NFL Playoff Picture: Best-Case Scenario for Every Team in the Race

With a hugely entertaining Week 16 almost behind us, it's time to look forward to a manic final week of the season.

A few top-tier teams have locked up their spots, but the bottom half of the wild-card race is sure to be entertaining with nine teams still competing for four spots.

Let's try to make sense of the madness and predict the best-case scenario for each team still in the hunt. The first slide will give a short overview of the teams who are already "in" and then we'll dive in with the rest one by one.

The Pats, Ravens, Texans and Steelers Are in for the AFC

Below is the current playoff seeding for the AFC with a few notes about each team that has already locked up a spot.

AFC

1. New England Patriots: There is no doubt that they can put up points in bundles, but can they get enough stops with their defense in a shootout?

2. Baltimore Ravens: Although they've been a bit of an enigma this year, they are set up nicely to get a first-round bye in the playoffs for the first time in a long time.

3. Houston Texans: After locking up the AFC South three weeks ago, the Texans have dropped two games to bad teams. They're hoping that they can dial it back up once the playoffs begin. It will help that they'll probably have stud receiver Andre Johnson back.

4. Denver Broncos: The Broncos' improbable string of victories after a 1-4 start has come to a screeching halt. Coming off of two losses in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs and Kyle Orton would like nothing more than to spoil their playoff hopes by beating them this coming Sunday.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger needs to be 100 percent for the Steelers to have a chance to make to back to the Super Bowl. Their defense can still be a force.

6. Cincinnati Bengals: This is a young and dangerous team that showed this season that it has the gumption to play good teams toe to toe.

Still in contention

7. Oakland Raiders: These guys are turnover- and penalty-prone and they don't have the look of a team that is quite ready to do much in the playoffs.

8. Tennessee Titans: The Titans are a mediocre team that has overachieved for much of the season. If they get into the playoffs, expect them to exit early.

9. NY Jets: Rex Ryan and his team love to talk. It's too bad that they have such a hard time backing up the talk with good results on the field.

The Pack, 49ers, Saints and Lions Are in for the NFC

Below would be the current NFC positions if the playoffs started today. I've included some short notes about each team.

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers: Despite a rough loss to the Chiefs two weeks ago, the Packers are clearly the class of the NFL. Expect them to waltz through to the conference championship.

2. San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have a good running game and a stout defense, but they may be in trouble if they find themselves in a high-scoring contest.

3. New Orleans Saints: The Saints can beat any team on any night, but if their defense doesn't force any turnovers, they can easily get beaten on any night.

4. NY Giants: They need to beat Dallas in Week 17, but if they can do that, they have shown that they are tough enough to hang with the big boys.

5. Detroit Lions: The Lions are back in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. They have a hard-nosed crew that is excited to punish all comers.

6. Atlanta Falcons: It's hard to trust this bunch, but they certainly have the talent to make some noise this January if they can get in.

Still in contention

7. Dallas Cowboys: This team's fate hinges on Tony Romo's health. Without Romo, they'll have a hard time beating the Giants this coming weekend. Their "lack-a-tackle-itis" on the defensive end has been troubling.

The Denver Broncos Need to Run over the Chiefs

The Broncos have shown that they can win in unconventional ways. Until their loss to the Buffalo Bills this past Saturday, Tim Tebow had done a great job protecting the football. With four interceptions this past week, Tebow hurt his team in ways that he had theretofore avoided.

Denver's defense has regressed some the past couple of games, and they need to get back to their midseason swarming form in order to be effective down the stretch. With the option offense in place, the Broncos' best chance to win is predicated on the defense keeping the games close for Tebow to finish them off in the fourth quarter.

In the Broncos' best-case scenario, Tebow would clean up his play and outduel Kyle Orton in their Week 17 showdown to run their way to a playoff spot. They could still slip into the playoffs if Oakland loses to the Chargers, but they'd certainly rather have the taste of victory in their mouths as they start the new year.

