NFL Playoff Scenarios: 4 Teams That Can Improve Standings Most on Sunday

At this point in the season, almost every game has playoff implications.

Whether it is seeding for teams that have great chances of making it, or simply gaining a lead that will be hard to catch down the stretch, many teams are looking to score victories today that can help themselves.

Here are a few teams that could really help themselves today with victories.

1. New York Giants

Eli Manning and the Giants have their first chance at trying to save the NFC East this Sunday night against Dallas.

They'll get two cracks at the division leading Cowboys and will likely need to win both in order to secure a playoff spot as the NFC East champs. 

The Cowboys did the Giants a favor by coughing up an easy win over the Cardinals last week, but the Giants need to take matters into their own hands and win to get in.

2. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders have fallen into a tie for the AFC West by no fault of their own. The Raiders have won three of their last four games, but with Denver charging from behind to take the lead, Oakland is in a precarious position.

If the Raiders could do what others in the NFL have yet to do and beat the Packers, they might save their AFC West hopes and increase their chances of a Wild Card spot as well.

This is a big "if," but with games against Detroit and San Diego still on the slate for Oakland, they may need to steal this game to keep their playoff dreams alive.

3. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are another squad facing long odds against a heavily favored NFC foe in the New Orleans Saints.

With a surprise victory that most experts weren't counting on the Titans getting, Tennessee might put themselves in the same position as the Raiders could with a win. A great Wild Card probability and a fighting chance in their division. 

Matt Hasselbeck has to keep his team on pace and hope for multiple slips by the Texans to keep their New Years Day game relevant.

4. Detroit Lions

A banged-up Minnesota Vikings squad might be the perfect prescription for the reeling Detroit Lions right now. 

Combine that with the fact that the Bears might slip out of playoff contention quickly due to injury and the Lions could gain some much needed traction in the wild-card race with a victory.

Detroit needs to grow up quickly, but if they can find the form that made them so unstoppable early in the season then they are a nightmare playoff matchup for anyone.