The race for the playoffs remains predictably crowded at the dawn of the fourth quarter of this NFL season, bringing with it a complicated bundle of scenarios for the division crowns and wild-card spots available for the taking.
The Cowboys-Giants rematch on Sunday night will likely get the biggest ratings, but Dallas has a three-game lead in the NFC East and New York leads the wild-card pack.
So the game on Sunday with the biggest impact on the playoff picture might be, believe it or not, Houston-Indianapolis, considering their three-way tie with Tennessee among 6-6 teams in the underwhelming AFC South.
The Texans beat the Colts earlier this season. The Titans will have their hands full on Sunday with Denver. The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos are in third place in the AFC West, trying to stay ahead in the wild-card race.
Here's a closer look at the candidates:
AFC EAST
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Baltimore on Monday, at Denver on Dec. 18, vs. New York Jets on Dec. 24, at Miami on Jan. 1.
Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 7-1.
Can clinch division with win and loss by Miami. Can clinch first-round bye with win, loss by Miami and loss by Pittsburgh. Oakland's loss to Kansas City on Thursday gave Patriots control of No. 1 seed.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Arizona on Sunday, at New York Jets on Dec. 17, at Buffalo on Dec. 24, vs. New England on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-4.
With division all but decided, Dolphins are first team below the cut in wild-card race facing one-game deficit behind Denver.
With brutal finish to schedule for Broncos, they have chance to move up. Earlier win over Pittsburgh could come in handy, in case of head-to-head tiebreaker with Steelers. Rooting for Baltimore to win AFC North, because of loss last week to Ravens.
BUFFALO BILLS (6-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Pittsburgh on Sunday, vs. Cleveland on Dec. 18, vs. Miami on Dec. 24, at New York Jets on Jan. 1.
Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 3-5.
Favorable final stretch of games gives Bills longshot hope in wild-card chase, but losing mark against AFC competition will make tiebreakers tough. One more defeat, and the streak of postseason absences probably reaches 17 in a row.
Thanks for playing: NEW YORK JETS (3-9).
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AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-5)
Remaining schedule: at New England on Monday, vs. Philadelphia on Dec. 18, at Pittsburgh on Dec. 25, at Cincinnati on Jan. 1.
Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 7-2.
With Christmas Day grudge game against Steelers looming in two weekends, Ravens will be challenged to avoid falling behind until then. Win that one, though, and they'll own the tiebreaker thanks to earlier victory against rival Pittsburgh. Wild card also in play for loser of division race, and strong conference record will help.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-5)
Remaining schedule: at Buffalo on Sunday, at Cincinnati on Dec. 18, vs. Baltimore on Dec. 25, vs. Cleveland on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-3.
With potential tiebreakers not currently in favor and first wild-card spot under control of AFC West runner-up, division race is best route. Home game against Ravens in two weeks gives them good chance. If they split season series, tiebreaker scenario could go all the way from division record, common games record, conference record to strength of victory at No. 5. That's where Steelers could regain division crown, with current .447 mark to .315 for Ravens, though remaining game against Browns would make that comparison much closer.
Thanks for playing: CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-7-1), CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-12).
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AFC SOUTH
HOUSTON TEXANS (6-6)
Remaining schedule: at Indianapolis on Sunday, vs. Jacksonville on Dec. 18, vs. Cincinnati on Dec. 24, at Tennessee on Jan. 1.
Division record: 3-0. Conference record: 4-4.
Could lose at Colts and still own tiebreaker, with superior division record. Most favorable remaining schedule of three AFC South competitors. Would need to pass three teams to get wild card, so this is all but certain to be a one-bid division.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Houston on Sunday, at Minnesota on Dec. 18, at Oakland on Dec. 24, vs. Jacksonville on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-2. Conference record: 4-5.
Can't afford to lose on Sunday with consecutive daunting road games looming after. Four wins in past six games after collapse at Houston on Oct. 16 could be too little too late, but momentum can be an amazing thing.
TENNESSEE TITANS (6-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Denver on Sunday, at Kansas City on Dec. 18, at Jacksonville on Dec. 24, vs. Houston on Jan. 1.
Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 3-5.
Unlikely to win two or three-way tiebreakers with Texans and/or Colts, so will almost certainly need to knock off either Broncos or Chiefs. Gulp. Do that, though, and home game against Jaguars could be soft setup for division title game in Week 17 vs. Texans if Colts fall behind.
Thanks for playing: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-10).
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AFC WEST
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Tennessee on Dec. 18, vs. Denver on Dec. 25, at San Diego on Jan. 1.
Division record: 4-0. Conference record: 7-2.
Took control of division race with win over Raiders on Thursday to sweep season series. Could probably lose out and still get wild card, but Chiefs are chasing first-round bye and unlikely to let up. Week 14 rooting interest: Ravens to beat Patriots, Titans to beat Broncos, Cardinals to beat Dolphins, Bills to beat Steelers.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (10-3)
Remaining schedule: at San Diego on Dec. 18, vs. Indianapolis on Dec. 24, at Denver on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-2. Conference record: 7-2.
Loss to Chiefs eliminated chance of clinching this weekend first playoff spot in 14 years. One more win, plus either one more loss by Miami or Denver, will do it. Would have to finish one game ahead of Chiefs to win AFC East, but path to wild card could be clearer by Monday night.
