NFL Standings 2014-15: Updated Playoff Scenarios, Picture and Team Records

Knowing which teams would make the January pilgrimage wasn't the problem. Ten of 12 playoff teams were decided heading into Week 17, and an 11th was due to be decided by a head-to-head clash in Atlanta for the NFC South title.

Nearly everything else, though, was left up in the air.

First-round byes in both conferences, home-field advantage and seeding implications were prevalent across the schedule. The New England Patriots wrapped up the AFC's top seed last week when Denver fell to Cincinnati and acted accordingly Sunday, but every other seed was left to be determined. The Broncos could wrap up the No. 2 seed with a win over Oakland, the Bengals could land a bye of their own with a Denver loss and Colts still had a convoluted shot at the No. 3 seed if things broke their way.

In the NFC, everything was up for grabs. Dallas, Seattle, Green Bay, Detroit and Arizona all came into the weekend with a realistic shot at a first-round bye. The Packers and Lions went head-to-head for an NFC North championship, a game that carried massive implications on both sides. A win came not only with a division title but also with a first-round bye. A loss meant heading on the road next weekend, possibly even dropping down to the No. 6 seed, depending on Arizona's status.

With so many things left to be figured out, Sunday's games were bound to raise blood pressure. Let's take a look at how the playoff picture has played out.

Ravens Land Final AFC Wild-Card Spot

Gail Burton/Associated Press

The San Diego Chargers had a simple edict: Beat the Chiefs, make the playoffs. They just couldn't get the job done. Chase Daniel threw for 157 yards in place of an injured Alex Smith, and Cairo Santos hit four field goals, as the Chiefs earned a 19-7 win over their division rival.

Philip Rivers struggled for long stretches of the game, as the Kansas City pass rush brought him down seven times. NFL sacks leader Justin Houston accounted for four of those bring downs, giving him the 10th season of 20-plus sacks in league history. Houston is the first since J.J. Watt in 2012 to pull off the feat. (Watt hit the mark later Sunday, making him the only player in history with two 20-sack seasons.)

The Chiefs' win opened the door for the Ravens, who needed a San Diego loss and a win to sneak into the sixth seed. With the Browns forced to start third-string quarterback Connor Shaw due to injuries and their top receiver, Josh Gordon, suspended, it on the surface looked like an easy proposition.

It proved to be anything but. The Baltimore offense sputtered, and its defense struggled to stop Terrance West on the ground, giving Cleveland a chance to win the game. Heading into the fourth quarter, they were down, 10-3, and looking like a team that had laid an egg in two straight potential playoff-clinching wins.

The Ravens' final 15 minutes saved their season. Joe Flacco and the Baltimore offense came to life at the perfect time, scoring the game's final 17 points in a 20-10 victory. Flacco, who struggled mightily early on, finished with 310 yards and two touchdowns. Steve Smith capped off his renaissance campaign with an eight-catch, 90-yard performance that put him over 1,000 yards.

While it's possible the Ravens and Steelers finish with identical 10-6 records, Pittsburgh would win the tiebreaker thanks to its better record against the conference and division. The Ravens will then hit the road to face the No. 3 seed in the AFC, very likely one of their two playoff-bound division rivals (Cincinnati, Pittsburgh).

Panthers Win Fourth Straight, Take NFC South

John Bazemore/Associated Press

A month ago, the Panthers were 3-8-1 and everyone was certain Ron Rivera was headed out of town. Four December wins later and they're division champions for the second straight season. Carolina went into the Georgia Dome and defeated the Falcons, 34-3, on Sunday in an all-out thrashing of its division rival.

The Panthers scored on their opening drive and never relinquished the lead, following a blueprint similar to their playoff run in 2013. Their defense, maligned earlier this season, returned two Matt Ryan interceptions for touchdowns and Cam Newton was forced to throw only 16 times. Newton was one of four Panthers with at least 40 rushing yards, helping them to a 194-yard total.

Despite their poor record, the Panthers will host fifth-seeded Arizona next week. The Cardinals have dropped four of their last six games since a 9-1 start, including losses in their final two contests. Injuries to starter Carson Palmer and backup Drew Stanton have forced them into putting Ryan Lindley under center, which has gone about as well as one would expect.

Carolina has gone from potential top-five selection to division champion within a month. Given the state of the Cardinals' roster, it's possible they ascend to postseason favorites.

It just goes to show you nothing is ever decided until the season's over in the NFL.

Packers Take Down Lions, Win NFC North

Tom Lynn/Associated Press

It's been more than two decades since the Lions defeated the Packers at Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers did his best to help extend that to three. Rodgers accounted for three touchdowns despite an injured calf costing him a couple drives and leaving him obviously hobbled.

The MVP candidate went down on a four-yard touchdown pass to Randall Cobb without contact, leaving some to fear the worst. He was taken off the field on a cart before halftime and did not return to the field until midway through the third quarter. By the time he returned, the Lions had erased a two-touchdown deficit and appeared to be taking control.

By the time the clock struck zero, the Packers had earned an emphatic 30-20 victory. Green Bay's win clinched its fourth straight division championship. Rodgers has led the Packers to the playoff in six of his seven seasons as a starter.

While there will be concern about Rodgers' calf in the coming days, he'll get a week to rest his body. The Packers are the No. 2 seed in the NFC because of their better record in conference games, besting the Cowboys by one game.

The Lions, meanwhile, go from a first-round bye all the way to a No. 6 seed. Detroit travels to a red-hot Dallas team that's scored at least 38 points in four straight games, all wins in which they've led by at least three touchdowns. Not exactly the best consolation prize. 

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter