NFL Playoff Scenarios: Ranking The 10 Most Important Games of The Weekend

The final weekend of regular season NFL play is still important, and that's nice for a change.

Some teams are still jockeying for a playoff spot, while others are trying to clinch a bye or some degree of home field advantage. 

So which games this weekend are most important to determining the playoff picture?

10. New York Jets Vs. Buffalo

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears brings down Shonn Greene #23 the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Currently, the Jets are matched up to play the Chiefs.

And they want to do everything possible to make sure that remains intact.

Indianapolis or Kansas City? Which would you rather play?

Exactly.

The Jets will be doing some scoreboard watching to try and guarantee a first round match up against Matt Cassel.  

9. Kansas City Vs. Oakland

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

I keep waiting for this Chiefs team to slip up.

At home against the Raiders would be an awful time to do it.

A win guarantees the Chiefs the No. 3 spot, while a loss drops them to No. 4 behind the Colts.

I much rather be playing the Jets than the Ravens.

8. Atlanta Vs. Carolina

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons looks upfield to pass during the first half of the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers have already locked up the No. 1 pick in next year's draft.

Could the Falcons somehow lose to them?

However unlikely, if they do, and the Saints win, the Falcons will lose the division title and a shot at a bye in the first round. 

7. Baltimore Vs. Cincinnati

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CLEVELAND - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens runs against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Joe Flacco and the Ravens still have a shot at winning their division and getting a bye, but it's slim.

The easy part is defeating the Bengals. The hard part is hoping the Browns beat the Steelers.

A win for the Ravens benefits both teams as it will help give the Bengals a better draft spot, and give the Ravens a chance for the division. 

6. Tampa Bay Vs. New Orleans

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Bucs have a tough task ahead of them.

First, they must beat one of the league's best teams, the Saints, on the their home turf.

Assuming the young trio of Josh Freeman, LeGarrette Blount and Mike Williams somehow trump Drew Brees and Co., the battle is still not over.

The Packers and Giants both must drop their games just for the Bucs to have a chance.

Start thinking positive thoughts Bucs fans, a lot needs to happen, but it's not impossible. 

5. New York Giants Vs. Washington Redskins

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Giants need help to make the playoffs this year, and that wasn't how it was supposed to be.

After a late-game collapse against the Eagles, and a crushing by the Packers, the Giants find their playoff hopes slim.

First they must win at Washington, which should be easy considering their poor record and absence of quarterback Donovan McNabb. 

The harder part is the second part. They have to hope that in addition to their win, Green Bay loses at home to Chicago.

It isn't likely, but it could happen. The Giants must take care of their side of things first. 

4. Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. Houston Texans

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars attempts a pass during the game against the Washington Redskins at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Image

The Jaguars have a tough task ahead of them when they travel to Houston on Sunday.

Their quarterback David Garrard has been placed on injured reserve and backup Trent Edwards will start.

The Jaguars must win, and hope for an Indianapolis loss in order to get into the playoffs, a daunting task considering they can only control half the equation. 

Even if they make the playoffs, they likely won't get far without Garrard. 

3. Green Bay Vs. Chicago

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rolls out of the pocket against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Bears have already clinched a playoff spot and a first-round bye, while their divisional opponents the Packers are fighting for the last spot.

If the Packers win at Lambeau, they're in.

Aaron Rodgers looked incredible last week in a dismantling of the Giants, and he may need a similar performance against the Bears to guarantee his team passage into the next round.

The Bears are unlikely to rest their starts and give the Packers a freebie, so the Pack better come ready to play. 

2. Indianapolis Colts Vs. Tennessee Titans

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OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Colts are in an unfamiliar position.

It's the last week of the season, and they still haven't clinched a playoff spot. On Sunday they have an opportunity to get in though by beating the 6-9 Titans while playing in Indianapolis.

Peyton Manning rarely falters in these games, and don't expect him to here.

If somehow the Colts lose, the Jaguars can steal their spot if they win their game.

Also, if the Colts win and the Chiefs lose to Oakland then the Colts would be bumped up to the No. 3 seed, whereas they are currently No. 4.

1. St. Louis Vs. Seattle

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to throw a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Get

This week's Sunday night is a playoff game in Seattle.

The winner of the Rams and Seahawks makes the playoffs, while the other goes home. Doesn't get much better than that.

The Rams feature a good rookie quarterback in Sam Bradford while the Seahawks counter with Matt Hasselbeck, who has five more interceptions than touchdowns this season.

If the Seahawks win, they will make the playoffs despite having a under .500 record. The Rams would be at .500 if they win.

These two teams are downright awful, but hey, at least the ramifications of the game should make it interesting.