NFL playoff picture: Cardinals clinch postseason berth
Another team has punched its ticket to the postseason.
The Arizona Cardinals claimed a spot in the playoffs with a 23-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
Here's a look at where the playoff picture stands entering Week 14 after Arizona's win.
NFC
1. Carolina Panthers (12-0): With the division in hand, Carolina now sets its sights on a first-round bye and possible home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
2. Arizona Cardinals (11-2): Arizona is headed back to the postseason, but still needs another win or a Seattle Seahawks loss to claim the NFC West.
3. Green Bay Packers (8-4): Green Bay holds onto its spot atop the NFC North thanks to its earlier win over the Minnesota Vikings, but the Packers might have to finish the job against their rivals in Week 17 at Lambeau Field.
4. Washington Redskins (5-7): Somebody has to win the NFC East. The rules say so. And right now it is technically the Redskins' division to lose. If you can believe that.
5. Minnesota Vikings (8-5): Minnesota's second straight loss could prove costly, as the Vikings would lose a tiebreaker to the Seahawks and fall to the sixth spot if the teams finish with the same record.
6. Seattle Seahawks (7-5): Seattle is surging after its third straight win, but it will need other teams to stumble in order to climb up in the NFC pecking order.
Next up: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), Atlanta Falcons (6-6), Philadelphia Eagles (5-7), New York Giants (5-7), Chicago Bears (5-7)
AFC
1. Cincinnati Bengals (10-2): Yes, Cincinnati moves into the top spot thanks to its record in conference games, which tops the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos' marks.
2. Denver Broncos (10-2): With the same record as the Patriots, the Broncos hold the head-to-head tiebreaker and thus stand as the second seed.
3. New England Patriots (10-2): New England plummets out of the top spot after its loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
4. Indianapolis Colts (6-6): Indianapolis remains in the fourth slot after the Houston Texans' loss ensured there would not be a shake-up atop the AFC South on Sunday.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (7-5): A six-game win streak has Kansas City out in front in the AFC wild-card race.
6. New York Jets (7-5): New York vaulted into the second wild-place spot after an overtime win against the Giants on Sunday.
Next up: Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5), Buffalo Bills (6-6), Houston Texans (6-6), Oakland Raiders (5-7)