The Bengals Need to Pounce on the Ravens to Guarantee a Spot

The surprising Bengals will face a divisional rival that wants to lock up a playoff bye. It won't be easy against the Ravens, but the Bengals are riding some chutzpah into Week 17.

Their opportunistic defense has carved out an identity for itself, and their offense is efficient with rookie QB Andy Dalton under center.

The Bengals could still get in as a Wild Card team without a win (if the Jets and Titans both lose), but beating the Ravens would give them the confidence they need to be a threat in January.  

The Oakland Raiders Are Rooting for Orton and Need to Beat the Chargers

The Raiders will need some help from the Broncos to squeak into the playoffs. Although they don't control their own destiny, they still need to take care of business against the disappointing San Diego Chargers this Sunday.

The Raiders are playing the Chargers at home, so they should have the edge. They'll also be keeping an eye on the Broncos/Chiefs game. They need the Chiefs to beat the Broncos in order to win the division and secure a spot in the playoffs.

To beat the Chargers, the Raiders will need to limit the knuckle-headed mistakes that have derailed so many of their games this season. Dumb penalties and inexplicable interceptions have ruined the Raiders this year. They will need to clean up their act to have a chance to get into the playoffs.

The Titans Have to Have Everything Fall Their Way

The Titans recently found a new way to win. They used a three-receiver set and hit big tight end Jared Cook early and often against the putrid Jacksonville Jaguars.

Even though the Texans have dropped two in a row, they are still a dangerous team. The Titans need to beat Houston this coming Sunday and then get help from the Bengals and Jets to slide in as the No. 6 seed.

The Titans defense is adequate, but nothing special. When Chris Johnson is running well, they can be exceedingly dangerous, but he has been inconsistent all year.

In their best-case scenario, the Titans will find a balanced offensive attack and their defense will play well enough to stifle the Texans.

The Mouthy Jets Need to Beat the Feisty Dolphins and Get Some Help Along the Way

The New York Jets have been paper tigers all season. Their vaunted defense has often fallen prey to good quarterbacks and their offense has been maddeningly inconsistent.

In the Jets' best-case scenario, they'll be able to fend off the dangerous Dolphins and then Tennessee, Oakland and Cincinnati all have to lose.

The Jets' best chance to get into position to make the playoffs was this past Saturday against the Giants. They couldn't do what they said they were going to do, so they find themselves as long shots to get into the postseason.

They'll need to fix their messy play on offense and rediscover Shonn Greene and Dustin Keller if they want to have a prayer.

The Giants Control Their Destiny and Can Win the Division with a Victory

Only the Cowboys stand in their way now. The Giants did their talking on the field against the Jets and set themselves up to win the division if they can beat the Cowboys this Sunday.

The Giants defense keyed their win this past Saturday. They'll need a similar showing from their defense if they want to beat the Cowboys.

They could get an assist from the Cowboys if Tony Romo can't go this Sunday. The Giants have been inconsistent passing the ball, but if they can continue to get the ball downfield to Victor Cruz and use Jake Ballard over the middle, they can make hay through the air on the Cowboys.

The Falcons Hold the No. 6 Seed Right Now and Can Salt It Away with a Win

The talent-rich Atlanta Falcons have themselves in a good position with two games left. They have a 9-5 record and they'll most likely get into the playoffs as a Wild Card by winning at least one of their two final games.

They have enough firepower to keep up with the New Orleans Saints this Monday, but even if they can't win, they have the fading Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Week 17.

My guess is that most NFC teams won't want to play the Falcons. Their defense isn't dominant, but they can compensate by putting up points quickly.

The Cowboys Have to Pull Together to Beat the Giants This Week

After a thoroughly dispiriting showing against the Philadelphia Eagles this past Saturday, the Cowboys need to pull together to beat the Giants and win the NFC East.

With no other avenues available to get into the playoffs, the Cowboys have to walk on the winning street against the Giants.

As mentioned earlier, Romo's availability next week is in doubt. If he can't play, the Cowboys will have a tough time challenging the suspect Giants secondary. They'll also need a big game from their talented defensive line to pull out a victory. If they can pressure Eli Manning, they can force him into mistakes.