NFL Playoff Scenarios: Which Teams Can't Afford To Rest Their Starters?

NFL playoff scenarios are plentiful entering today's slate of games.

Right now, only Atlanta, Chicago, New England and Pittsburgh have clinched playoff spots. Seven of eight divisions are yet to be decided, and two teams—Indianapolis and Jacksonville—are tied for first in the AFC South with two weeks remaining.

If the playoffs were to begin today, AFC Wild Card games would have the New York Jets and Kansas City playing, along with Baltimore facing Indianapolis. New England and Pittsburgh would get byes. In the NFC, the Giants and Eagles would face off for the third time, while the Saints and Rams play. Atlanta and Chicago would get byes.

There is still plenty to be decided, and some teams can't relax. Here are those who can't rest their starters:

1. St. Louis Rams (6-8)

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams passes against the Kansas City Chiefs 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)

Games remaining: vs. San Francisco, at Seattle

The Rams are atop the NFC West, but can't let up, with Seattle (6-8) lurking right behind. St. Louis already defeated the Seahawks 20-3, and lost to the 49ers, 23-20 in overtime. Seattle plays at Tampa Bay (8-6), one of two other teams in the playoff hunt.

Prediction: The Rams win out and continue to lay the foundation for a bright future. Sam Bradford should win Rookie of the Year honors, but St. Louis is still a few years off from reaching contender status.

2. New Orleans Saints (10-4)

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 19: Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball 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 by Larry French/Getty Imag

Games remaining: at Atlanta, vs. Tampa Bay

There's plenty on the line today when the Saints face the Falcons. Atlanta (12-2) won the first meeting 27-24 in overtime on Sept.26. A division title is still up for grabs, and New Orleans could spoil Atlanta's shot at homefield advantage in the NFC. A loss today plus a Tampa Bay win, and next week's finale will potentially be for the final NFC Wild Card spot.

Prediction: New Orleans goes 1-1, and grabs the final playoff spot.

3. New York Giants (9-5)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giantscalls the huddle against the Philadelphia Eagles during their game on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Ima

Games remaining: at Green Bay, at Washington

At one time, New York looked like one of the best teams in the NFL, but have lost to Dallas and lost both meetings to Philadelphia. Today's game with the Packers had the makings of a big game months ago, and could gain even greater significance with the possibility of Tom Coughlin coaching for his job. 

Prediction: 0-2. The Packers jump into their spot, and grab the other Wild Card spot.

4. Green Bay Packers (8-6)

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers leaves the field at halftime after leaving the game with a concussion while playing the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/

Games remaining: vs. New York Giants, vs. Chicago

The Packers can't catch Chicago, which has clinched the division. On top of fighting for its playoff lives, Green Bay has extra pressure to face, since Tampa Bay (8-6) is also right there with them. Today is a must-win, and Green Bay should have quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who sat out last week with a concussion. He practiced Thursday and Friday and is probable for today.

Prediction: 2-0. Green Bay snaps out of its recent skid and lands the final Wild Card berth in the NFC. The Packers have shocking losses (Washington, Detroit) but wins over Philadelphia and the New York Jets prove they can play with the NFL's best.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Defensive end Alex Magee #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers closes in on quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Ima

Games remaining: vs. Seattle, at New Orleans

The Bucs need to win today and could get help with a Falcons win over New Orleans. They could also be helped with a Giants win over Green Bay (8-6). Tampa Bay's record is misleading: Only two of their losses this year have been blowouts.

Prediction: 1-1. This team has a bright future ahead of it, but will miss out on the postseason.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)

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ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 19: Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs hauls in a pass against Ronald Bartell #24 of 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

Games remaining: vs. Tennessee, vs. Oakland

The Chiefs sit atop the AFC West, but can't exhale just yet, with San Diego (8-6) lurking. The two teams split their games, but Kansas City has some extra security with its 42-20 win over Jacksonville on Oct.24. The Jaguars (8-6) are also in the playoff hunt.

Prediction: 2-0. The Chiefs will have no problem with the Titans, but then pull out a tough win over an improved Raiders team.

7. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Austin Collie #17 of the Indianapolis Colts scores his second touchdown of the game as he celebrates with Pat McAfee #1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (

Games remaining: at Oakland, vs. Tennessee

Jacksonville (8-6) could have clinched the AFC South last week, but the Colts came away with a key 34-24 victory. Both teams have now split and have identical division records (3-2). Pay attention to today's game between Jacksonville and Washington.  The third tiebreaker is best won-loss-tied percentage in common games: Indianapolis has already beat Washington 27-24, and is 3-3 in common games. Jacksonville is 2-3.

Prediction: 2-0. Indianapolis wins out, and gets help with Washington upsetting Jacksonville.

8. 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

Games remaining: at Cleveland, vs. Cincinnati

Baltimore and the New York Jets are in place to win the two Wild Card berths entering today's games. The Ravens did beat the Jets, 10-9 in their season opener. Their last four games have been dogfights, and Baltimore is coming off a big win over New Orleans. The Ravens should have no problem with these last two games.

Prediction: 2-0. Do they have a real shot at knocking off New England? Call your shots now.

9. New York Jets (10-4)

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Santonio Holmes #10 of the New York Jets runs with the ball after catching a pass during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty

Games remaining: at Chicago, vs. Buffalo

The Jets got back on track with a 22-17 win over Pittsburgh last week. This team had Super Bowl aspirations to begin the year, and have shown their potential but have also shown plenty of weaknesses as well. Question is: Which Jets team will show up?

Prediction: 2-0. Let's just see if New York can go a week without some bizarre off-the-field drama.

10. San Diego Chargers (8-6)

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers speaks to his teammates in the huddle during their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Don

Games remaining: at Cincinnati, at Denver

The Chargers need to win out, and could be helped with a loss by either Baltimore or the Jets. San Diego has split against Kansas City, and both have 2-3 division records. The pressure is only greater, since Jacksonville (8-6) is also in the playoff hunt as well.

Prediction: 2-0. Baltimore and the Jets will also win, but San Diego will be left out of the postseason.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars dives against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 34-24. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty I

Games remaining: vs. Washington, at Houston

Jacksonville is 4-2 so far in the second half of the season, and tied with Indianapolis (8-6) in the AFC South. The Jaguars already beat Houston, 31-24, but lost to San Diego (8-6) in Week 2, 38-13. None of that will really matter, though, if Jacksonville loses to Washington today.

Prediction: 1-1. Jacksonville will miss out on the playoffs.