NFL Playoff Picture: How Week 17 Will Define Peyton Manning, Eli Manning

The NFL playoff picture is starting to clear up a bit following a weekend in which five teams clinched playoff spots and one team gained home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

But, there are two teams with their playoff futures left to be decided—the Indianapolis Colts and the New York Giants. And it’s all up to their respective quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.

Leading into the final week of the season, this is what’s at stake for the Manning brothers:

For Peyton Manning and the Colts it’s a simple scenario: win and you’re in.

If the Colts can take down a visiting Tennessee on Sunday they’ll win the AFC South championship and likely be the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Of course, the Colts would also get in if Jacksonville loses at Houston.

While both scenarios could indeed happen, I find it hard to imagine a big game in which Manning doesn’t step up. After a tough season with questions raised about the quarterback’s demise, expect Manning to lead the Colts to the playoffs.

Eli Manning and the New York Giants are left to fight, hope and pray for one of the NFC’s Wild Card spots. Coming off two straight devastating losses, the Giants need a turnaround and they need one quickly, but the Giants' fate will surely rest in the hands of Eli Manning.

The Giants will be contending with the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the conference’s two Wild Card spots. With one of them all but guaranteed to either the Saints or Falcons, the Giants’ Week 17 tilt with Washington is naturally a must win.