The AFC has four teams (Miami, Baltimore, San Diego and Pittsburgh) vying for the sixth and final playoff position while the NFC is even more jumbled as the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals fight for a spot along with either Green Bay, Chicago, Dallas and Philadelphia as six teams go at it for the final three playoff spots.
There are just three of the 16 scheduled games on Sunday that have no impact at all on the playoff picture, so this week is crucial for those teams looking to play on in January.
The following offers a look at the biggest games along with the Heftyinfo picks for the final week of the regular season.
Carolina Panthers (11-4) at Atlanta Falcons (4-11) - The Panthers are looking to clinch a first round playoff bye week, but the Falcons would love to spoil that.
Baltimore Ravens (8-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) - The Bengals have a shot at getting a first round bye with a win and some help while the Ravens are in the same position to get the sixth and final playoff spot.
Houston Texans (2-13) at Tennessee Titans (6-9) - Remember the Titans? They, along with the Texans, would rather forget this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) at Indianapolis Colts (10-5) - The Colts appear to be locked in for the third or fourth playoff seed in the AFC, but with some breaks, could get a bye week.
Cleveland Browns (4-11) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) - Someway, somehow, the Steelers are still in playoff contention. Once upon a time, the Browns were 3-2 this season. Take the Steelers!
New York Jets (7-8) at Miami Dolphins (8-7) - Can the Jets spoil the Dolphins' post-season hopes? Not likely.
Detroit Lions (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (4-11-1) - This should be the final game for Lions Head Coach Jim Schwartz after another monumental collapse this season.
Buffalo Bills (6-9) at New England Patriots (11-4) - The Patriots are gearing up for the playoffs and should roll in the season finale.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) at New Orleans Saints (10-5) - The Saints are undefeated at home this season and with a win on Sunday, will make the playoffs. Saints roll!
Washington Redskins (3-12) at New York Giants (6-9) - Two of this year's biggest disappointments finish up the season.
San Francisco 49ers (11-4) at Arizona Cardinals (10-5) - Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians should be a lock for his second consecutive NFL Coach of the Year Award. Just getting to where they are now has been a huge accomplishment for the Cards... The 49ers are playoff bound.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) at San Diego Chargers (8-7) - The Chargers need a win at home and some help to reach the playoffs for the first time in four years. The Chiefs may rest their starters as they are locked in at the number-five spot for the AFC playoffs.
St. Louis Rams (7-8) at Seattle Seahawks (12-3) - The Seahawks should win this game and secure home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
Denver Broncos (12-3) at Oakland Raiders (4-11) - Broncos' QB Peyton Manning adds to his already record setting season in this game as the Broncos roll and clinch home field for the AFC playoffs.
Green Bay Packers (7-7-1) at Chicago Bears (8-7) - This game should light up the scoreboard and may very well come down to the final possession of the game. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns for the Packers and that gives them the edge here.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) at Dallas Cowboys (8-7) - Hard to believe the Cowboys will win this one without QB Tony Romo. The Eagles are looking like they are peaking at just the right time of the year.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Seventeen . . . . . (Home teams are listed in BOLD; The Lock of the Week pick is listed in BOLD CAPS.)
Carolina over Atlanta
Cincinnati over Baltimore
Tennessee over Houston
Indianapolis over Jacksonville
Pittsburgh over Cleveland
Miami over NY Jets
Detroit over Minnesota
New England over Buffalo
NEW ORLEANS over Tampa Bay
NY Giants over Washington
San Francisco over Arizona
San Diego over Kansas City
Seattle over St. Louis
Denver over Oakland
Green Bay over Chicago
Philadelphia over Dallas
Last Week's Record: 12-4
SEASON RECORD: 154-85-1
Lock of the Week Record: 14-2
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