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After Sunday, Threee More Teams Punch Their Ticket To NFL Playoffs

While there are still two games to be played, the NFL Playoff picture came into clearer focus as to who with be in the postseason tournament. There are still plenty of playoff scenarios, however, to make the final games this week, as well as the Week 17 action must-see TV.

Here is what we do know, division-by-division.

AFC

AFC EAST - The New England Patriots have clinched the division as well as home field throughout the playoffs. The New York Jets backed into the playoffs yesterday despite losing to the Chicago Bears after Jacksonville lost to the Washington Redskins in OT.

AFC NORTH - The Steelers and Ravens are in. Baltimore clinched a spot by beating the Browns yesterday 20-10

AFC SOUTH - It's pretty easy. The Indianapolis Colts can win the division simply by winning their final game - a home matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

AFC WEST - The Kansas City Chiefs won the West by beating the Titans while the San Diego Chargers lost on the road to Cincinnati.

WHO'S IN(if the playoffs started today)

1. New England Patriots

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

3. Kansas City Chiefs

4. Indianapolis Colts

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. New York Jets

Only the Colts have work to do in terms of earning a spot. The other 5 teams are in, with only seeding left to play for.

NFC

NFC EAST - When the New York Giants imploded - again - in the 2nd Half against the Packers yesterday, losing 45-17, they handed the division title to the Philadelphia Eagles.

NFC NORTH - The Packers now control their own destiny. If they beat the Bears next Sunday they are in as a Wild Card. The Bears have already wrapped up the North, though they still have a BYE week as motivation.

NFC SOUTH - Tonight's Monday Night Football showdown between the Falcons and Saints will go a long way toward determining what happens next. The Saints can clinch a playoff spot with a win. The Falcons are going after home-field advantage.

NFC WEST - Take a deep breath because this gets a bit ugly. The Rams lead the West at 7-8. They head to 6-9 Seattle on Sunday in a winner-take-all affair. That's right, if the Seahawks beat the Rams on Sunday they will be the NFC West Champs with a losing record. They would also be the 4th seed in the NFC, likely hosting a 10-win Wild Card team.

If it ended today, here is what the NFC would look like:

1. Atlanta Falcons

2. Chicago Bears

3. Philadelphia Eagles

4. St. Louis Rams

5. New Orleans Saints

6. Green Bay Packers

All of this in the NFC can change over the next couple of days. The Saints and Falcons play tonight while the Eagles and Vikings will play their weather-postponed game on Tuesday Night. Stay Tuned!

Photographs by spatulated, Triple Tri, and chrischappelear used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.