DENVER BRONCOS (8-4)
Remaining schedule: at Tennessee on Sunday, vs. New England on Dec. 18, at Kansas City on Dec. 25, vs. Oakland on Jan. 1.
Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 5-3.
Good news for Broncos is they've got one-game edge over two teams chasing them for second wild-card spot. Bad news is their third-place status in division and daunting remaining schedule. Week 14 rooting interest: Patriots to beat Ravens, Bills to beat Steelers, Cardinals to beat Dolphins.
Thanks for playing: SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-7).
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NFC EAST
DALLAS COWBOYS (11-1)
Remaining schedule: at New York Giants on Sunday, vs. Tampa Bay on Dec. 18, vs. Detroit on Dec. 26, at Philadelphia on Jan. 1.
Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 7-1.
Only team to have already clinched a postseason spot, Cowboys can win division by beating Giants. They can also secure first-round bye with win and loss by either Detroit or Seattle. If Cowboys win and both Lions and Seahawks lose, they're the No. 1 seed with guaranteed home games until the Super Bowl that's a mere four-hour drive away in Houston.
NEW YORK GIANTS (8-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Dallas on Sunday, vs. Detroit on Dec. 18, at Philadelphia on Dec. 22, at Washington on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-3.
Winning out would give them tiebreaker over Cowboys, but still require two other losses by NFL's top team to win NFC East. Fortunately, wild-card race is in their control. Would lose head-to-head tiebreaker with both Minnesota and Green Bay, but carry two-game cushion over those competitors.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (6-5-1)
Remaining schedule: at Philadelphia on Sunday, vs. Carolina on Dec. 19, at Chicago on Dec. 24, vs. New York Giants on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-2. Conference record: 4-4.
Dreaded tie with Cincinnati on Oct. 30 could be what dooms postseason bid, but remaining slate appears promising. Unless a wild scenario emerges with Cardinals surging forward and Vikings and Packers fading, tiebreaker rules won't need to be deciphered for Washington. Currently first team to miss cut in wild-card race.
Thanks for playing: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-7).
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NFC NORTH
DETROIT LIONS (8-4):
Remaining schedule: vs. Chicago on Sunday, at New York Giants on Dec. 18, at Dallas on Dec. 26, vs. Green Bay on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-2. Conference record: 6-2.
Can clinch division with three more wins, or fewer with corresponding losses by Minnesota and Green Bay. Winning at least twice more would put them in prime position for wild card at least. Strong finish and slip by Seattle would deliver No. 2 seed and first-round bye.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-6)
Remaining schedule: at Jacksonville on Sunday, vs. Indianapolis on Dec. 18, at Green Bay on Dec. 24, vs. Chicago on Jan. 1.
Division record: 1-3. Conference record: 4-6.
To win division, must finish one game ahead of Detroit given two losses last month to Lions. Could also lose tiebreaker to Green Bay, depending on upcoming results. To get wild card, must pass two teams and stay ahead of Packers. Likely need to win out and even in that case could still need some help.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-6)
Remaining schedule: vs. Seattle on Sunday, at Chicago on Dec. 18, vs. Minnesota on Dec. 24, at Detroit on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 4-4.
To win division, need to make up one game in deficit behind Detroit over next three weeks, beat Lions in finale and at least stay even with Minnesota if not pass Vikings, depending on upcoming results. Likely need to win out and even in that case could still need some help.
Thanks for playing: CHICAGO BEARS (3-9).
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NFC SOUTH
ATLANTA FALCONS (7-5)
Remaining schedule: at Los Angeles on Sunday, vs. San Francisco on Dec. 18, at Carolina on Dec. 24, vs. New Orleans on Jan. 1.
Division record: 3-1. Conference record: 5-3.
Sudden surge by Buccaneers has put Falcons and playoff push on notice. Final four opponents all have losing records, giving them slight edge in division race, but momentum in December is more important than schedule.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. New Orleans on Sunday, at Dallas on Dec. 18, at New Orleans on Dec. 24, vs. Carolina on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-1. Conference record: 5-3.
One of league's most surprising teams, particularly considering 3-5 record after losing at home to Atlanta on Nov. 3, Bucs currently control second wild-card spot even if Falcons were to win NFC South tiebreaker. Need to stay ahead of Washington, Minnesota and Green Bay.
Thanks for playing: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-7), CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-8).
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NFC WEST
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-3-1)
Remaining schedule: at Green Bay on Sunday, vs. Los Angeles on Dec. 15, vs. Arizona on Dec. 24, at San Francisco on Jan. 1.
Division record: 1-1-1. Conference record: 4-3-1.
Can clinch division with win and Arizona loss. Controls No. 2 seed, but must fend off Detroit in chase for first-round bye. Might be team in entire NFL race that's least likely to go up or down in standings over final month.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-6-1)
Remaining schedule: at Miami on Sunday, vs. New Orleans on Dec. 18, at Seattle on Dec. 24, at Los Angeles on Jan. 1.
Division record: 2-1-1. Conference record: 4-4-1.
Winning out will likely be only way in. Victory at Seattle on Christmas Eve and two other losses by top rival is possible, but improbable given Seahawks' experience and moxie. Chaotic competition for wild-card spots leaves door open a bit for last season's NFC runner-up.
Thanks for playing: LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-8), SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-11).
