Updated NFL Playoff Scenarios: All They Want For Christmas Is a Playoff Berth

The NFL has two weeks left on its regular season schedule and after 14 games, three teams, the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears, have clinched playoff berths. Yes, Christmas came early for them.

The other nine spots are still up for grabs and the playoff seeds are completely up in the air.  So teams need to be on their best behavior for Santa to send them a shot at the Super Bowl.  For example, in the NFC, the 5-9 San Fransisco 49ers are still in the hunt.  In the AFC, the surprising Oakland Raiders still have a shot at 7-7.

What follows is a quick look at the teams in the NFL that can dash through the snow and into the playoffs.

AFC: New England Patriots, 12-2

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates with teammates during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 31-27

If the season ended today, New England would have the No. 1 seed and home-field throughout the playoffs.  Luckily for everyone else, the season doesn't end today.

The Patriots have already clinched a playoff berth, so now it's simply a matter of which spot they finish with.  They can clinch the AFC East crown, a first round bye and home-field throughout with a win in Buffalo this week, or with a Jets loss or tie.

AFC: Pittsburgh Steelers, 11-4

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers laughs on the sideline during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Steelers are the only other team in the AFC with a playoff spot already locked up, and now they can jockey for positioning.  They could finish anywhere from second to sixth.

They can clinch the AFC North, a first-round bye and the No. 2 seed with a week 17 win or a Baltimore loss.

You think Troy Polamalu wishes he were on the field trying to wrap up that bye?

AFC: Kansas City Chiefs, 9-5

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on December 19, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Chiefs beat the Rams 27-13. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Chiefs can clinch the AFC West this week with a win and a Chargers loss.  If San Diego wins this week, the AFC West and the Chiefs fate will be decided by week 17 divisional games for the two teams.

With a surprising single-season turnaround and unlikely shot at a division title under their second-year coach Todd Haley, Matt Cassel and the Chiefs are living up to their moniker of "Patriots-West."

AFC: Indianapolis Colts, 8-6

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

For the Colts, it's fairly simple.

Win their final two games and they win the AFC South. They share the same record as the Jaguars, but would win the tiebreaker based on strength of schedule.

They can't clinch anything with a win this week and a loss wouldn't eliminate them either.  The AFC South will be decided in week 17, when Indy and Jacksonville both face division foes.

AFC: New York Jets, 10-4

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets throws a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Jets can clinch a wild card with a win this week.  They also clinch if Jacksonville and San Diego lose.

They can take the AFC East crown, but that would require back-to-back New England losses, which is about as likely as me not including at least one Rex Ryan foot-related comment.

If the Jets win the East and Pittsburgh maintains their standing atop the NFC North, the Jets will also earn the No. 1 seed, a first round bye and home-field throughout.

AFC: Baltimore Ravens, 10-4

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates the Ravens victory after the game against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Saints 30-24. (Photo

Baltimore can clinch a wild-card with a win against the Browns this week.

They can clinch the AFC North and a first-round bye with two wins and a Pittsburgh loss.

They can clinch the No. 1 seed with two wins, AND two Patriots losses, AND two Jets wins, AND a Pittsburgh loss.

AFC: Jacksonville Jaguars, 8-6

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Mike Sims-Walker #11 of the Jacksonville Jaguars holds up the football after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Jagu

Currently tied with the Colts, the Jaguars can clinch the AFC South with two wins and a Colts loss.

They can also sneak in as a wild card if they win both remaining games and either the Jets or Ravens lose twice AND the Chargers lose.

AFC: San Diego Chargers, 8-6

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

The Chargers can win the AFC West with two wins and a Kansas City loss.  They can also win the West with a win, AND two Kansas City losses AND an Oakland loss to Indy.

They can win a wild-card with two wins AND two Baltimore losses.

From a personal standpoint, I hope San Diego doesn't make it.  Not because I hate the Chargers, but because Rivers is the type of gutsy, fire-in-the-belly quarterback that can be dangerous in the playoffs.

AFC: Oakland Raiders 7-7

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball during their game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Oakland has the slimmest of chances in the AFC. A win against the Colts this week keeps their hopes alive.

As a Patriots fan, I can't help but root against them.  I want a higher draft pick.

