More than a dozen teams plunge into the penultimate week of NFL action on Sunday seeking to cement their playoff status.
With two weeks remaining, four teams have punched their post-season tickets, although only the Indianapolis Colts have clinched a division crown.
Denver, led by the incomparable Peyton Manning, can clinch the AFC West division title and a first-round bye with a victory at Houston on Sunday.
Manning, a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has put himself squarely in the frame for another MVP award with a stellar season that has him just four touchdown passes away from surpassing the single-season record of 50 TD throws set by Tom Brady in 2007. Manning is also closing in on the single-season record of 5,476 passing yards.
Manning insists his focus remains on beating the Texans and securing the best possible post-season position for his team, not on awards or records. The Broncos are tied atop the division with the playoff-bound Kansas City Chiefs, so that means they must bounce back from a surprising loss to San Diego last week.
"We got whipped in a lot of areas," Manning said of that shocker. "I would hope that we respond to that loss with a better performance this week."
The Broncos also have home field advantage throughout the playoffs in their sights, if Brady and the Patriots -- vying to secure the AFC East -- fall to reigning Super Bowl champions Baltimore.
The Chiefs, who have made a remarkable turnaround from a last-place finish in their division last season, face a tough home test against the Colts.
Three other teams that finished last or tied for last in their divisions last season are currently tied for first -- Philadelphia in the NFC East and New Orleans and Carolina in the NFC South.
New Orleans and Carolina can go a long way toward settling things when they meet at the Panthers' home in Charlotte.
The Saints halted the Panthers' club-best eight-game winning streak in New Orleans a fortnight ago and a win will give them the NFC South title along with a first-round bye. A win for the Panthers would assure them of at least a wild card spot.
"We know what we're playing for -- we're playing for the divisional championship and the two seed so it doesn't get any bigger or better than that," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said.
Seattle, a perfect 6-0 at home, can secure the NFC West title and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a home win over Arizona or if the San Francisco 49ers lose to Atlanta in the final Monday night game of the season.
The Chicago Bears have a chance to secure the NFC North title this weekend, but Green Bay and Detroit also remain in a race that could come down to the final week.
Chicago needs a victory at Philadelphia combined with losses by Detroit and Green Bay. The Packers, who erased a 23-point half-time deficit to beat the Cowboys last week, host Pittsburgh while Detroit host the New York Giants.
The Eagles, meanwhile, can lock up the NFC East with a win over the Bears and a Cowboys loss at Washington.
Cincinnati, trying to maintain control of the AFC North with the surging Ravens breathing down their necks, host Minnesota. If both Cincinnati and Baltimore falter, the Miami Dolphins could earn a playoff berth with a win at Buffalo.
Other games find Tampa Bay at St. Louis, Cleveland at the New York Jets, Tennessee at Jacksonville and Oakland at San Diego.
Source: DSG
