Now that Week 12 of the NFL season is upon us, those annual and sometimes perplexing playoff scenarios have made their official entry into the fans' consciousness.
For better or for worse.
The 0-10 Detroit Lions, for example, are the only team mathematically eliminated.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals are in position to clinch playoff inclusion Sunday. First, though, a look at the permutation board is in order.
Tennessee, at 10-0, could earn entry with a win against the New York Jets , but the Titans need plenty more help.
*The Miami Dolphins must lose or tie against the New England Patriots .
*The Baltimore Ravens need to lose or tie vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.
*The Cincinnati Bengals had to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night.
The Cardinals, meanwhile, need to beat the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants at home and they're in, with conditions.
They also need the San Francisco 49ers to lose at the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins to win or tie at the Seattle Seahawks.
Granted, it's a bit early to consider such scenarios, but it's there, and the next several weeks will amplify the possibilities. "Yep," former Giants coach Jim Fassel said this week. "It's that time of the year. Things really start to get interesting now."
Play FOX Pro Football Pick'em Today >
