NFL Playoff Picture: 5 Games That Will Decide Playoff Teams

There are only three weeks left in the regular season. Playoff fever is upon us, and several teams are already in playoff mode.

This makes nearly every game important from here on out.

Whether it be for seeding or simply a playoff berth, every game carries weight.

Some more than others though, and those are the must see games the remainder of the way.

Here are the five games that will make the postseason what it is this year.

Cowboys at Giants: Sunday, Jan. 1 (Week 17)

The first game between the Giants and Cowboys went down to the final seconds, had nine lead changes and saw 29 combined points scored in the fourth quarter.

It is safe to say that these two played as close a game as possible, and the G-Men survived after blocking the second field goal attempt when Coach Tom Coughlin iced rookie kicker Dan Bailey.

Their New Year's Day clash will decide the NFC East winner and who gets to host a postseason game in the Wild Card round.

Big Blue versus Big D is one of the better rivalries in recent years, and it is only fitting that they decide who goes to the postseason together on New Year's Day.

Lions at Packers: Sunday, Jan. 1 (Week 17)

We remember what happened the last time this two met on Thanksgiving, and it was ugly.

In Week 17, meeting for in their second holiday game of the year, the Packers will be (likely) going for perfection, and the Lions will need to win to get into the postseason.

Green Bay certainly won't show any mercy, and with the Giants and Cowboys dueling this day as well, there is a chance the loser sneaks in with a Wild Card berth depending on how things shake out.

The Lions need to win out, and that obviously includes this game.

Falcons at Saints: Monday, Dec. 26 (Week 16)

Atlanta might be able to catch the Saints if New Orleans falters in two of final three games. One of those games is this "Monday Night Football" clash with the Falcons.

The Saints are all but in the postseason already, but the Falcons still have work to do.

If something remarkable happens and the Saints drop all three games, the Falcons can win the division. But winning this game regardless of the division should still land them in a wild-card spot.

Another loss could force them on the outside looking in.

Chargers at Lions: Sunday, Dec. 25 (Week 16)

The San Diego Chargers won't earn a Wild Card berth this season and are simply chasing the AFC West title.

But in order to even hope for help, they have win out, and that obviously includes this game against the Lions.

And Detroit has to win out or risk missing the postseason as well. The Lions play the Green Bay Packers in Week 17, and if their previous battle with Green Bay was any indication, then they don't stand much of a chance in winning that game.

Whoever loses here is not going to be playing in the postseason.

Jets at Eagles: Sunday, Dec. 18 (Week 15)

There is basically only one wild-card spot open in the AFC. The Ravens and Steelers are both 10-3 and whoever doesn't win the AFC North (Baltimore swept Pittsburgh this year) will win the five seed.

Thus, the Jets at 8-5, hold a one-game lead on the six seed.

Gang Green has struggled on the road this season, and they take on desperate Giants team on Christmas Eve before traveling to Miami in the season finale.

The Jets cannot leave anything up to chance, and that means they have to win against an underachieving Philadelphia team that just got Michael Vick back.

A win here against the Eagles leaves the Jets' postseason hopes on their own shoulders.