As we enter the final week of the season, almost all of the playoff spots are locked up. A few remain open, but even in those situations, the outstanding teams don't face tough tests in their last game. The only real battle left on the schedule is in football's worst division, where the Rams will attempt to take the NFC West with a win in Seattle.
Here's the breakdown as it currently stands:
NFC:
Current Division Leaders:
Atlanta Falcons (12-3) - New Orleans loss was tough, but pretty easy marching orders for Atlanta: beat Carolina at home and get home field throughout the playoffs.
Remaining games: v. Carolina
Prediction: 13-3, NFC South winner, home field advantage throughout NFC playoffs.
Chicago Bears (11-4) - The first round bye is already clinched and they need everyone else to lose to get the top seed. It's not going to happen. They'll half ass it against Green Bay in anticipation of the playoffs.
Remaining games: @Green Bay
Prediction: 11-5, NFC North winner, first round bye
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) - Home loss to Minnesota killed their bye hopes. Now locked into the three seed.
Remaining games: v. Dallas
Prediction: 11-5, NFC East winner
St. Louis Rams (7-8) - A road win away from taking their team to the playoffs after having the number one pick the previous year. Clipboard Jesus Whitehurst stands in the way.
Remaining games: @Seattle
Prediction: 7-9, out of playoffs (lose in-division tiebreaker to Seahawks)
Current Wild Cards:
New Orleans Saints (11-4) - Probably not going to get the Atlanta loss they need to get home field, but their playoff berth is clinched.
Remaining games: v. Tampa Bay
Prediction: 12-4, wild card
Green Bay Packers (9-6) - The Bears would ordinarily be a somewhat tough game, but I doubt they really bring their A-game since they have nothing to play for, even against a division rival.
Remaining games: v. Chicago
Prediction: 10-6, wild card (win head-to-head tiebreaker with Giants)
In the hunt:
New York Giants (9-6) - Nothing they can do but hope the Bears pull a miracle win with their backups. Good luck, boys.
Remaining games: @Washington
Prediction: 10-6, out of playoffs (lose head-to-head tiebreaker with Packers)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6) - Also have to pull for a Chicago win, but also need Washington to beat New York. Not to mention they need to beat New Orleans. Too much for a team that hasn't beaten one over-.500 team.
Remaining games: @New Orleans
Prediction: 9-7, out of playoffs
Seattle Seahawks (6-9) - I have absolutely no reason to believe that they'll be able to beat the Rams except for the fact that they are playing the game in Seattle. Somehow, I think that'll be enough.
Remaining games: v. St. Louis
Prediction: 7-9, NFC West winner (win on in-division tiebreaker over Rams)
Not even math gives them a chance:
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San Francisco 49ers (5-10) - At least Mike Singletary is gone. What a joke.
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Arizona Cardinals (5-10) - Beating the Cowboys is always cool, no matter how meaningless it is.
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Washington Redskins (6-9) - Mike Shanahan's gift to the world was allowing us to watch Rex Grossman start football games again.
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Minnesota Vikings (6-9) - Nice game from Joe Webb. Wouldn't shock me to see Favre pull one last start.
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Dallas Cowboys (5-10) - Rallied on by John Skelton. Exactly how Jerry Jones drew it up.
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Detroit Lions (5-10) - One of the scrappiest squads in football.
- Carolina Panthers (2-13) - Congratulations on the first pick!
AFC:
Current Division Leaders:
New England Patriots (13-2) - Nothing to play for in Week 17. Home field advantage is clinched - they could lose, they could win. Who cares.
Remaining games: v. Miami
Prediction: 14-2, AFC East winner, home field advantage throughout AFC playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) - Just takes a win over the Browns to give them the division and the other first round bye. Should be easily attainable.
Remaining games: @Browns
Prediction: 12-4, AFC North winner, first round bye
Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) - They were consistent where the Chargers were not. That's why the Chiefs are in the playoffs.
Remaining games: v. Oakland
Prediction: 11-5, AFC West winner
Indianapolis Colts (9-6) - Four years ago, Rex Grossman helped hand Peyton Manning his one Super Bowl win. This year, Grossman helped Manning into the playoffs by beating Jacksonville. All Indy needs to do is beat the Titans and Jacksonville is done.
Remaining games: v. Tennessee
Prediction: 10-6, AFC South winner
Current Wild Cards:
New York Jets (10-5) - They've clinched and also have nothing left to play for in Week 17.
Remaining games: v. Buffalo
Prediction: 11-5, wild card
Baltimore Ravens (11-4) - Baltimore could still snake the bye and the division, but it would require Pittsburgh to lose to Cleveland. Not gonna happen.
Remaining games: v. Cincinnati
Prediction: 12-4, wild card
In the hunt:
Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) - If your playoff hopes rest on Kerry Collins mustering some of his old time magic then you're screwed.
Remaining games: @Houston
Prediction: 9-7, out of playoffs
Not even math gives them a chance:
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San Diego Chargers (8-7) - Tremendously disappointing season. Those slow starts will catch up to you.
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Oakland Raiders (7-8) - Could Jason Campbell lead this team to the playoffs in 2011?
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Tennessee Titans (6-9) - Will probably be QB shopping this offseason.
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Miami Dolphins (7-8) - Worst home team in football. A lot to say with Carolina out there.
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Houston Texans (5-10) - Kubiak will begin receiving unemployment checks next Monday.
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Cleveland Browns (5-10) - Nothing interesting left to say.
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Denver Broncos (4-11) - Tim Tebow is the new Jesus.
- Buffalo Bills (4-11) - Tough to watch these guys try to play New England.
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-11) - Palmer lit up the Chargers. Will it be enough to keep his job?