4 weeks remain in the NFL regular season
The GIST: With just four weeks left in the regular season, the pressure to make the playoffs is on, and a few teams could lock it up this weekend. Paging Jim Mora.
How it works: Fourteen of the NFL’s 30 teams — seven from the AFC, seven from the NFC — will advance to the postseason. But it’s not enough just to clinch, as only two squads (the No. 1 seed in each conference) will secure a coveted bye (read: a week of rest) come playoff time.
Who’s already in: The 12-1 Philadelphia Eagles have already soared to the postseason after becoming the first team to clinch with last week’s monster win. Now, the Birds are focused on their Christmas album winning the NFC East.
- And with last night’s 21–13 win over the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers sealed the deal, nabbing the NFC West title despite contending with the injury bug.
Who could be next: Four teams have the potential to join the party this weekend. Starting with tomorrow’s (yes, tomorrow’s) action, the Minnesota Vikings can lock in the NFC North title with a win vs. the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. ET, while the Buffalo Bills will three-peat as AFC East champs if they can take down the Miami Dolphins at 8:15 p.m. ET.
- Then on Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs can reign supreme in the AFC West with a victory over the Houston Texans, while the Dallas Cowboys can secure their spot with a dub over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Both games kick off at 1 p.m. ET…prepare that confetti.
