All six of the AFC playoff teams have been decided, so there is little drama going on in that conference other than with seeding. As for the NFC though, only four teams have clinched the possible six playoff spots. Coming into the final week, there are five teams competing for just the two playoff spots.
The Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and the Chicago Bears all still have a chance to make the postseason.
Of those five, there are three that control their own destiny. They would be the Redskins, Cowboys, and Vikings.
The NFC East division title will be at stake between Dallas and Washington when they face off against each other on Sunday night in Week 17. The Cowboys will be eliminated from playoff race with a loss, while the redskins could still find a way in if they lose.
As for the Vikings, they have a tough matchup against the Green Bay Packers, who are still looking for a win to lock up the No.2 seed in the NFC and receive a first round bye. Minnesota will be in the playoffs with a win, but a loss would kick them out.
The other two teams, the Bears and the Giants, need some help. It would start with losses by the Cowboys and the Vikings. But New York would actually need Chicago to lose as well. So as you can see, there are still quite a few outcomes that could take place in the NFC playoff race.
This makes Week 17 very exciting, as there will be many games to pay attention too.
And even out in the AFC, the seeding could make for some compelling storylines as well. New England, Houston, and Denver are still all in line for one of the top-two seeds in the conference to get that critical first-round Bye.
Sometimes the final week of the NFL season can be boring, but 2012 is definitely not one of those cases.