disaster.
13. Tennessee Titans (3-9): A big upset over the Texans on Sunday.
14. New England Patriots (3-10): Mathematically eliminated.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10): Doug Pederson is on the hot seat.
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-10): Mathematically eliminated.
The NFL playoff race is heating up heading into Thanksgiving, and here’s how the playoff picture is shaping up before the Thanksgiving games in Week 13:
NFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Detroit Lions (10-1): 1-game lead in the NFC North.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (9-2): 2.5-game lead in the NFC East.
3. Seattle Seahawks (6-5): Own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Falcons and Cardinals.
4. Atlanta Falcons (6-5): One-game lead in the NFC South.
WILD CARDS
5. Minnesota Vikings (9-2): Lost at home to the Lions.
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3): Lost at home to the Lions and Vikings.
7. Washington Commanders (7-5): Need to reverse their recent slide.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Arizona Cardinals (6-5): Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks was big.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6): Own the NFC record tiebreaker over the Rams.
10. Los Angeles Rams (5-6): Own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the 49ers.
11. San Francisco 49ers (5-6): Preseason NFC favorites are at risk of missing the playoffs.
12. New Orleans Saints (4-7): Two games out in the division.
13. Chicago Bears (4-7): Deep in last place in the NFC North.
14. Dallas Cowboys (4-7): Thanksgiving against the Giants looks like a turkey.
15. Carolina Panthers (3-8): Playing much better football of late.
16. New York Giants (2-9): Worst team in the NFC.
AFC Playoff Picture
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Kansas City Chiefs (10-1): The reigning champs sit atop the conference.
2. Buffalo Bills (9-2): If they can catch the Chiefs in the standings, they’ll have the head-to-head tiebreaker.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3): Beating the Ravens head to head was big.
4. Houston Texans (7-5): They’re not playing well, but they should win the AFC South by default.
WILD CARDS
5. Baltimore Ravens (8-4): Big win over the Chargers on Monday night.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4): Big loss to the Ravens on Monday night.
7. Denver Broncos (7-5): Bo Nix has led them to a two-game lead in the wild card race.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
8. Miami Dolphins (5-6): With Tua Tagovailoa healthy, they play like playoff contenders.
9. Indianapolis Colts (5-7): Catching the Texans in the AFC South will be a long shot.
10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-7): Probably need to run the table to get to the playoffs.
11. Cleveland Browns (3-8): Deshaun Watson dug a hole that Jameis Winston won’t be able to dig the Browns out of.
12. New York Jets (3-8): The Aaron Rodgers experience is trending toward disaster.
13. Tennessee Titans (3-8): A big upset over the Texans on Sunday.
14. New England Patriots (3-9): Drake Maye is showing promise, but this team is a long way from contention.
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9): Doug Pederson is on the hot seat.
16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9): Antonio Pierce is on the hot seat.
Clinching scenarios
Buffalo Bills (9-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-6); Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Buffalo clinches AFC East division title with:
- BUF win + MIA loss
Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9); Friday, 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with:
- KC win + MIA loss or tie
- KC win + DEN loss
- KC win + LAC loss + DEN tie
- KC tie + MIA loss
NFC
Detroit Lions (10-1) vs. Chicago Bears (4-7); Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Detroit clinches a playoff berth with:
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + TB loss or tie
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + WAS loss + ATL tie
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + WAS loss + ATL tie
Note: There are additional scenarios in which Detroit can clinch a playoff spot with a tie and other outcomes that involve the Lions clinching the strength of victory tiebreaker.
Daniel Jones has found a new home.
After being released by the Giants and clearing waivers, Jones is signing with the Vikings’ practice squad, according to multiple reports.
Jones, 27, will now join a team ostensibly on its way to the postseason with a chance to learn under head coach Kevin O’Connell. While 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is set up to be the Minnesota’s quarterback of the future after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for his rookie year, Sam Darnold is under contract for just 2024.
Darnold has led Minnesota to a 9-2 record through 11 games. He’s completed 67.6 percent of his throws for 2,717 yards with a career-high 21 touchdowns along with 10 interceptions.
Minnesota also has Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien on its 53-man roster. The Vikings have only one quarterback under contract for 2025 in McCarthy.
Jones completed 63.3 percent of his throws fro 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Giants in 2024. In 70 career games with 69 starts for New York, Jones compiled a 24-44-1 record, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 14,582 yards with 70 touchdowns and 47 picks. He’s also rushed for 2,179 yards with 15 TDs.
If the Chiefs beat the Raiders on Black Friday, Patrick Mahomes will have his 100th win as a starting quarterback, counting the postseason. And that would put him in some elite company in NFL history.
Mahomes is in his eighth NFL season, and Tom Brady currently owns the record for most wins in the first eight seasons of a quarterback’s career. Brady won exactly 100 games, regular season and postseason, in his first eight seasons.
That means Mahomes will tie Brady with a win on Friday, and top Brady if he leads the Chiefs to just one more win this season.
Mahomes and Brady both barely played as rookies. Mahomes got one win as a starter in the meaningless final game of the regular season, while Brady never started as a rookie. But both became starters in their second seasons and turned their respective teams into dynasties. Mahomes still has a long way to go to match Brady’s longevity, but comparing them at the same points in their careers, Mahomes is exceeding Brady’s greatness.
It is only Week 13. Yet, three teams have opportunities to stamp their ticket to the postseason this week.
The Bills can clinch the AFC East, which would their fifth division title in a row.
