NFL Playoff Picture 2016: Updated AFC, NFC Wild Card Bracket Ahead of Week 17

We're just one week away from the end of the NFL regular season, which means the playoffs are right around the corner.  

For the most part, we know what the playoff bracket looks like. The NFC playoff teams are set, but there can still be some changes in seeding. Here's a look at how the playoff bracket stands right now.

At first glance, the AFC playoff picture seems clear-cut, but a lot can happen that can change the fortunes of each team.

For starters, the Indianapolis Colts can still win the AFC South and get a playoff spot. As SportsCenter pointed out, it's quite the long shot. But there's a chance nonetheless.

All the Colts can do is win and hope the rest takes care of itself.

The Denver Broncos knocked off the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football, which gives the Broncos the inside track to the second seed and a first-round bye. But if the Broncos lose and the Bengals win in Week 17, Cincinnati will jump Denver in the standings.

However, if things don't go their way, the Broncos could drop all the way to the sixth seed. The nightmare scenario for the Broncos is a loss and wins by the New York Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs. That would cause a free-fall for the Broncos down the AFC standings.

Speaking of the Jets, they just need a win, and they will be headed to the playoffs. All that stands in their way is former head coach Rex Ryan and the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills can't make the playoffs, but this game should be a hard-fought battle nonetheless. The Bills and Jets are division rivals, so both teams will have incentive to beat the other. The Jets will want to best their former coach to reach the postseason, and the Bills, along with Ryan, would love nothing more than to spoil the season for the Jets and send them back from Orchard Park without a playoff berth.

And did we mention former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is now under center for the Jets? And that the only reason Fitzpatrick got the nod at the beginning of the season in the first place is because former Jet IK Enemkpali, who now plays for the Bills, broke Geno Smith's jaw before the season started?

Yeah, this one is certainly shaping up to be an exciting contest. Considering the way the two teams have been playing lately, the Jets certainly seem to have the advantage. However, you can expect Ryan to be ready to throw the kitchen sink at his former employer to keep the Jets out of the playoffs.

If the Jets lose and the Pittsburgh Steelers win, the Steelers will snag the sixth seed from New York.

Over in the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers will face off in Week 17. The winner gets the NFC North crown and the third seed in the playoffs. The loser drops to either the sixth or fifth seed depending on what happens between the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals.

With the second seed locked up, you would think the Cardinals would consider resting some players to keep them healthy for the playoffs. But as Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic pointed out, that isn't head coach Bruce Arians' plan.

So it looks like the Seahawks will get the Cardinals' best shot—unless of course the game gets out of hand one way or the other. Other than the Seahawks, Packers and Vikings, the rest of the NFC is set. But there's still no shortage of exciting games this weekend, which has to be just what the NFL wanted.