Minnesota, Washington among 6 seeking NFL playoff spots

Washington and Minnesota will try to clinch NFL playoff berths with weekend victories, while four other clubs need a win and some help to book a spot in the post-season.

Unbeaten Carolina, Arizona, Green Bay and Seattle have already clinched National Conference (NFC) berths, with Washington and Minnesota trying to join them.

Washington (7-7) will try to clinch the NFC East division title with a Saturday victory at Philadelphia (6-8) while the Vikings can grab no worse than a wildcard berth by defeating the visiting New York Giants on Sunday.

The Vikings (9-5) also clinch a playoff berth with an Atlanta loss to Carolina or Seattle (9-5) home victory over St. Louis (6-8).

Washington receiver DeSean Jackson struck his former Eagles teammates for 126 last season to end Philadelphia's playoff hopes in the penultimate game of the season and could doom their bid again this year.

"My motivation for this game is to win," Jackson said. "I could care less about what it has to do on the other end. We have something special to do here."

Eagles cornerback Byron Maxwell has a shoulder sprain and missed practice this week, leaving rookie Eric Rowe to return after a concussion to face Jackson.

"Although he's not the number-one target they have, every time he is targeted, it can be explosive. He can change a game probably quicker than all of their threats," Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins said.
"So we have to know where he is at all times. His ability to stretch the field is something to be respected."

Undefeated Carolina, 14-0 and two wins from a perfect season, owns a first-round playoff bye and can clinch a home-field edge throughout the NFC playoffs with a victory at Atlanta (7-7) or Arizona home loss to Green Bay. A Cardinals victory over the Packers (10-4) would give the Cardinals (12-2) a first-round bye.

In the American Conference (AFC), defending Super Bowl champion New England has clinched a first-round bye and Cincinnati has secured a playoff spot.

New England (12-2) would secure a home-field edge throughout the AFC playoffs with a victory at the New York Jets (9-5) while Cincinnati (11-3) would clinch a first-round bye with a victory Monday night at Denver (10-4).

Houston, Denver, Kansas City and Pittsburgh can clinch playoff spots as well while the Jets will hope to stay in contention to the season's final weekend.

A Denver victory Monday and loss by either Kansas City against Cleveland, Pittsburgh at Baltimore or the Jets would put the Broncos in the playoffs.

A Houston victory at Tennessee and Indianapolis loss at Miami would ensure the Texans (7-7) the AFC South division crown and a playoff berth.

Kansas City (9-5) claims a playoff spot with a victory and loss by either Pittsburgh or the Jets and the Steelers (9-5) get a playoff spot with a triumph and Jets loss.

Sunday's other games find Chicago at Tampa Bay, Dallas at Buffalo, San Francisco at Detroit and Jacksonville at New Orleans.
Source: AFP