NFL playoff picture

If New England and KC were to lose once each and finish at 13-3, then Indianapolis becomes a possible barrier to the Patriots' home-field advantage, because Indy can wind up 13-3 as well and some three-way tiebreakers favor the Colts and Chiefs.

A look at the leading contenders in the AFC and NFC playoff pictures. Four division winners and two wild-card teams make the playoffs in each conference. The key tiebreakers in two-way ties are head-to-head, division record, and conference record.

AFC
WHAT CAN BE CLINCHED THIS WEEKEND

Indianapolis: Clinches South title with a win combined with a Tennessee loss. Clinches playoff berth with one of the following: (a) a win; (b) a Miami loss; (c) a tie combined with a Miami tie; (d) a tie combined with a Denver loss.
Tennessee: Clinches playoff berth with a win combined with a Miami loss and a Cincinnati loss or tie.

Kansas City: Gets West title with one of the following: (a) a win or tie; (b) a Denver loss or tie.

NFC
WHAT CAN BE CLINCHED THIS WEEKEND

Philadelphia: Clinches East title with one of the following: (a) a Dallas loss; (b) a win combined with a Dallas tie. Clinches first-round bye with a win combined with losses or ties by Dallas, Minnesota, and Carolina.

Minnesota: Clinches North title with a win combined with a Green Bay loss.

Carolina: Clinches South title with one of the following: (a) a win; (b) a New Orleans loss combined with a Tampa Bay loss; (c) a tie combined with a New Orleans tie and Tampa Bay tie.

St. Louis: Clinches West title with a win. Clinches first-round bye with one of the following: (a) a win combined with losses or ties by Carolina and Minnesota; (b) a win combined with losses or ties by Carolina and Dallas and a loss by Philadelphia. c-clinched division title; p-clinched playoff spot; d-division leader