NFL playoff scenarios

The Vikings (8-6) can't clinch a wild-card playoff spot Sunday, nor can they be eliminated from the playoffs. With final games at Houston (12-2) and against Green Bay (10-4), the Vikings have the NFL's toughest closing schedule.

• Vikings would win tiebreaker with Chicago because of a better division record.

• Vikings would lose tiebreaker with Washington or Seattle based on head-to-head meetings.

• Vikings' chances probably hinge on what happens in NFC East, where three teams are 8-6.

• Washington and Dallas play each other in Week 17, so either team would claim the East title by winning out.

• Giants can earn at least a wild-card spot by winning out. If Vikings and Giants both go 10-6, Giants would win the tiebreaker (better record in conference games).

• Vikings could make playoffs if they lose Sunday, then beat Green Bay if: Washington wins NFC East; Dallas and Chicago lose at least once; Giants lose twice.

Atlanta (13-2) clinched top seed and first-round bye with its victory over Detroit on Saturday.

San Francisco (10-3-1) can clinch West with a win. Can clinch first-round bye with win and G.B. loss.

Washington (8-6) can clinch playoff spot with a win and losses by the Giants, Chicago, Vikings.

Seattle (9-5) can clinch playoff spot with a win; or if Vikings, Chicago and Washington all lose; or if Vikings, Chicago and Dallas lose.

N.Y. Giants (8-6) can clinch playoff spot with win, and losses by Chicago, Vikings, Dallas, Washington.

St. Louis (6-7-1), Chicago (8-6) and New Orleans (6-8) could be eliminated.

They're in: New England (East champ), Denver (West champ), Houston (South champ), Baltimore (at least a wild card) have clinched four of six playoff berths.

Houston (12-2) can clinch first-round bye with a win, or losses by either New England or Denver.

Denver (11-3) can clinch first-round bye with a win and a New England loss.

Indianapolis (9-5) can clinch playoff spot with a win or a Pittsburgh loss.