10 NFL Games That Will Determine the Fate of the NFL Playoff Seeding

Perhaps never before in the history of the National Football League has there been such a wide-open competition for the NFL postseason. Through Week 9, a record 11 teams in the AFC have a record above .500, while six teams in the NFC are above .500.

Oh, and the division-leading New Orleans Saints are at 4-4. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers can never be counted out, despite their slow start (4-4) to this season. 

That adds up to 19 teams that are realistically in playoff contention. That's simply unfathomable for the midway point of a season. 

No division is wrapped up—not even the AFC East, where the Patriots usually have a three-game lead in the division by this point. The second half of the season will be fascinating. Below, I take a look at 10 games that will determine the seeding in the NFL postseason. 

Week 11: Philadelphia (6-2) at Green Bay (5-3)

Despite losing quarterback Nick Foles, right guard Todd Herremans and inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans to season-ending injuries, the Eagles should be right in the thick of the NFC East for the rest of the season. Chip Kelly has proved that he—not any one player—is the most valuable part of the Eagles. Even with Mark Sanchez operating the offense, the Eagles should still be able to rack up 25 to 30 points per game. 

For Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, it's not a stretch to believe that they haven't hit their peak yet. Rodgers is in the midst of his usually dominant season, but the Packers are on track for just 10 victories and trail the Detroit Lions by a game in the competitive NFC North. Their home matchup with the Eagles could determine seeding anywhere from a bye in the playoffs to the top Wild Card spot. 

Week 11: Detroit (6-2) at Arizona (7-1)

One of the most surprising units in the NFL this season has been the Lions' defense, led by coordinator Meryl Austin. The Lions have surrendered just 126 points in eight games and are the top-scoring defense in the NFL. Even with injuries to key players (notably Calvin Johnson), Jim Caldwell has kept his crew atop the NFC North. 

The Lions' game against the Arizona Cardinals could easily determine the top overall seed in the NFC. The Cardinals, despite their 7-1 record, still have their fair share of doubters across the league. Though if they keep winning, they'll be in prime position to lock up the No. 1 seed, where they'll look to be the first team to secure home-field advantage in the Super Bowl. 

Week 11: New England (7-2) at Indianapolis (6-3)

It's no longer Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, but this is still a battle of two top-five quarterbacks. Brady has the Patriots cruising right now, as they've won six in a row (the longest-winning streak in the National Football League). He's the most dominant quarterback in the game, and he'd probably be the front-runner for MVP if the season ended right now. The Patriots' victory against Denver was monstrous for playoff seeding, and if they win at Indianapolis, expect them to eventually lock up the top overall seed. 

Andrew Luck, on pace to break the single-season record for passing yards, has the Colts at 6-3 with the most potent offense in the league. They're a long shot to secure the top seed, but a win at New England could clinch them a bye in the postseason. 

Week 13: Seattle (5-3) at San Francisco (4-4)

Is it fair to say that the loser of this game will miss the postseason? Probably not—but they'll definitely have an uphill battle. The Seattle Seahawks just aren't the same team they were last year, as they've won just five of eight games and could easily miss the postseason a year after winning the Super Bowl by 35 points. 

The San Francisco 49ers have been decimated by injuries and drama, and they're likely going to need to win at least six of their final eight games to have any sort of a chance at the postseason. Forget about winning the division. Their best bet is to sneak into the playoffs by virtue of a Wild Card spot. Games like this one on Thanksgiving night are absolute must-wins. 

Week 13: Denver (6-2) at Kansas City (5-3)

Not quite as dominant as they were last season, the Denver Broncos are winning with a significantly worse offense (but a much-improved defense). Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning, and the 38-year-old could easily win his sixth regular-season MVP. But the running game is atrocious and the Broncos' loss to the Patriots could end up costing them the top overall spot in the AFC playoffs. 

Andy Reid's Chiefs are right in the middle of the playoff race, having won four of five games after a slow start to the season. Alex Smith is playing quality football and the defense is still one of the best in the game. If Reid can lead the Chiefs to a victory, Kansas City has a decent chance at holding off Denver for the division title. 

Week 15: Dallas (6-3) at Philadelphia (6-2)

By this point, we'll have a clear picture of how Tony Romo is dealing with his back injury—that is, if he can play through the injury. If not, and Brandon Weeden is forced to make multiple starts, the Dallas Cowboys could be in serious trouble. Their season may be derailing right now, as they've lost two in a row after a league-best 6-1 start. 

The Eagles will also have to survive with their backup quarterback, as Mark Sanchez will be making his sixth start by this point. Barring a collapse, the Eagles will still be in the middle of the playoff hunt. The winner of this game could have the edge in clinching both the NFC East and a bye in the first round of the postseason. 

Week 17: Detroit (6-2) at Green Bay (5-3)

This could be the biggest game for the Detroit Lions since...the 1957 NFL championship? That's a slight exaggeration, but their season finale in Green Bay will likely determine the winner of the NFC North. The Lions haven't reached the postseason since 2011, and they've never won the division in the Matthew Stafford era. 

The Packers, despite a 5-3 record, should be able to at least qualify for a Wild Card spot, even if they lose the season finale to the Lions. This could be the second straight season where Rodgers and company clinch the division title in the season finale. 

Week 17: San Diego (5-4) at Kansas City (5-3)

Arguably the second- or third-best team in the league after the season's first six games, the San Diego Chargers are in the middle of a collapse right now. They've lost three straight, the most recent being a brutal 37-0 stomping at the hands of the Miami Dolphins. They'll likely find a way to turn their season around, but the season finale against the Chiefs will likely be for the final Wild Card berth. 

You could argue that Andy Reid doesn't receive enough respect for the way he's turned around the Kansas City Chiefs (like he did with Philadelphia 15 years ago). If he can lead the Chiefs to 10 wins, they should be able to secure a Wild Card berth for the second straight season. 

Week 17: Cincinnati (5-3-1) at Pittsburgh (6-3)

Though they were the best team in the NFL after the season's first three games, the Cincinnati Bengals have won just two of their last six games. Their brutal loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football will put serious doubts on their playoff hopes. They could still win the division title, or they could earn a Wild Card spot, but it's going to come down to which teams they beat in the next seven weeks. 

The hottest team in the league over the past few weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are in the driver's seat for their first AFC North title since the 2011 season. Ben Roethlisberger has thrown an insane 12 touchdown passes over the last two games. For the Steelers, two games against the Bengals in the final month will determine their playoff fate. 

Week 17: Arizona (7-1) at San Francisco (4-4)

It's fascinating to look at the schedule now and think that it's going to be the Arizona Cardinals looking to secure the top overall seed in the NFC. Despite their 10 wins in 2013, not many viewed Bruce Arians' club as a legitimate contender heading into 2014. But the Cardinals just keep winning (and keeping a division rival out of the postseason in Week 17 would be a great way to end the season). 

It's also fascinating to look at the schedule and realize that it's the San Francisco 49ers who will likely need to win a season finale against the NFL's top team to have any chance at a Wild Card spot. The 49ers were decimated by injuries early in the season and could be a completely different team when NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith (suspension) return. If they make the playoffs, they could make some noise.