Cardinals playoff scenario: What does Arizona need to increase their playoff chances in Week 14

Following four consecutive victories that put them on top of the NFC West rankings, the Arizona Cardinals have since lost their last two games against the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks, giving Seattle the division's top spot.

After Week 13, the Cardinals are still in the running for a postseason berth, despite their recent slump.

Let's examine Arizona's position in the NFC playoff race.

Cardinals playoff scenario after going 6-6

The Arizona Cardinals dropped to second place in the NFC West and out of the NFC playoff picture after losing to the Seahawks and the Vikings.

Even though there is still a lot of football left in the regular season, the Cardinals are at risk in Week 14 in terms of their prospects of making the playoffs. A victory over the Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on Sunday would boost their odds, while a defeat would seriously hurt them.

There aren't many games at this stage of the season that have as much of an effect on a team's prospects of making the playoffs as the Cardinals' Week 14 matchup with Seattle.

It's safe to say that the Cardinals have control of their fate since they still have games against the Seahawks, LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Given how close the NFC postseason battle is, their route to the playoffs will probably come through their division.

If the Cardinals win their next five games and end up with an 11-6 record, they will most likely qualify.

They have a favorable schedule with games against the Seahawks, New England Patriots, 49ers, Rams and Carolina Panthers remaining, so they won't play a team with a winning record after Week 14. Arizona must quickly return to its winning ways to maintain control of its postseason trajectory.

Arizona Cardinals' playoff scenario explored

Sportskeeda's Playoff Predictor projects the Arizona Cardinals missing the playoffs despite their relatively easy schedule. The tool projects that the team, which is 6-6, will only win two of its final five games and finish with an 8-9 record.

Sportkeeda's Playoff Predictor

According to this prediction, the Cardinals will finish third in the NFC West behind the Seattle Seahawks and LA Rams.

Sportkeeda's Playoff Predictor

Given the status of the NFC postseason picture, Arizona would most likely have to win four of its next five contests to have a solid chance of making it to the playoffs.