Dec 9th 2008 10:00AM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Colts, Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Falcons, Jets, Panthers, Patriots, Steelers, VikingsBefore we know it, the NFL regular season is going to be done. Three more weeks and there will be no scenarios to map out and no hypotheticals to think through.

But for now, the Jets’ collapse and the Cowboys, Bucs and Falcons’ losses make for a very jumbled playoff picture.

Here’s the short-hand version, with a chart to help.

The AFC has five spots largely settled, with the loser of the Ravens/Steelers AFC North battle still likely to win the second wild card spot while Indianapolis is almost assured of the first wild card spot. The truly tense race is in the AFC East, where three teams are battling for one spot. New England is in bad shape, as they could win out and still be stuck at home come playoff time.
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