NFL Playoff Scenarios: Breaking Down Each NFC Team's Playoff Possibilities

Heading into Week 17 of the NFL season, the NFC playoff picture is about as clear as the Atlantic Ocean.

The Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears all still remain in the hunt for a playoff berth.

What follows is a team-by-team breakdown of the muddled NFC playoff possibilities.

Washington Redskins

Robert Griffin III and company control their own destiny and can win the NFC East by taking care of business at home against the arch-rival Cowboys.  A loss doesn't mathematically eliminate them, but they'd be in a world of hurt.

If They Win

The Redskins take the NFC East crown at 10-6 and await the arrival of either the Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the playoffs.

If They Lose

They need some help.  To be more precise, they would need the Vikings to fall to the Packers, and the Bears would need to lose against the Lions.  In that case, a 9-7 Redskins team would win both a four-team tiebreaker (with the Giants, Bears and Vikings) or a three-team tiebreaker (with just the Bears and Vikings).

Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo and the Cowboys also control their own destiny, as a win nets them the NFC East title.  A loss however means yet another agonizing finish to a season for the Boys.

If The Win

The NFC Crown is theirs at 9-7 (with a common opponent tiebreaker over the Redskins). They too, would be looking at a home matchup against the 49ers or Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs.

If They Lose

It's hasta la vista to the Boys.

Minnesota Vikings

Miraculously enough, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves in the driver's seat of the NFC wild-card race headed into Week 17.  A win means that Adrian Peterson and the Vikings will be headed into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak.

If They Win

This is quite the big "if", considering the Vikings will have a visit from the Packers on their hands.  However, this team has to be feeling confident about their chances after a road win over the Texans last week.  A win over the Packers earns them a wild card berth.

If They Lose

They find themselves in muddy water.  They would need a Redskins win (and subsequently take the NFC East crown), as well as a Giants loss to the Eagles and a Bears loss to the Lions.  The Vikings would have the tiebreaker over the Bears, but not the Giants.

Chicago Bears

The Bears have outscored their opponents by 96 points this season, but could still find themselves out of the playoffs even if the finish 10-6.

If They Win

They still need some help.  More specifically, a Vikings loss to the Packers would seal the deal.

If They Lose

It will be an early start to the golf season for Jay Cutler and the gang.  They do not own any tiebreaker scenario at 9-7.

New York Giants

The New York Giants have looked nothing like defending Super Bowl Champions during the last two weeks, but they still hold on to a sliver of playoff hope, provided they can topple the Michael Vick-led Eagles.

If They Win

They need a miracle.  And by miracle, I mean a Redskins win over the Cowboys and losses by both the Vikings (vs. Green Bay) and the Bears (@ Detroit).  The Giants would win a wild-card tiebreaker, if it came to a three-way tie at 9-7 with the Vikings and Bears.  Crazier things have happened.

If They Lose

I wouldn't want to be Kevin Gilbride.