While six weeks remain before the 2024 NFL regular season ends, three teams can secure a playoff berth as early as Week 13. The early-season dominance of the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions allowed them to book their postseason ticket through the following scenarios.
The two-time defending Super Bowl champions can clinch a playoff berth if they win on Black Friday (November 29) against the Las Vegas Raiders while the Miami Dolphins lose their Thanksgiving game (November 28) versus the Green Bay Packers.
The 10-1 Chiefs can also guarantee their tenth consecutive playoff appearance with a win against Las Vegas plus a loss by the Denver Broncos in their Week 13 Monday Night Football home game against the Cleveland Browns.
Meanwhile, the Bills have the American Football Conference’s second-best record at 9-2. If they beat the San Francisco 49ers and the Dolphins lose to the Packers, they can secure the AFC East and a home game during the Wild Card Round.
Finally, the Dolphins have six scenarios to claim a spot in the NFC playoffs by Week 13. The first scenario is if they win their Thanksgiving game against the Chicago Bears plus losses or ties for the 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks (loss), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
According to the NFL's official account on X (formerly Twitter), here are the scenarios that can guarantee Detroit’s place in the NFC postseason.
The @Lions could also clinch a playoff berth this week if one of these 6 scenarios happen:
— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2024
1. DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie + SEA loss + TB loss or tie
2. DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss + SEA tie + TB loss or tie
3. DET win + SF loss or tie + ARI loss or tie… https://t.co/NGnvHvnUGN pic.twitter.com/A2ecEBS4v1
-Lance Fernandez