The Cowboys last week became the first NFL team in 2016 to clinch a playoff berth ... and became the first playoff domino to fall. Against the Giants this week, they have a chance to put the rest of the conference at a disadvantage come playoff time.
The NFL playoff picture will form throughout the next four weeks, and the list of teams with chances to clinch something will grow significantly.
MORE: NFL playoff picture
In Week 14, though, only the Patriots, Raiders, Cowboys and Seahawks have chances to clinch divisions, playoff berths, first-round byes or home-field advantage. It's part of the reason those teams make up four of the top five in SN's NFL power rankings.
Here are the NFL playoff scenarios for Week 14.
AFC
New England Patriots: (10-2, vs. Baltimore (7-5), Monday night)
— Clinches AFC East with:
1. NE win + MIA loss or tie OR
2. NE tie + MIA loss
— Clinches first-round bye with:
1. NE win + MIA loss or tie + PIT loss or tie
Oakland Raiders: (10-2, at Kansas City (9-3), Thursday night)
— Clinches playoff berth with:
1. OAK win + MIA loss or tie OR
2. OAK win + DEN loss OR
3. OAK tie + MIA loss + BAL loss or tie OR
4. OAK tie + MIA loss + PIT loss or tie
WEEK 14 PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread
NFC
Clinched playoff berth: Dallas
Dallas Cowboys: (11-1, at New York Giants (8-4), Sunday night)
— Clinches NFC East with:
1. DAL win
— Clinches first-round bye with:
1. DAL win + DET loss or tie OR
2. DAL win + SEA loss
— Clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
1. DAL win + DET loss or tie + SEA loss
Seattle Seahawks: (8-3-1, at Green Bay (6-6), Sunday)
— Clinches NFC West with:
1. SEA win + AZ loss or tie OR
2. SEA tie + AZ loss