Fighting for Position

The NFC

Favorites: Winners of 10 straight, the Seahawks have shown themselves to be the class of the NFC with an offense ranked second overall in yards and points per game. They have MVP candidate Shaun Alexander in the backfield, and they are getting healthy at just the right time. The most notable addition is wide receiver Darrell Jackson , who is back in the starting lineup after missing nine games because of a knee injury. ... The Giants can win the NFC East with a victory over the Redskins on Saturday. They played Seattle tough in a 24-21 overtime loss in Week 12 and appear to be peaking despite the inconsistency of quarterback Eli Manning . ... The Bears are one of the biggest surprises in the league and have the inside track on the No. 2 seed because of their 9-1 conference record... The Panthers have a one-game lead in the NFC South and would be the fourth seed if the playoffs began today.

In the Mix: The Buccaneers are coming off three straight road games, going 2-1 over that stretch, and close the season with consecutive home games against the Falcons and Saints. Tampa Bay is 2-0 against those teams on the road this season and has the best chance of being the fifth seed . ... After a poor start, the Vikings have won six of seven after thanks in large part to Brad Johnson . Johnson, 37, knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl as the only quarterback who has started and won a title among this season's crop of NFC playoff hopefuls . ... The Falcons have an outside chance at reaching the playoffs but need help. They are 0-2 against the Bucs and Panthers, both ahead of them in the division, though Atlanta finishes at Tampa Bay and at home against Carolina... The Cowboys are all but done for the season. They need to win their final two games and get plenty of help. Their running game has fallen on hard times, and they have been most effective throwing deep. That's not exactly Coach Bill Parcells's formula for winning.

X-Factor: The Redskins have won three straight games and have a chance at winning the NFC East with games against the Giants and Eagles remaining. They are playing classic Joe Gibbs football, stressing the run and passing at opportune times to keep defenses off-balance.

The AFC

Favorites: Despite their bid for a perfect season ending yesterday with a 26-17 loss to the Chargers, the Colts, who have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs , remain the team to beat. The pressure of going undefeated is off, meaning Coach Tony Dungy can feel a bit more comfortable resting his starters with nothing to play for in the final two games. ... The Broncos may be the second best team in the league behind Indianapolis. They have won six of seven games and are seeking the No. 2 seed. The Broncos are the only team in the AFC that is undefeated at home . ... The Bengals, who also have a chance to be the No. 2 seed, won the AFC North a division title for the first time since 1990 and have an offense almost as dangerous as the Colts'. Quarterback Carson Palmer has emerged as perhaps the best young quarterback in the league, and the defense is opportunistic. ... The Patriots appeared headed for the fourth seed and could meet the Colts in the conference semifinals if they get by their first-round opponent .

In the Mix: The Jaguars might be battling for a division title if they were not in the AFC South with the Colts . They are the No. 5 seed and quietly have gone 10-4 . ... The Steelers are in a fight for the final wild-card berth but have to feel confident after an 18-3 road win over the Vikings. ... The Chiefs are reeling after two straight losses and need plenty of help.

X-Factor: Chasing a wild-card berth, the Chargers are probably the most difficult to team to figure. At times they look like one of the best in the league, and with standouts such as LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates, it's easy to understand why. But some weeks, they appear uninspired and ill-prepared.

Where the NFC Stands

A look at how the playoff pictures is shaping up through yesterday's games.

Division Leaders
1. Seattle (12-2)
2. Chicago (10-4)
3. New York (10-4)
4. Carolina (10-4)

Wild Cards
5. Tampa Bay (9-5)
6. Washington (8-6)

Still Alive
7. Minnesota (8-6)
8. Dallas (8-6)
9. Atlanta (8-6)

Eliminated
10. Philadelphia (6-8)
11. St. Louis (6-9)
12. Detroit (4-10)
13. Arizona (4-10)
14. Green Bay (3-10)
15. New Orleans (3-11)
16. San Francisco (2-12)

Where the AFC Stands

A look at how the playoff pictures is shaping up through yesterday's games.

Division Leaders
1. Indianapolis (13-1)
2. Denver (11-3)
3. Cincinnati (11-3)
4. New England (9-5)

Wild Cards
5. Jacksonville (10-4)
6. Pittsburgh (9-5)

Still Alive
7. San Diego (9-5)
8. Kansas City (8-6)

Eliminated
9. Miami (7-7)
10. Tennessee (4-10)
11. Cleveland (5-9)
12. Baltimore (4-9)
13. Oakland (4-10)
14. Buffalo (4-10)
15. New York (3-11)
16. Houston (2-12)