The Los Angeles Raiders need a win or a tie. The Green Bay Packers will take a win. And the New York Giants need a win and a win.
It's time to try to fit nine pounds of NFL teams into a six-pound bag. That's how many teams are left fighting for postseason berths, and that's how many playoff spots they'll divide among them after the final weekend of the regular season."This is the last game on the docket," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "We've known we had to win in December, and we have."
There are 12 games today because of the Christmas holiday, and five of them have playoff significance: Kansas City at the Raiders, Green Bay at Tampa Bay, Dallas at the New York Giants, New England at Chicago, and Arizona at Atlanta.
The rest of Saturday's schedule has Buffalo at Indianapolis, Philadelphia at Cincinnati, Seattle at Cleveland, New Orleans at Denver, the New York Jets at Houston, Pittsburgh at San Diego, and Washington at the Los Angeles Rams.
Detroit will be battling for another playoff spot Sunday at Miami, and Minnesota's postseason is at stake in the Monday night game against San Francisco.
Saturday's games
Chiefs (8-7) at Raiders (9-6)
The Raiders can clinch a wild card spot with a win or tie, or a loss by New England. The Chiefs need a win, or they're out. And that's all that's on the mind of Kansas City quarterback Joe Montana, who might quit after this season.
"We're right in the middle of a race to make the playoffs," Montana said. "Why would I want to distract from that even if I had decided? And I haven't."
The Chiefs have won nine of their last 10 against the Raiders.
Packers (8-7) at Buccaneers (6-9)
Tampa Bay has won four in a row, and suddenly the Packers can't count on cruising into the playoffs. With the NFC Central crown still up for grabs, Green Bay is in the playoffs if it wins. It can also lose and get into the postseason if the Cardinals and Giants lose.
"Obviously I'd rather play a team that's not on the roll that Tampa Bay is at this point," Packers coach Mike Holmgren said.
To claim the division title, the Packers have to win and Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota have to lose.
Cowboys (12-3) at Giants (8-7)
The Giants need not only a win or a tie, but a Green Bay loss - and that puts Giants QB Dave Brown on the spot against the defending Super Bowl champions.
"I think that our whole team just wants to get out there and get this thing over with," Brown said. "Are we good enough to go out there and compete and get a playoff berth or are we not? . . . Maybe we can go out there and show everybody."
Patriots (9-6) at Bears (9-6)
The Patriots and Bears are in similar positions. New England can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie, or if Kansas City loses. Chicago needs a win, but also can clinch with a tie if certain other complicated possibilities are met.
If the Bears tie, they need either a Green Bay loss or tie, or a Minnesota win or tie, or a Giants win, or an Arizona loss or tie.
Cardinals (8-7) at Falcons (6-9)
Arizona's situation also is a little complex. First, the Cardinals need to win, or all bets are off. Then, they need a Giants loss or tie and a Green Bay loss or tie. Or, a Minnesota loss and a win by Detroit, Chicago or Green Bay.
Jay Schroeder will start at quarterback for Arizona despite a sprained left knee.
"Unless he gets run over by a car or falls in a heap, he'll be the starter," Cardinals coach Buddy Ryan said.
Bills (7-8) at Colts (7-8)
Both teams are out of the playoffs, and around the Buffalo locker room, that's a strange feeling. The Bills were on the losing side of the last four Super Bowls, so, look at the bright side: It's a chance to finally end a season with a win.
"It's been real disappointing, not just to myself but to everybody on the team," said Pete Metzelaars, ending his 13th year with the Bills and his first since 1987 without a playoff trip.
Eagles (7-8) at Bengals (2-13)
Again, nothing at stake here, which is a little strange for the Eagles, who started 7-2. Six consecutive losses, however, have ruined it all.
Seahawks (6-9) at Browns (10-5)
The Browns already have clinched a wild-card playoff spot, but home field is at stake. Cleveland will host its first playoff game with a win or tie, or if the Raiders lose or tie.
"We've had two tough road games back-to-back, and it's been hostile," Browns offensive tackle Tony Jones said. "We need to win this week to get the next game at home."
Saints (6-9) at Broncos (7-8)
Neither team is playoff bound, but Saints QB Jim Everett could be bound for the team's record book again. He already has set team records for completions (323) and attempts (513), and needs 215 yards to add to his 3,512 total for another one. His current 63 percent completion rate would be another Saints record.
Jets (6-9) at Oilers (1-14)
This is Houston's final chance this season to break an 11-game losing streak. To do so, the Oilers would have to extend the Jets' losing string to five.
Jeff Fisher, 0-5 as Oilers coach since replacing Jack Pardee, is ready.
"I'm looking forward to directing the team to a win," Fisher said. "If we win, you might hear something very creative."
Steelers (12-3) at Chargers (10-5)
These teams have clinched their divisions. Now, San Diego is jockeying for position. The Chargers could clinch a first-round bye with a win. Pittsburgh already has done that - and more, assured also of the home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Redskins (2-13) at Rams (4-11)
This could be the Rams' final game in Los Angeles. Word is, the Rams will be in St. Louis next year, and former Rams pass catcher Henry Ellard, now with Washington, thinks it sounds funny to say St. Louis Rams.
"If they change the color of the uniforms or anything like that, it's really going to be strange," Ellard said.