With four weeks to go in the NFL regular season, it appears we have already separated the Super Bowl contenders from the pretenders. Nevertheless, don’t tell that to a slew of teams who are still hoping for a playoff spot and are still mathematically probable to join the cast of postseason teams:

National Football Conference

  1. Seattle Seahawks (11-1)
  2. New Orleans Saints (9-3)
  3. Detroit Lions (7-5)
  4. Dallas Cowboys (7-5)
  5. Carolina Panthers (7-5)
  6. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)

Opening Round Bye: Seattle, New Orleans
NFC Wildcard: Detroit vs. San Francisco, Dallas vs. Carolina

American Football Conference

  1. Denver Broncos (10-2)
  2. New England Patriots (9-3)
  3. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
  4. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)
  5. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
  6. 6. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)

Opening Round Bye: Denver, New England
AFC Wildcard: Indianapolis vs. Baltimore, Cincinnati vs. Kansas City

Still in the hunt for a playoff spot are the Miami Dolphins (6-6), Tennessee Titans (5-7), Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7), New York Jets (5-7) and San Diego Chargers (5-7) in the AFC while the Philadelphia Eagles (7-5), Arizona Cardinals (7-5), Chicago Bears (6-6) and Green Bay Packers (5-6) still have a fighting chance in the NFC.

All of these teams however, do not control destiny in their hands; they need help from the higher-ranked teams, and that these same teams start losing from this point on so the teams outside the playoff picture could have a chance.

Crucial Games in Week 14 (With Major Playoff Positioning Implications)

  1. Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints - Newton vs. Brees in Week 14 and Brees vs. Newton in Week 16… And oh, their teams are tied at 9-3 atop the NFC South.
  2. Detroit Lions vs. Philadelphia Eagles - The Lions want that top spot in the NFC North while Philly wants the NFC East and a playoff spot.
  3. St. Louis Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals – Both are currently out of the playoff picture but the Cards have the bigger chance. Arizona is half a game back behind NFC West rivals San Francisco, which they’ll meet in the final game of the regular season.
  4. Atlanta Falcons vs. Green Bay Packers – Not yet do-or-die for Green Bay depending on what other teams do but virtually a must win. Quarterback Aaron Rodger is not yet cleared by doctors as of Tuesday, so they have to get this win versus the Falcons without their best player.
  5. Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – While the Seahawks have locked down a playoff spot, the 49ers will be fighting for their postseason lives.