By the way, how badly must Raiders fans hate the Patriots?  First the tuck rule, then the Randy Moss heist and now New England has their first round draft pick just in time to potentially thwart a promising rebuilding effort.

NFC: Atlanta Falcons, 12-2

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks downfield against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Atlanta can clinch the whole shebang this week with a win over New Orleans. The No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout are all on the table.

I can't help but think Matty Ice has bigger goals in mind than just playoffs. Atlanta looks like the early favorite from the NFC.

AFC: Tennessee Titans, 6-8

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs against the Houston Texans at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Tennessee needs more than just a Christmas miracle.  They basically need hell to freeze over.

1) They must win their final two games, including a matchup with the Colts.

2) The Colts must lose both of their games, the other being against Oakland.

3) The Jaguars must also lose both of their games to the Texans and Redskins.

1+2+3= AFC South title and a playoff home game.

NFC: Chicago Bears, 10-4

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears calls a defensive play as teammate Lance Briggs #55 moves into position against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated t

Daa Bears are the only team in the NFL that's already clinched their division. If they win out, they've got the No. 2 seed all to themselves.

Winning out is easier said than done though.  With the Jets and Packers both fighting for playoff spots themselves, the Bears are in for two hard-fought games.  If they want that week off, they'll have to earn it.

NFC: Philadelphia Eagles, 10-4

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with team mate Mike McGlynn #77 after throwing his teams first touchdown against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo b

Philly clinches the NFC East with a win. If Chicago loses, they've got a shot at a first round bye as well.

The Eagles have the look of a Super Bowl team right now.  Of all the scenarios that could play out, Brady vs. Vick in the Super Bowl has to be the NFL's wet dream.

NFC: St. Louis Rams, 6-8

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball during the game against the Arizona Cardinals on December 30, 2007 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals won 48-19. (Photo by Stephen D

The Rams need to take care of business within their division.  Currently in first place on a tie-breaker, their last two games against division foes San Fransisco and Seattle will decide their fate.

Sam Bradford would love to pull a Mark Sanchez and make it deep into the playoffs as a rookie quarterback.

NFC: New Orleans Saints, 10-4

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints passes against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens lead the Saints at the half 21-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The reigning Super Bowl Champs need a win this week against the Falcons to keep their division hopes alive, but more importantly, they clinch a wild card with a victory.

So far, Drew Brees has avoided the treacherous Madden curse. Here's hoping his luck holds out, it would be a shame if the reigning champs somehow failed to make the postseason.

NFC: New York Giants, 9-5

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in action against the Philadelphia Eagles 38-31 on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The G-Men's fate rests entirely in their own hands.  A win over the Packers this weekend clinches a playoff spot. They've still got a shot at the NFC East crown, but they need outside help.

Then again, given the Giants' propensity to lose games they have no business losing, would it surprise anyone if they missed the playoffs entirely?

NFC: Green Bay Packers, 8-6

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Mike McCarthy, head coach of the Green Bay Packers, looks on during the third quarter of the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty

The Packers are another team that will need to earn their playoff spot.  A win over the Giants this week would give them the edge in a head-to-head tiebreaker.  A loss would put them on the outside looking in.

If Green Bay can find a way to wriggle into a wild card spot, a healthy Aaron Rodgers makes them as dangerous as any team in the NFC.

NFC: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8-6

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Running back LeGarrette Blount #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers straight-arms safety C.C. Brown #39 of the Detroit Lions during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Im

Tampa Bay crippled their playoff chances last week with a loss to Detroit.  Now they need to win this week to have any hope at all.  If the breaks go their way, they can live to play another day with a New Orleans loss.

Think Raheem Morris will be rooting for the Falcons this week?

NFC: Seattle Seahawks, 6-8

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against the Atlanta Falcons at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Seattle, like the Rams, controls their own fate.  They need to win their match-up in week 17 against St. Louis.

A win this week vs. Tampa Bay will help set them up for their finale.

Seattle could actually be dangerous as a division winner.  A home game for them could present an interesting challenge for a wild-card team like the Saints, Giants or Packers.

NFC: San Fransisco 49ers, 5-9

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers drops back to pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

They need a Christmas miracle to make it in.

A win won't do it.  Two wins won't be enough. They need two wins and outside help to somehow emerge as the least putrid team from the NFC West.