Last week of NFL Playoff Scenarios

With only one week left in the NFL season, it would be a good idea to see how the playoffs are shaking out and what has to happen for teams to be in (or out).

AFC (Current)
Div. Champs: Patriots (12-3), Ravens (11-4), Texans (10-5), Broncos (8-7)
Wild Cards: Steelers (11-4), Bengals (9-6)

So far, the only things that have been locked down are that the Texans will be the No. 3 seed, the Patriots will have a first-round bye, the Ravens and Steelers have clinched playoff berths, and the other first-round bye will go to the winner of the AFC North.

Let's go through everything that's on the line:

No. 1 seed
New England earns the top seed with a win against Buffalo, but if they lose, a win by either (or both) Baltimore or Pittsburgh moves the Pats to second.

AFC North
Baltimore clinches the division and a bye with a win, which would put Pittsburgh as the No. 5 seed. If the Ravens lose to Cincinnati, however, they and Pittsburgh switch (as long as the Steelers beat Cleveland).

AFC West
Denver clinches by beating Kansas City. If they lose, Oakland must beat San Diego to take the division.

No. 6 seed (WC)
Cincinnati gets in by winning at home against Baltimore. If they lose, they can still get in if the Jets lose, and Oakland either loses or wins the AFC West.

Oakland takes the spot with a win (coupled with Denver taking the AFC West), and Cincinnati losing. Additionally, Tennessee must either lose to Houston (which would destroy the only three-way tiebreaker they would lose) OR win alongside a Jets win (giving them the berth on a four-way tiebreaker).

The Titans can make the playoffs by beating Houston coupled with a Bengals loss. Additionally, they need either the Jets to win OR Oakland to win, but both cannot win unless Oakland takes the AFC West.

Finally, the Jets get in with a win against Miami coupled with a Cincy loss, a Tennessee loss and an Oakland loss. (Oakland can win, but they must win the AFC West.)

Confused? Not surprising. Lucky for you, the NFC is MUCH easier.

NFC
Div. Champs: Packers (14-1), 49ers (12-3), Saints (12-3), Giants (8-7)
Wild Cards: Lions (10-5), Falcons (9-6)

Green Bay has already locked up the No. 1 seed. The NFC South and West are both decided (Saints and 49ers, respectively). The NFC East Champion is guaranteed the No. 4 seed. Finally, both Wild Cards have clinched playoff berths.

NFC East:
The Giants and Cowboys will play in New Jersey on Sunday night. The winner will win the division, and the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention.

No. 2 seed and the 1st-rd. bye that goes with it
San Francisco gets the seed by beating St. Louis on Sunday. If they lose, New Orleans can take it, but only if they can beat Carolina.

No. 5 seed (higher WC spot)
Detroit takes the 5-seed with a win over a resting Packers squad, but if they lose in Green Bay, Atlanta can move up with a win over Tampa Bay.