Playoff-clinching scenarios for Bills, Chiefs and Lions
Oct 10, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) talks with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) before warm ups at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Buffalo, Kansas City and Detroit have a chance to punch their playoff tickets in Week 13.
The Bills (9-2) have the least complicated scenario. They can clinch the AFC East by beating the San Francisco 49ers at home on Sunday night, paired with a loss Thursday night by the division rival Miami Dolphins (5-6) at Green Bay.
The Chiefs (10-1) can clinch a playoff berth with a victory on Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders plus one of three other outcomes: a Miami loss or tie on Thursday; a loss by the AFC West rival Denver Broncos (7-5) Monday against Cleveland; or a loss by the division rival Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) Sunday at Atlanta plus a Denver tie.
Two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City can also clinch with a tie against Las Vegas and a Miami loss.
The NFC North-leading Lions (10-1) have six potential pathways, each of them requiring a win on Thursday at home against the division rival Chicago Bears.
The Lions would also need a San Francisco loss or tie plus one of the following scenarios:
--Arizona loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Tampa Bay loss or tie
--Arizona loss plus Seattle tie plus Tampa Bay loss or tie
--Arizona loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Washington loss or tie plus Atlanta loss
--Arizona loss or tie plus Seattle loss plus Washington loss plus Atlanta tie
--Arizona loss plus Seattle tie plus Washington loss or tie plus Atlanta loss
--Arizona loss plus Seattle tie plus Washington loss plus Atlanta tie
--Field Level Media
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