NFL Playoff Picture: 5 Ways Sunday Could Shake Everything Up

The NFL playoff picture could really get messy if these five scenarios were to take place in Week 13:

If the Bengals Beat the Steelers

At 7-4, the Bengals sit behind both the Steelers and Ravens in the AFC North. They currently hold the AFC's final wild-card spot. A win in Pittsburgh would vault the Bengals over the Steelers based on division record, and if that got coupled with a Ravens' loss to the Browns, the Bengals could find themselves in a position to win the AFC North with a win over the Ravens in their second matchup. 

If the Chiefs Beat the Bears

The Bears are currently holding onto the NFC's top wild-card slot, but that could all change with a loss at home to the Chiefs on Sunday. That scenario would give the Lions a chance to take control of the spot with a win in New Orleans, and a Giants win over the Packers would creep the Bears into a tie (Chicago owns that tiebreaker based on conference record). 

If the Lions Beat the Saints

A Lions win over the Saints would be have a giant impact for two reasons. The first we already mentioned, as the Lions would potentially overtake the Bears if they fell against Kansas City. They could also leapfrog the Falcons if they lost in Houston. But a Saints' loss would also change up the NFC South, especially if the Falcons beat the Texans on Sunday. Atlanta would take control of their own destiny in the division. 

If the Giants Beat the Packers

A Packers' loss is inconsequential really, as they hold a two-game lead over the 49ers for home-field advantage in the NFC. The real impact here would come in the NFC East, as the Giants would rebound from a three-game losing streak in time to catch the Cowboys, who play in Arizona. A Giants' win would set up an interesting final four games out east.

If the Falcons Beat the Texans

Again, there's a couple of reasons why a Falcons' win could be huge here. At the very least, they'd keep pace with the Saints at one game back in the NFC South, but they'd also put the Texans' 2011 season into some doubt. A Texans' loss, coupled with a Titans' win against Buffalo, would really tighten up the race in the AFC South.