NFL playoff picture 2014, Week 17: Seeding, division titles on the line in AFC and NFC

Although 10 of the 12 postseason spots have already been clinched, the playoff picture is far from complete, with several teams still jockeying for position and four division winners to be crowned in Week 17. The New England Patriots have nothing to play for on Sunday, so it’s unclear what their lineup will look like against the Buffalo Bills.

New England already has home-field advantage and a first-round bye, but every other team still in contention has something to play for on Sunday. The top two seeds in the NFC are up for grabs, while the second seed in the AFC is likely to go to the Denver Broncos, but can be lost if they let their guard down against the Oakland Raiders.

Then there’s the actual divisions still up for grabs -- the NFC South, NFC West, NFC North and AFC North. All of the AFC South, AFC West and AFC East were locked up in Week 15, while the Dallas Cowboys secured the NFC East in Week 16. Sunday should be a wild day of games.

1. New England Patriots (12-3)*
2. Denver Broncos (11-4)*
3. Indianapolis Colts (10-5)*
4. Cincinnati Bengals (10-4-1)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5)
6. San Diego Chargers (9-6)
7. Baltimore Ravens (9-6)
8. Houston Texans (8-7)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (8-7)

*clinched division title

In the AFC, one team has locked up its seed, while another is essentially set as well: the Indianapolis Colts are currently the No. 4 seed, with the potential to get the No. 3 seed, while the New England Patriots have wrapped up the top seed and home field advantage through the playoffs. Indianapolis can get the three seed only if it wins, while the Bengals and Steelers play to a tie. They’re essentially locked into the No. 4 seed otherwise.

The AFC North is the conference’s lone division still up for grabs, and will be decided in a winner-take-all game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.

The Denver Broncos will be either the second or third seed regardless of the outcome of their final game against the Oakland Raiders, and can secure a first-round bye with either a win or a loss by the Bengals. The Bengals could move up to the second seed with a win over the Steelers and a loss by the Broncos; otherwise, the AFC North winner will clinch the No. 3 seed and the loser of that game will drop to the fifth seed. The sixth and final spot will go to one of four teams: San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, or the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers control their own destiny, while the other three teams need a victory in Week 17 plus help from other teams.

1. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)
2. Detroit Lions (11-4)
3. Dallas Cowboys (11-4)*
4. Carolina Panthers (6-8-1)**

5. Green Bay Packers (11-4)
6. Arizona Cardinals (11-4)

*clinched division title
**Atlanta Falcons (6-9) still alive for NFC South division title

The lone position that is relatively set in stone entering Week 17 is the NFC’s No. 4 seed, which will go to the NFC South winner.

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