For the Arizona Cardinals to secure a playoff berth last season, it came down to the regular season finale.
They lost, and that was that.
This season, Arizona sits atop the NFC heading into Week 14, and Kliff Kingsbury’s squad this week can lock in its first postseason appearance since 2015. It’s a possibility even if the Cardinals fall on Monday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams.
A win or tie will secure a playoff bid for Arizona. Easy as that.
But if the second meeting with the Rams goes against the Cardinals, there are three more scenarios that can happen prior where a playoff berth will be guaranteed for Arizona heading into the final four games of 2021.
1. Vikings lose or tie, and 49ers lose
The Minnesota Vikings (5-7) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1) for Thursday Night Football, and Cardinals fans will root for the visiting team to win.
Arizona in this scenario would need that plus a loss by the San Francisco 49ers (6-6), who visit the Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) Sunday in the afternoon time slot.
Odds:
Vikings (-3) over Steelers
49ers (-1) over Bengals
2. Vikings lose or tie, Saints lose or tie, plus Panthers lose or tie
In addition to needing Pittsburgh to beat or tie with Minnesota, the Cardinals would benefit from the New Orleans Saints (5-7) falling on the road to the New York Jets (3-9) and the Carolina Panthers (5-7) to lose or tie at home while facing the Atlanta Falcons (5-7).
Odds:
Saints (-5.5) over Jets
Panthers (-3) over Falcons
3. 49ers lose, Saints lose or tie, plus Falcons and Panthers tie
A unique combo if the Falcons and Panthers end in a tie can also catapult Arizona to a postseason berth this week.
Odds:
49ers (-1) over Bengals
Saints (-5.5) over Jets
Panthers (-3) over Falcons