NFL Playoff Picture: New York Jets and Teams Desperate for a Win

The NFL playoff picture is almost figured out, but there are a few questions lingering that need to be answered.

While many teams are either locked into the playoffs or mathematically eliminated, there are still a few teams fighting for home-field advantage and even playoff berths.

All of the following teams are in must-win mode, but they all can’t win. In what could be the wildest day of the whole regular season, you can’t miss a second of the action.

New York Jets

The New York Jets have no chance of making the playoffs if they don’t win their game this week against the Miami Dolphins, but it will take even more than that.

Not only do the Jets have to win on Sunday, they have to hope that the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals lose their games so they can sneak in the backdoor like the dogs they are.

If the Jets make it into the show, though, they will be one of the favorites to make an extended run because of their team makeup and their previous experience.

Cincinnati Bengals

While the Cincinnati Bengals had a wonderful season considering the upheaval surrounding the team, they need to beat the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Not only will a win secure a playoff berth as a wild card, it would show the NFL that the Bengals are hot going into the playoffs and that they can beat the cream of the crop.

Cincinnati struggled against quality teams this season, but a last-week victory over the Ravens would send a message to the AFC that the Bengals should not be taken lightly.

New York Giants/Dallas Cowboys

There is no bigger game on the docket this week than the epic battle for NFC East supremacy between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys.

The winner of this game takes the division crown and moves on to host the first week of the playoffs. The loser goes home empty-handed.

There is no better way for a season to end than by watching two teams playing for their playoff lives. While this will be draining emotionally for the winner, it is the kind of momentum-builder than can carry a team to the Super Bowl. Ask Green Bay.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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