Buffalo Bills (9-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-6); Sunday night, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
Buffalo clinches AFC East division title with:
- BUF win + MIA loss
Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9); Friday, 3 p.m. ET, Prime Video
Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with:
- KC win + MIA loss or tie
- KC win + DEN loss
- KC win + LAC loss + DEN tie
- KC tie + MIA loss
NFC
Detroit Lions (10-1) vs. Chicago Bears (4-7); Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Detroit clinches a playoff berth with:
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + TB loss or tie
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + WAS loss + ATL tie
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + WAS loss or tie + ATL loss
- DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + WAS loss + ATL tie
Note: There are additional scenarios in which Detroit can clinch a playoff spot with a tie and other outcomes that involve the Lions clinching the strength of victory tiebreaker.
The Lions have 10 wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history and their ability to play well away from home has a lot to do with their success.
Sunday’s 24-6 win in Indianapolis moved the Lions to 6-0 outside of Detroit this season. They are the only team that remains unbeaten on the road this year, which is a big change from the 0-11-1 record that head coach Dan Campbell compiled in his first 12 road games.
Campbell noted that quarterback Jared Goff is part of the group of veterans “responsible for the flip” and Goff reveled in the team’s success after Sunday’s win.
“We are road warriors. We love it,” Goff said, via Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com. “We come together on the road, and we have an us-against-the-world mentality and it’s fun when we can get our own fans here. The way they show out, it’s really unbelievable. They do a hell of a job.”
The Lions are the NFC’s first 10-win team this season, but the Eagles and Vikings are nipping at their heels in the race for the top spot in the conference. That may wind up making their ability to win on the road the reason why they won’t have to play there in the postseason.
The Lions used a solid defensive performance to keep Anthony Richardson and the Colts under wraps, coming away with a 24-6 victory.
Detroit running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for three touchdown runs in the contest. Gibbs led the way with…. as Montgomery had to leave the game due to a shoulder injury. He finished with 37 yards on eight carries.
Gibbs’ 1-yard touchdown run gave the Lions a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter. Then Montgomery scored on a 6-yard run late in the same period. Gibbs put the ball in for a 5-yard score late in the second quarter, which made the score 21-6.
Jake Bates added a 56-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to give Detroit 24 points.
The Colts had opportunities, particularly early in the game. But they could not capitalize on them. While the club had a solid opening drive with Anthony Richardson powering his way through defenders, the possession stalled in the red zone and Indianapolis settled for a 27-yard field goal. Then Drew Ogletree dropped a touchdown in the second quarter that would’ve made the game 10-7, Indianapolis, with an extra point. But instead, the club had to settle for a 29-yard field goal and was still down 7-6.
Indianapolis did not score again.
Richardson finished with another ugly passing stat line, completing 11-of-28 passes for 172 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. While he did fumble once, he recovered it. He led the team in rushing with 61 yards on 10 attempts.
Jonathan Taylor finished with 35 yards on 11 carries.
The Lions limited the Colts to just 11 first downs, 268 total yards, and 3-of-12 on third down.
But Detroit had several players suffer injuries, which could be a concern with the team playing on Thursday to begin the Thanksgiving slate. Aside from Montgomery, receiver Kalif Raymond exited with a foot injury suffered on a punt return. Cornerback Carlton Davis left with a knee injury suffered in the second half. Left tackle Taylor Decker briefly left with knee and ankle injuries but did return.
The Lions have now won nine consecutive games in a season for the first time since 1934. And Detroit has also won at least 10 games in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history.
Now at 10-1, Detroit will host Chicago on Thursday afternoon.
The 5-7 Colts will be on the road to face the Patriots in Week 13.
Two tickets to the Super Bowl has been punched, and here’s where the 2023-2024 postseason stands:
AFC Playoff Bracket
1. Baltimore Ravens, lost to Kansas City Chiefs in AFC Championship Game.
2. Buffalo Bills, lost to Kansas City Chiefs in divisional round.
3. Kansas City Chiefs, beat Baltimore Ravens in AFC Championship Game.
4. Houston Texans, lost to Baltimore Ravens in divisional round.
5. Cleveland Browns, lost to Houston Texans in wild card round.
6. Miami Dolphins, lost to Kansas City Chiefs in wild card round.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers, lost to Buffalo Bills in wild card round.
NFC Playoff Bracket
1. San Francisco 49ers, beat Detroit Lions in NFC Championship Game.
2. Dallas Cowboys, lost to Green Bay Packers in wild card round.
3. Detroit Lions, lost to San Francisco 49ers in NFC Championship Game.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, lost to Detroit Lions in divisional round
5. Philadelphia Eagles, lost at Tampa Bay in wild card round.
6. Los Angeles Rams, lost at Detroit in wild card round.
7. Green Bay Packers, lost to San Francisco 49ers in divisional round.
Playoff Schedule
Wild card round
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Texans 45, Browns 14.
Chiefs 26, Dolphins 7.
Sunday, January 14, 2024
Packers 48, Cowboys 32.
Lions 24, Rams 23.
Monday, January 15, 2024
Bills 31, Steelers 17.
Buccaneers 32, Eagles 9.
Divisional Round
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Ravens 34, Texans 10.
49ers 24, Packers 21.
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Lions 31, Buccaneers 23.
Chiefs 27, Bills 24.
Conference Championships
Sunday, January 28, 2024
- AFC Championship Game: Kansas City 17, Baltimore 10.
- NFC Championship Game San Francisco 34, Detroit 31.
Super Bowl LVIII
Sunday, February 11, 2024 - 6:30 p.m. (CBS)
