NFL Early Playoff Scenarios

It's the second most-hopeful time of the NFL season -- it's time for playoff scenarios to come together.

Few moments are more enjoyable than when a network broadcast shows a full-screen graphic of the playoff picture, and seven teams are squeezed into the "In the Hunt" category with near-identical records. Parity reigns supreme, and nothing is certain. Will the Texans win the AFC South? What are the chances the Buccaneers end up with a playoff spot? What is time?

NFC 

Week 14 offers four teams the chance to clinch a playoff berth and/or division title (with Dallas having already locked up a ticket to the postseason): New England, Seattle, Dallas and Oakland. Time to play make-believe!

CLINCHED: Dallas Cowboys -- playoff berth
ELIMINATED: San Francisco

DALLAS COWBOYS
Dallas clinches division title:
1) DAL win
Dallas clinches a first-round bye:
1) DAL win + DET loss or tie
2) DAL win + SEA loss
Dallas clinches homefield advantage throughout NFC playoffs:
1) DAL win + DET loss or tie + SEA loss

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Seattle clinches division title:
1) SEA win + ARI loss or tie
2) SEA tie + ARI loss

AFC

CLINCHED: None
ELIMINATED: Cleveland, Jacksonville, NY Jets

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
New England clinches division title:
1) NE win + MIA loss or tie
2) NE tie + MIA loss
New England clinches a first-round bye:
1) NE win + MIA loss or tie + PIT loss or tie

OAKLAND RAIDERS
Oakland clinches a playoff berth:
1) OAK win + MIA loss or tie
2) OAK win + DEN loss
3) OAK tie + MIA loss + BAL loss or tie
4) OAK tie + MIA loss + PIT loss or tie