NFC Playoff Picture: Breaking Down Cowboys, Giants NFC East Scenarios

Okay, so we know this much heading into the Week 17 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants in The Big Apple, the winner goes to the playoffs and the loser goes home until 2012.

That being said, what else is there for both teams?

Well, aside from a division championship and playoff berth, obviously getting the NFC's No. 4 seed is what happens as neither can finish better than 9-7.

And since the winner gets the No. 4 seed, they then have to play host to the NFC's No. 5 seed. Easy stuff however, their opponent is still to be determined.

On Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons play at the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons have a 9-5 record and the Saints are 11-3. Both also have a divisional game in Week 17, so the NFC South has yet to crown a winner either.

If the Falcons win on Monday and then again in Week 17 while the Saints lose out, Atlanta wins the division. Therefore the Saints would play either Dallas or New York.

Now, if New Orleans defends their turf well and sweeps the Falcons in Week 16, they clinch the division and at least a No. 3 seed. In turn, that makes Atlanta (who's already clinched a playoff spot) to travel to Dallas or New York.

All that said, we still have one other scenario. The Detroit Lions.

With their win over San Diego at home in Week 16, the Lions clinched their first playoff berth since the 1999 NFL season and their first 10-win season since 1995.

Thing is, the Lions may sit at 10-5 however because they have to play at Green Bay in Week 17. Now, the Packers have already locked-up the NFC North, a playoff bye, and the NFC's No. 1 seed. So the question remains as to how wholeheartedly the Packers play.

If the Lions win, they finish 11-5, but depending on what happens with the Saints and Falcons determines their seed. We know this much about Detroit, they cannot get a higher seed than No. 5.

The only way Detroit can get the No. 5 seed is if they finish with a better record than the Falcons, otherwise it's the No. 6 seed for The Motor City. So, even if Atlanta drops to New Orleans they'll need to lose again in Week 17.

Anyway you slice it though, the scenario for the Giants and Cowboys plays out to where the winner will host Atlanta, Detroit, or New Orleans on Wildcard Weekend. Regardless of who they play, it will not be a cakewalk.

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