Packers/Bears selected for Sunday night; wild chase for playoffs

Football Betting Lines

12/26/2006 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NFL has moved this coming Sunday night's game between Green Bay and the Chicago Bears to 8:15 p.m. (et) as part of the flexible scheduling system.

There were other games moved back to later in the afternoon, as the NFL gears up for a frantic finish to the regular season. Incredibly, six teams are fighting for two playoff spots in the AFC and five clubs are battling for the final berth in the NFC.

Also as part of the flex scheduling, the Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles games will move to 4:15 p.m. (et). All three of those contests have playoff implications.

Going into the final week, the New York Jets, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Denver and Kansas City are all battling for the last two playoff spots in the AFC, although the Broncos and Jets control their own destiny.

Meanwhile, in the NFC, the New York Giants, Green Bay, Carolina, Atlanta and St. Louis are tangling for the final playoff spot, but New York holds a decided advantage going into Week 17.

The New Year's Eve battle at Soldier Field between the NFC North rivals could mark the final game for Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who still hasn't announced if he's decided to retire following this season.

The Bears have already clinched the division title and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs, but the Packers could know by Sunday night if they're still in the postseason race. One of five teams at 7-8 in the NFC, the Packers need to win their final game, and get help elsewhere, to have a chance.

Considering the Packers were crushed, 26-0 at home by the Bears in the first week of the season, it could be difficult at best for Favre and company to pull out a win, although Green Bay has won its last three games.

Elsewhere in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles control their own fortune to win the East following a 23-7 road victory Christmas Day over the Cowboys. The Eagles can win the division with a victory versus the Falcons, or if the Cowboys lose earlier in the day at home to Detroit.

Despite losing six of their last seven games, the Giants could get into the playoffs, likely with just a win over the Redskins. A New York triumph, plus a strength of victory tiebreaker over Green Bay puts the Giants into the playoffs. New York could still get in with a defeat, but only if Green Bay, St. Louis, Atlanta and Carolina all lose.

Most of Sunday's NFC playoff scenarios would be eliminated if the Giants simply win Saturday night. A New York triumph would knock out Carolina, Atlanta and St. Louis.

In the AFC, the Jets, coming off a 13-10 win at Miami Christmas night, can get a wild card berth with a home win over Oakland. If the Jets somehow lose to the 2-13 Raiders, they could still back in with losses from other teams.

Denver can also get a wild card spot with a home win over San Francisco or with a loss from the Chiefs.

That leaves Cincinnati, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Kansas City on the outside looking in. The Bengals need to win at home against Pittsburgh, and get a loss from the Jets to get in. Cincinnati can also make the postseason with a win, combined with loss from Denver and Jacksonville.

The Jaguars and Chiefs play each other in Kansas City, but the winner of that game would have to get losses from three other teams to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Titans, a dangerous team with six straight wins under the superior play of rookie quarterback Vince Young, have to win at home against the AFC East champion Patriots, and then get losses from Cincinnati, Denver and Jacksonville.

Playoff seed positioning is still up for grabs and it'll all be decided from the late afternoon games. At 13-2, AFC West champion San Diego is currently the top seed in the conference. A Chargers win at home against Arizona would secure that No. 1 seed, but a loss, combined with a Baltimore win at home over Buffalo would give the Ravens the top slot.

The AFC South champion Colts, losers in three of their last four games, still can get a first-round bye with a win, combined with a loss by the Ravens.

There are only two games the final weekend with no playoff implications: Cleveland/Houston, and Seattle/Tampa Bay. The Seahawks have already won the NFC West and cannot get a bye. Chicago and New Orleans have locked up first- round passes in the NFC.