NFL playoff picture: Saints can clinch NFC South, postseason berth

The New Orleans Saints can claim their place in the NFL playoff picture with a win over the Atlanta Falcons, which would win the NFC South.

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There’s going to be a lot on the line when the New Orleans Saints visit the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. With a win, the Saints can clinch their third straight NFC South crown; with a loss, it will take some help for them to exit Week 13 with a division title, but it’s still possible.

Beyond bragging rights, winning the NFC South gives the Saints a guaranteed spot in the playoffs. They’re the only team that can earn its place in the postseason tournament with a win this week, though the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots can each punch their ticket if a few other things go their way.

Here are the possible playoff scenarios the NFL confirmed Tuesday:

How the Saints can clinch the NFC South

Simply beating the Falcons on Thanksgiving night will be enough for New Orleans. But if they come up short, a loss or tie by the Carolina Panthers (who play the Washington Redskins on Sunday) would allow the Saints to back into a division win.

How the 49ers can clinch a playoff berth

Things are more complicated for San Francisco. They’re one of the two hottest teams in the NFL right now, and they have to compete with the other candidate (the Baltimore Ravens) on the road on Sunday. If the 49ers beat or tie with Lamar Jackson, Mark Ingram, and the Ravens they’ll have to check into the Los Angeles Rams’ road game with the Arizona Cardinals. If San Francisco wins or ties, it’ll take a Rams tie or loss to get them into the playoffs this week.

How the Patriots can clinch the playoff berth

Meanwhile in the AFC, New England has to bag a road win against this week’s opponent: Deshaun Watson and the cornered Houston Texans. If they can do that, all eyes turn to the Pittsburgh Steelers (who are hosting the Cleveland Browns), Oakland Raiders (visiting the Kansas City Chiefs), and Indianapolis Colts (versus the Tennessee Titans). If either of those two first two teams lose and the Patriots win, New England clinches a playoff berth.

However, if the Patriots tie with the Texans, it’ll take one of several different combinations to punch their ticket. It’s complicated, so we’ve broken each scenario down below:

  • Raiders loss and Steelers loss
  • Raiders loss and Colts loss
  • Steelers loss and Colts loss

So those are somewhat long odds. As long as the Saints can handle their business against Atlanta on Thursday, they and their fans can spend the long holiday weekend kicked back and relaxed, watching lesser teams fight and scrap their way into the postseason.

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