NFL Playoff Picture 2011: Division-by-Division Breakdown Heading to Stretch Run

It's hard to believe the NFL playoffs are only a couple weeks away. Once the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers finish Week 15 tonight, there will be just two weekends of games left for playoff hopeful teams to claim a spot in the postseason.

As of right now, there are still 11 teams in both conferences either battling for a berth or better placement in the playoffs. That means only 10 teams have been eliminated with two weeks to go, which is a testament to the league's parity.

So here's a quick run through each division with a look at each team's playoff chances and what could change them over the final few weeks.

AFC East

New England Patriots (11-3): The Patriots have secured a spot in the playoffs and will receive a first-round bye if they win their final two games. Since New England lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they need them to lose one of their final three contests to get the top seed.

New York Jets (8-6): New York is currently holding onto the AFC's final wild card spot after both the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens locked up spots. A tie between the Jets and Cincinnati Bengals would come down to strength of victory, which the Jets are likely to hold. So win out and they should be in.

The Miami Dolphins (5-9) and Buffalo Bills (5-9) have been eliminated.

AFC North

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3): The Steelers would take over the conference's top seed with a win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Then they would just need to win their final two games to secure homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens (10-4): Baltimore currently finds itself as the fifth seed. The Ravens do hold a tiebreaker edge against the Steelers, though. So a Pittsburgh loss coupled with two wins to close out their season would give Baltimore the AFC North.

Cincinnati Bengals (8-6): Since the Bengals trail the Jets in tiebreakers for a wild card spot, they need to win their final two games while also hoping New York loses one of its final two games. The Bengals do have two home games left, but neither one is a gimme.

The Cleveland Browns (4-10) have been eliminated.

AFC South

Houston Texans (10-4): The Texans have already clinched the division and are now aiming for a first-round bye. They knocked off the Steelers, so a tie between those two teams would go to Houston, which has two winnable games remaining.

Tennessee Titans (7-7): Of the three teams at 7-7 in the AFC, Tennessee has the best chance of claiming a wild card spot. They currently have a tiebreaker edge over both the Raiders and Chargers, but need to win out to have a realistic shot to catch the Jets or Bengals.

The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) and Indianapolis Colts (1-13) have been eliminated.

AFC West

Denver Broncos (8-6): Denver currently controls its own destiny in the AFC West, which is the only division without a team mathematically eliminated. If Tim Tebow and Co. can take care of business against the Bills and Chiefs, they're in.

Oakland Raiders (7-7): The Raiders' fade continued with a heartbreaking loss against the Lions, and the Broncos hold a tiebreaker edge. That puts Oakland in serious danger with two weeks left, especially since Darren McFadden continues to sit out.

San Diego Chargers (7-7): San Diego is making its usual late season move, picking up a convincing win over the Ravens on Sunday night. With back-to-back road games to finish the season, it looks like their run will fall short.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-8): As crazy as it sounds, Kansas City might have a more direct route to the playoffs than Oakland or San Diego. If the Chiefs win out, the Chargers lose once and Broncos lose out (including loss to Chiefs), Kansas City is in. It's a long shot, but within the realm of possibility.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys (8-6): Dallas has division games against the Eagles and Giants left, so if they fail to make the playoffs, the only people to blame are themselves. Winning out would guarantee them a spot, but losing on Sunday blows the door wide open.

New York Giants (7-7): Even though the Giants suffered loss to Washington, their fate still rests in their own hands. If they can beat perhaps their two biggest rivals, the Jets and Cowboys, they'll sneak into the playoffs.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-8): Don't look now, but the Eagles are still alive. A win over the Cowboys on Sunday would put them right back into the thick of things, especially if the Giants happen to lose against their New York counterparts. A three-way tie would go to Philadelphia.

The Washington Redskins (5-9) have been eliminated.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (13-1): The Packers will lock up the top seed with a San Francisco 49ers loss or a win in their final two games. In other words, they are going to be the NFC's top team and will force conference foes to beat them at Lambeau Field.

Detroit Lions (9-5): Despite a midseason swoon that almost caused the Lions to blow the NFL's most surprising start, the Lions are now just one win away from clinching a berth. They could get some help in Week 17 if Green Bay decides to rest some starters.

Chicago Bears (7-7): Injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte derailed the Bears' season. They'd need to win out and get some help to make a late charge, and nothing they've shown over the past few weeks make it seem like that's possible.

The Minnesota Vikings (2-12) have been eliminated.

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (11-3): The Saints need one more win or a Falcons loss (the teams play in Week 16) to clinch the division. They would then set their sights on a potential bye, but the 49ers currently have a tiebreaker edge. So the No. 3 seed seems most likely right now.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5): Atlanta is finding a groove at the right time. The Falcons have won four of their last five games and stand just one win away from the playoffs. A home game on New Year's Day should be enough to accomplish that if need be.

The Carolina Panthers (5-9) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) have been eliminated.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers (10-3): The 49ers are hoping to clinch a bye after already taking hold of the NFC West crown. They can reach that goal by winning out, including Monday night's game against the Steelers.

Seattle Seahawks (7-7): Seattle has won three straight games to keep their hopes alive, but need to win two more to have a chance. They do lead the tiebreaker race among teams currently at .500 in the NFC, but have two tough games left.

Arizona Cardinals (7-7): Also streaking are the Cardinals, who have won four straight, including two in overtime. But like Seattle, things would need to break perfectly for them to get a spot. A trip to Cincinnati for an early start could very well be Arizona's last stand.

The St. Louis Rams (2-12) have been eliminated.