We’re one Sunday away from the regular finish line and the race for the final NFL playoff spots remains tight.
Still not claimed in the NFC: the number 1, the Ostmeister and two wildcard berths.
Still not claimed in the AFC: the southern champion and all three wildcard berths.
Here’s a look at the playoff field and who needs what to be in the tournament for the Lombardi Trophy:
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs (14-1): The defending Super Bowl champion will be number 1 for the second time in three postseason. The Chiefs are the only AFC team to say goodbye in Round 1. Head coach Andy Reid has the opportunity to rest his key starters in the regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Buffalo Bills (12-3): The Bills are east champions and will host a playoff game for the first time since 1995. As number 2, Buffalo would face the last team to make the playoffs. You can take second place with a win against Miami on Sunday or a Pittsburgh loss to Cleveland.
Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3): The Steelers are Northern Champions and will host a playoff game in Round 1. You will either be number 2 or number 3 in the AFC. If they finish in second place, they will pick up the last team to come into the postseason. You can secure the higher seed with a week 17 win against Cleveland and a Buffalo loss to Miami.
Tennessee Titans (10-5): The Titans end the regular season against the Texans. To win the south and get to number 4, they have to: lose or lose Indianapolis to Jacksonville or tie Miami and tie the Colts too.
The Titans can also secure a playoff spot with: a loss of the Ravens to the Bengals or a loss of the Dolphins to the Bills.
The other playoff clinch scenarios for Tennessee include these tie combinations: Titans Draw + Brown’s Loss; Dragging titans + dragging dolphins; Drag titans + drag ravens.
Miami Dolphins (10-5): The Dolphins can secure a place in the playoffs with a win on Sunday against East Master Bills.
The story goes on
You can also get in if one of these teams loses: Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Cleveland.
The four draw scenarios that also bring the Dolphins into the postseason: Miami + Baltimore draws; Miami + Cleveland moves; Miami + Indianapolis pulls; and Miami draw + a loss in Tennessee.
Baltimore Ravens (10-5): Last season’s # 1 AFC seed can secure a spot on the wildcard on Sunday with a win over Cincinnati.
The Ravens can also get in if one of these teams loses on Sunday: Cleveland or Indianapolis.
The four tie scenarios the Ravens get into are: tie in Baltimore + loss in Miami; Tie in Baltimore + loss in Tennessee; Baltimore + Cleveland moves; and Baltimore + Indianapolis draws.
Cleveland Browns (10-5): The post-season drought, which has persisted since a wildcard game in 2003, ends for the Browns with a win over the Northern Steelers on Sunday.
You can also win by losing to Jacksonville in Indianapolis.
A more complicated clinch scenario: Tennessee loss + Miami win / tie + Baltimore win or tie.
The Browns also have five clinch scenarios that include a tie: Cleveland Draw + Baltimore Loss; Cleveland Draw + Miami Loss; Cleveland Draw + Tennessee Loss; Cleveland + Indianapolis moves; and Cleveland draw + Tennessee draw + Baltimore win + Miami win.
Indianapolis Colts (10-5): You look inside out, but the Colts can still win the South if they defeat Jacksonville and Tennessee Houston loses or ties.
Indy’s three wildcard clinch scenarios are: Colts Win + Ravens Loss / Tie; Colts win + Brown’s loss / tie; Colts win + Dolphins loss / tie.
The Colts also have three wildcard clinch scenarios with a tie: tie in Indianapolis + loss in Baltimore; Tie in Indianapolis + loss in Cleveland; and Indianapolis draw + Miami loss.
Can the Cowboys overtake Washington for an unlikely NFC East title? (AP Photo / Roger Steinman)
NFC
Green Bay Packers (12-3): The Packers have won North and will play for NFC number 1 on Sunday as Aaron Rodgers returns to MVP form. One win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday and they secure the only meeting of the conference in the first round. You can also win with a loss to the Seattle Seahawks or a tie with the San Francisco 49ers. A defeat results in their being relegated in the first round.
New Orleans Saints (11-4): The Saints have won the South and compete against the Carolina Panthers as seed # 2 in week 17 and still live for seed # 1. Thanks to a victory in week 3 against the Saints, the Packers hold the Head-to-head tiebreaker. But the Saints would hold the three-way tiebreaker and win number 1 if: Saints win + Packers lose + Seahawks win.
Seattle Seahawks (11-4): The Seattle Seahawks have won the NFC West title and stay alive with their matchup against the 49ers in week 17 for the NFC number 1. You would secure the reunion in the first round with: Seahawks win + Packers loss + Saints loss or tie.
Tampa Bay privateers (10-5): The Bucs have secured a placeholder and cannot catch the Saints for the southern title. You will face the Atlanta Falcons as number 5 in week 17, which would mean a street game in the first round against the yet to be determined NFC East champion.
Washington soccer team (6-9): Washington takes on the Philadelphia Eagles, who hold the inner title for the Eastern title and number 4. It makes the playoffs: Washington win; or Washington Tie + Cowboys Loss or Tie.
Los Angeles Rams (9-6): The Rams can’t win the West, but they have multiple avenues to a wildcard berth with a week 17 game against the Arizona Cardinals. You’re in: Rams win; or Chicago Bears loss or tie.
Chicago Bears (8-7): After losing six games in the mid-season, the Bears are in control of their playoff path with a week 17 matchup against Green Bay. The bears will win a wildcard berth with: bears win; or loss of cardinal; or bears tie + cardinals tie.
Cardinals of Arizona (8-7): The Cardinals are technically outward, but thanks to a matchup in week 17 with the Rams they keep control of their playoff path. You will secure your place in the playoffs with: win Cardinals; or tie cardinals + bear loss.
Dallas Cowboys (6-9): After the Cowboys were largely written off as playoff contenders, they will compete in week 17 as one of three teams still fighting for the Eastern title. You will need some help. The cowboys win the division with: cowboys win + Washington lose or tie; or Dallas draw plus Washington loss.
New York Giants (5-10): Like the Cowboys, the Giants still have a shot to the east thanks to their direct tiebreaker with Washington. You have a way to division and postseason: Giants win + Washington lose.
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