Sunday School: Browns, Titans Assume Spoiler's Role as Season Ends

Filed under: 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Bengals, Bills, Broncos, Browns, Buccaneers, Chargers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Jaguars, Jets, Lions, Giants, Packers, Panthers, Patriots, Raiders, Rams, Ravens, Redskins, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans, Titans, Vikings, AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, AFC West, NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West, NFL Playoffs

The NFL's playoff permutations at this time of year usually are pretty complex, with one team making the playoffs if it wins and three others lose and the fourth loses, or ties.

This season it's pretty simple. The six NFC teams are nearly set -- New Orleans is a virtual certainty, and Green Bay will have to beat Chicago to clinch a spot. The six AFC teams also are pretty much set -- provided the Colts win on Sunday. But two season finales in the AFC should be more than interesting.

Though both games are against teams with good records and teams with poor records, the games are far from gimmes.

And the stakes in each game are huge.

Consider Pittsburgh. With a win at Cleveland, the Steelers are in the playoffs with a bye, a hugely advantageous spot. Lose and they well could be a wild card team, without a bye and looking at having to win three in a row on the road.

Then consider Indianapolis. Win against Tennessee and the Colts are in the playoffs. Lose and they could be out.

Both these games are your basic for-the-marbles scenarios because a loss could doom the team to the hardest possible way to the Super Bowl or to a non-playoff season.

Chandra West Kasey Chambers Megan Ewing Kristanna Loken Aubrey ODay