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Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola (51) hugs teammate wide receiver Calvin Johnson during the closing minutes of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. The Lions clinched a playoff spot with a 38-10 win. Carlos Osorio, Associated Press
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New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz smiles from the bench during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against New York Jets, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 29-14. Julio Cortez, Associated Press
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Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril (92) reacts after scoring a touchdown on an interception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. The Lions won 38-10. Carlos Osorio, Associated Press
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A fan holds a sign for the Detroit Lions making the playoffs in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Detroit, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. Detroit won 38-10 to clinch a playoff spot. Rick Osentoski, Associated Press
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates his touchdown with teammate wide receiver Wes Welker (83) during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Saturday, Dec. 24, 2 Charles Krupa, Associated Press
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., Saturday Dec. 24, 2011. Charles Krupa, Associated Press
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New York Giants' Brandon Jacobs (27) celebrates after their 29-14 win over the New York Jets in an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in East Rutherford, N.J. Julio Cortez, Associated Press
By Associated Press

The Detroit Lions have made the NFL playoffs for the first time in 12 years, earning an NFC wild-card berth by beating San Diego 38-10, knocking the Chargers from contention Saturday.

New England, which already owns the AFC East title, grabbed a first-round bye with a 27-24 comeback victory against Miami. The Patriots (12-3) will have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if they beat Buffalo next week.

The New York Giants beat the local rival Jets 29-14 to tie Dallas at 8-7 atop the NFC East. The Cowboys, who lost 20-7 to Philadelphia, visit the Giants next Sunday night, with the winner taking the division, the loser going home.

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Denver's 40-14 loss at Buffalo dropped it into a tie atop the AFC West with Oakland, which beat Kansas City 16-13 in overtime.

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