clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

NFL Playoff Picture: AFC South, NFC West Among Divisions Up For Grabs In Week 17

It's the final week of the 2010 NFL regular season, and while much of the playoff picture is already clear, there are still scenarios and postseason berths up for grabs on Sunday. 

The Patriots have already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed and with the Miami Dolphins already eliminated from contention, their meeting Sunday at 1 p.m. EST isn't too exciting. 

A complete look at the AFC and NFC playoff scenarios heading into Sunday's Week 17 games:

AFC

1. New England Patriots (13-2): Clinched AFC East, first-round bye and home-field advantage in playoffs

2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): Clinched playoff berth. Steelers can clinch AFC North division and a first-round bye with a win; a tie and a Ravens loss or tie; OR a Ravens loss.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-5): Clinched AFC West. KC can clinch the No. 3 seed with a win/tie against the Raiders or a Colts loss/tie. The Chiefs could drop to the No. 4 seed if they lose and the Colts win. 

4. Indianapolis Colts (9-6): The Colts can clinch the AFC South division with a win/tie against the Titans or a Jaguars loss at the Texans. Indy can still become the AFC's No. 3 seed if they win and the Chiefs lose to the Raiders. 

5. Baltimore Ravens (11-4): Already have clinched a playoff berth and can't be worse than the No. 5 seed. The Ravens can can clinch the AFC North, No. 2 seed and a first-round bye with a win against the Bengals coupled with a Steelers loss/tie vs. the Browns.

6. New York Jets (10-5): In the playoffs already. With a win against the Bills Sunday, along with a Ravens win/tie versus the Bengals and a Steelers loss at the Browns, Jets would clinch the No. 5 seed. 

Outside Looking In: Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7): Jaguars need to win and then hope that the Colts lose -- that'd give them the AFC South title and the No. 4 seed. A loss/tie or a Colts win/tie would eliminate Jacksonville. 

NFC

Who's In:

1. Atlanta Falcons (12-3): Having already clinched a playoff berth, the Falcons can clinch the NFC South and a first-round bye with win or a Saints loss. Atlanta can also wrap-up the home-field advantage with a win, or a Saints loss/tie with a Bears loss/tie.

2. Chicago Bears (11-4): Bears clinched playoff berth and at least the No. 2 seed by winning the NFC North. Now they can clinch home-field advantage with a win and losses by the Falcons and Saints.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5): Already locked-up the NFC's No. 3 seed, and will host the No. 6 seed in the first round of the playoffs. 

4. St. Louis Rams (7-8): Win in Seattle Sunday night and they win the NFC West division. 

5. New Orleans Saints (11-4): The Saints clinched a playoff spot already and now can win the NFC South with a win and the Falcons losing to the Carolina Panthers. A more likely scenario: the Saints remain the No. 5 seed and travel to the Rams-Seahawks winner in the Wild Card round.

6. Green Bay Packers (9-6): It's simple for the Packers -- beat the Bears on Sunday and they're in the playoffs. Green Bay can also get into the playoffs with a tie along with a Giants loss/tie and a Buccaneers loss/tie. And if both the Giants and Buccaneers loss. 

Outside Looking In:

New York Giants (9-6): New York needs to win and then hope that the Packers lose, too. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6): Still alive, but need to win at Saints and also hope both the Giants and Packers lose.

Seattle Seahawks (6-9): Wins the NFC West and clinches a playoff berth with a win over the Rams. Simple as that.

Follow @sbnationboston on Twitter, and Like SB Nation Boston on Facebook.