The NFL Playoff Picture Looking Mostly Set

Week 16 isn't over, but it's close to it. With what we now know, most of Week 17 is irrelevant, though there are several games of note that could swing some division titles, and one or two playoff spots.

In the NFC, five teams are in, and where they will be positioned is all that's left to settle. Seattle, with it's win over the Arizona Cardinals, is in control of the NFC West if they win next week. Green Bay and Detroit will play on the field to settle the NFC North. Arizona and the loser of that game would be Wild Cards under this scenario. Dallas is also playoff bound, having won the NFC East. If three division champions finish 12-4 (likely at this point), Seattle has the best conference record, along with Detroit. Dallas is pretty much stuck in third in that tiebreaker. Arizona is likely to get the first Wild Card, if they win their game. The other spot, the NFC South, will be decided on the field in Atlanta, with the Falcons hosting Carolina for that division title. The Eagles were eliminated with this week's loss.

In the AFC, Denver and Cincinnati's game tonight has major playoff implications. Denver can lock up a first round bye with a win, while Cincinnati can clinch a playoff berth with a win. After that's over, we'll move to week 17, where New England clinches home field with a win (if they don't already have it because of a Denver loss tonight). Denver could win home field if they win out and New England loses. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh's game next week will be for the AFC North either way. Indianapolis is in as the AFC South Champions, but can't get a bye now. At the moment, New England, Denver, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh are in the playoffs, while Cincinnati can clinch with a win in either game, or the right teams losing. San Diego, after their wild win Saturday night, is in control of their destiny as well. Baltimore, Houston, and Kansas City remain alive too.

So, next week's games that actually matter are:

• Carolina @ Atlanta- NFC South title on the line.
• Cleveland @ Baltimore- Baltimore has to win to have a shot at the AFC Wild Card.
• Dallas @ Washington- Dallas can still win a first round bye with a win and help.
• Indianapolis @ Tennessee- Indianapolis can finish third or fourth.
• Detroit @ Green Bay- Who wins the NFC North, and possibly a bye or home field.
• Jacksonville @ Houston- Houston remains alive for the playoffs.
• San Diego @ Kansas City- San Diego is in with a win, while Kansas City needs the win and help.
• Buffalo @ New England- New England wins home field with a win.
• Oakland @ Denver- Denver can win home field with two wins and a New England loss.
• Arizona @ San Francisco- Arizona has a shot at the division yet, and can get the top Wild Card with a win and right combination of results.
• St. Louis @ Seattle- Seattle can win the division, a bye, and even home field.
• Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh- The AFC North title is on the line, as could be Cincinnati's playoff hopes.

In other words, most of the schedule has some value.