Cardinals again can clinch playoff berth with win, but also 6 other scenarios

The Cardinals need a win to clinch a postseason berth. There are six other ways to do it, but beating the Colts is the best way to go.

The Arizona Cardinals find themselves in a win-and-you’re-in scenario for the postseason for the third straight week. Able to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2015 each of the last two weeks with a win and failing to do so, they are in the same scenario in Week 16.

If they beat the Indianapolis Colts Saturday night, they lock in a postseason spot. It would be a relief for them to do it, as they are 0-4 over the last two seasons in playoff-clinching scenarios.

Last season, needing just one win over the final two games, they lost consecutive games to the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams, going against backup quarterbacks.

This season, they lost a close Monday night game to the Rams 30-23 and then were embarrassed on the road against the Detroit Lions 30-12. The Lions had only one win all season entering that game.

Now they must do it against the 8-6 Colts, who have won five of their lats six games and have the best player in the NFL right now, running back Jonathan Taylor.

It is not the only way the Cardinals can clinch a playoff spot. There are six other possible and also plausible scenarios.

Even if they lose on Saturday, they will earn a playoff birth if there is:

  • An Eagles loss or tie against the Giants and a 49ers loss to the Titans.
  • An Eagles loss or tie with the Giants and a Vikings loss or tie with the Rams (although this would give the Rams the division lead).
  • An Eagles loss or tie with Giants and a Saints loss or tie with the Dolphins.
  • A Vikings loss or tie with the Rams and a 49ers loss to the Titans.
  • A Vikings loss or tie with the Rams and a Saints loss or tie with Dolphins.
  • A Saints loss or tie with the Dolphins and a 49ers loss to the Titans.

Obviously, the way we want the Cardinals to clinch is with a win. That takes care of everything else and maintains their lead in the division, no matter what the Rams do against the Vikings.

Plus, it would help stop the ugly narrative about the Cardinals being a bad team in December.

Getting to the playoffs is the goal. But backing in is not the way the team should have done it, especially with the start of the season they had.

[listicle id=463245]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and