AFC South and NFC Wild Card Spot Are On the Line

If the Jaguars lose, then the Colts will win the AFC South regardless of what they do.  Indianapolis can make it a formality if they go ahead and beat the Titans at home. A Colts victory also gives them the three seed and a rematch of last year’s championship game against the Jets.

In the NFC, the Packers need a win over the Bears to claim the final Wild Card spot and the sixth seed.  If Green Bay falters against a Chicago team that is playing for nothing but pride, then the Giants can claim the final spot with a win at Washington. If both the Packers and Giants fail to win, Tampa Bay would get the last spot.

The three other games have no impact on the playoffs.  The Eagles are locked into the third seed, and are hosting Dallas on short rest after a disastrous week that saw them move a game to Tuesday night and then lose an important game against Minnesota.  Dallas will be trying to win their fifth game since Jason Garrett took over as the interim head coach.  I would be stunned if Michael Vick played in this one, and several other Eagles are on the injury report and will likely be limited.

San Diego was eliminated with their dreadful loss to the Bengals last week, and will travel to Denver.  Tim Tebow had a good game against the Texans last week, but this week will be a bigger test as the Chargers defense ranks highly against both the run and the pass. 

San Francisco and Arizona were just one win short of still being in the playoff chase in the NFC West, and with the season over, and coach Mike Singletary fired, the 49ers are ready to move to next year.  Star linebacker Patrick Willis will sit out the game after having surgery on his finger.

[photo via Getty]