After the Denver Broncos kicked off December with a win over the Oakland Raiders, here's an expanded look at the 2012 NFL playoff picture going into Week 14's Sunday and Monday games.
Seeds are based on current records and tiebreakers.
? Week 14 picks | Troy Aikman: Hot Reads | Fantasy Source matchups | Linemakers
AFC
1. Houston Texans (11-1)
The Texans clinched a playoff spot, but with two games left against the second-place Colts, they have work to do to win the AFC South. As for that other matter of the earning the top seed and home-field advantage in the conference playoffs, a win over the Patriots on Monday night would put them on the cusp. They have already beaten the Broncos and Ravens.
What's left: at New England, vs. Indianapolis, vs. Minnesota, at Indianapolis
2. Denver Broncos (10-3)
The Broncos would like to at least claim a first-round bye. That makes next week's road game against the Ravens a must win because Denver has lost to the Texans and Patriots. Otherwise, the Broncos are looking at a No. 4 seed as AFC West champions, just like they were a season ago at 8-8.
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What's left: at Baltimore, vs. Cleveland, vs. Kansas City
3. Baltimore Ravens (9-3)
If the Ravens win out, they'll guarantee themselves at least the No. 2 seed behind the Texans, because it means they would have beaten the Broncos and Patriots. But with a brutal final-month schedule, that will be difficult to accomplish. Last week's home loss to the Steelers hurt, but Baltimore tends to rebound strong from defeats.
What's left: at Washington, vs. Denver, vs. New York Giants, at Cincinnati
4. New England Patriots (9-3)
The AFC East champions will be challenged by fellow Super Bowl contenders Houston and San Francisco the next two weeks, but having those games in New England in December is a big plus. So is closing out with two Florida teams that can't keep up with their offense.
What's left: vs. Houston, vs. San Francisco, at Jacksonville, vs. Miami
5. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
With last week's critical comeback win at Detroit, Andrew Luck and the Colts should feel pretty good about their wild-card chances. They will get in by winning two of four ?the Titans and Chiefs are most likely to fall. There's hope they can take the AFC South title with two games against the Texas in the final three weeks.
What's left: vs. Tennessee, at Houston, at Kansas City, vs. Houston
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)
Although their loss to the Browns was ugly, the Steelers were able to split with the rival Ravens without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Now that Roethlisberger is back, they can be confident about sweeping the final four games, including three at home. They might be able to lock up a wild card before Week 17 if they can beat the Bengals in Week 16.
What's left: vs. San Diego, at Dallas, vs. Cincinnati, vs. Cleveland
Alive: Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)
The Bengals get two more games against the NFC East after having posted wins over the Redskins and Giants. Those are against the division's weakest teams, the Cowboys and Eagles. But, they are 1-3 against the AFC North and have games against the Steelers and Ravens, who are a combined 6-0 against Cincinnati in 2011 and '12.
Desperate and dire: New York Jets (5-7), Buffalo Bills (5-7), Miami Dolphins (5-7), Cleveland Browns (4-8), San Diego Chargers (4-8), Tennessee Titans (4-8)
Over and out: Oakland Raiders (3-10), Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10), Kansas City Chiefs (2-10)
NFC
1. Atlanta Falcons (11-1)
The Falcons have the great record, good cushion and favorable remaining schedule to claim the top seed, just like they did two seasons ago. However, they would like to make a big statement against the Giants at home in Week 15. If they can beat the defending Super Bowl champs ? who beat Atlanta in the playoffs last season ? the Falcons would deliver a message to skeptics that they are capable of winning the conference.
What's left: at Carolina, vs. New York Giants, at Detroit, vs. Tampa Bay
2. San Francisco 49ers (8-3-1)
The 49ers have a half-game lead over the Packers, who lost to the Niners way back in Week 1. But to hang on to the No. 2 seed over Green Bay, they might have to sweep their final four games. The 49ers have a little breathing room in the NFC West race against the Seahawks, but a loss at New England could make their Week 16 game at Seattle a division showdown.
What's left: vs. Miami, at New England, at Seattle, vs. Arizona
3. Green Bay Packers (8-4)
The Packers finally jumped the Bears for the NFC North lead and move ahead of the Giants for the No. 3 position. They are 3-0 halfway through division play, and beating the Bears again in Week 15 would all but ensure a second consecutive division title. If they win out and the 49ers lose one, they would overtake San Francisco for the No. 2 seed.
What's left: vs. Detroit, at Chicago, vs. Tennessee, at Minnesota
4. New York Giants (7-5)
Here we go again. The Giants, who are going through another up-and-down season with a difficult schedule, have a tenuous lead in the NFC East. Considering how they play to the level of their competition, it wouldn't be surprising to see them run the table to steal the No. 2 seed ? or lose three out of four and fall out of the playoffs.
What's left: vs. New Orleans, at Atlanta, at Baltimore, vs. Philadelphia
5. Chicago Bears (8-4)
The Bears close out the season with games they should win at Arizona and Detroit. Considering the Bears have lost two of their past three, however, their rematches with the Vikings and Packers look challenging. Because of their inconsistent offense and injuries on defense, it's harder to trust them playing anywhere.
What's left: at Minnesota, vs. Green Bay, at Arizona, at Detroit
6. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
The Seahawks are 0-3 in NFC West play, but those losses were all on the road. Now they get the Cardinals, 49ers and Rams at home, where they are undefeated. Still, they can expect battles in the rematches. The Bills' game in Canada is far from a gimme, because their only road win before Chicago came at Carolina.
What's left: vs. Arizona, at Buffalo (in Toronto), vs. San Francisco, vs. St. Louis
Alive: Washington Redskins (6-6), Dallas Cowboys (6-6), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6), Minnesota Vikings (6-6), St. Louis Rams (5-6-1), New Orleans Saints (5-7)
The Redskins are in the best shape because they are 4-1 against the other teams in this group, losing only to the Rams. The Cowboys have lost to the Bears, Seahawks and Redskins. For Washington or Dallas to reach the playoffs, the better bet is trying to displace New York from the NFC East lead.
Desperate and dire: Detroit Lions (4-8), Arizona Cardinals (4-8), Carolina Panthers (3-9), Philadelphia Eagles (3-9).
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