By design, the NFL wants as many playoff possibilities in place on the final weekend. Mission partially accomplished.
A few final playoff spots are yet to be determined. But the strength of a number of teams - particularly in the AFC - has helped the picture become as clear as it's going to get.
Here is a look at the likely matchups should things remain as is.
Getting the bye: AFC
NO. 1 PATRIOTS (13-2): They have won 11 in a row but a loss to the Bills Saturday could keep them from homefield throughout.
The Patriots do it with a conservative offense and a tenacious defense. In last weekend's 21-16 win over the Jets, the Patriots had five interceptions.
With a bye in hand, coach Bill Belichick said: "The only thing we're concerned about now is Buffalo. The last time we played Buffalo we didn't come out too well. Whatever happens and all the rest of that stuff, we don't have any control over what anybody else does."
NO. 2 CHIEFS (12-3): They have looked mortal the last month but still have one of the league's most potent offenses. The Chiefs host the Bears on Sunday and with a win, coupled with a Patriot loss, the top seed would be theirs. Kansas City has the tiebreaker based on a better record against common opponents (4-1 vs. 3-2), the team's Web site said.
A loss to the Bears will not affect Kansas City's standing since it holds tiebreakers over the Colts and the Titans based on a better conference record.
Wild-card play
NO. 3 COLTS (11-4) VS. NO. 6 BRONCOS (10-5): Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Broncos was a blow to the Colts. Had Indianapolis won, it would be alive for a first-round bye and possible homefield advantage through the playoffs.
But the Broncos' uncanny ability to find running backs - they played without Clinton Portis and still managed to grind out 227 rushing yards - proved too much for Indianapolis.
"Any time a team runs for (227) yards and keeps the ball that long, it's going to be tough," Colts coach Tony Dungy said in a news conference. "We're going to have to look at that. It looks like it's a good chance we could play these guys again down the road, so we're going to have to examine that and see how we can play them (better) the next time."
Not so fast, Coach. A loss in Houston Sunday, coupled with a Titan win over the Bucs, will change things. The Colts would then lose the division and be forced to go on the road to either Baltimore or Cincinnati.
The Broncos also could move. A loss at Green Bay Sunday keeps the Broncos in the sixth spot and sets up the likely rematch with the Colts. But a win, coupled with a Titan loss, moves the Broncos up to fifth, ahead of the Titans based on conference record.
NO. 4 AFC NORTH WINNER VS. NO. 5 TITANS (11-4): Only one team from the North will make it, creating intrigue when the Browns visit the Bengals and the Ravens host the Steelers.
The scenario is simple. If the Ravens win, they are the fourth seed and host an opening-round game, likely against the Titans. If they lose and the Bengals win, Cincinnati takes the North based on division record.
To add further intrigue, the Ravens are chasing history. Running back Jamal Lewis has 1,952 yards, 154 from a single-season record.
"Anything's possible," Lewis told reporters. "I think we can go out and get those types of yards. I think the O line's going to be all geeked up and ready to go, so I think I'm just going to put it in their hands and follow their lead."
While they still have a chance to win the division, the Titans could be on the road with 11 or 12 wins.
"There are some teams in this league with better records, but we can hang with any of them," Titans receiver Justin McCareins said. "We just have to play our game and play smart. There's no limit to how far we can go."
The picture in the NFC is not nearly as clear.
Getting the bye: NFC
NO. 1 RAMS (12-3): St. Louis is looking very much like the offensive machine that chewed up defenses a few seasons ago. The rams are 8-0 at home and will have to lose there to not make it to the Super Bowl.
"We have an advantage here," coach Mike Martz said. "We're very proud of that advantage. And that's the 12th man, if you will, the St. Louis fans."
Since the start of the 1999 season, the Rams boast a 37-7 record at home, best in the NFL.
"People have come and gone in this locker room, but the fans haven't changed at all," defensive end Grant Wistrom said. "They're incredibly loud."
NO. 2 EAGLES (11-4): Losing to the 49ers in overtime Sunday denied Philadelphia a chance to lock up a bye. A loss at the Redskins on Saturday will be a bigger problem.
One game ahead of the Cowboys, who play in New Orleans Sunday, the Eagles lose the tiebreaker to the Cowboys based on a poorer division record.
"It doesn't matter what anybody else is doing or how we end up in the playoffs," receiver James Thrash said. "We know we're in there, so once we get there, it's a whole new season. It really doesn't matter what you've done in the regular season."
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said his team will know its chances before playing Sunday, but stressed that the goal is not to pay too much attention elsewhere.
"There's still a chance, and that's good, but my experience has been not to worry much about other things, but rather take care of your own as much as you can," Parcells said in a news conference.
Wild-card play
NO. 3 PANTHERS (10-5) VS. NO. 6 SEAHAWKS (9-6): A victory over the hapless Giants Sunday would give the NFC South champs an 11-win season. But it won't help the seeding. According to the team's Web site, the Panthers are locked into the third or fourth seed and will play opening weekend.
"The idea of building momentum going into the playoffs was critical," coach John Fox told reporters. "It just sounds better at 10-5. I think it's a big accomplishment for all of those guys in the locker room."
With nine wins, the Seahawks have the inside track for at least the No. 6 spot, though a win at the 49ers on Saturday and a Cowboy loss to the Saints could move Seattle to the fifth spot.
NO. 4 VIKINGS (9-6) VS. NO. 5 COWBOYS (10-5): The league's most up-and-down team seems to be up again and it couldn't have come at a better time. The Vikings proved that they can score after waxing the Chiefs 45-20 Saturday and can lock up a home game with a win in Arizona Sunday.
Of course, the Vikings have beaten the Chiefs, Packers, 49ers and Seahawks, who are a combined 36-23, and have lost to the Raiders, Giants, Bears and Chargers, who are 18-41.
The Cowboys aren't likely to rest key players.
"The answer is no," Parcells said. "It's stupid to do that, that's why. This is a 16-game season, not 15-game (season). We play every game to try to win the game. I have never done that, never. ... If I dress them, it's with the intention of playing them. I would never rest anybody."
- Information from other news organizations was used in the report.
