Thursday's nap-inducing, 6-3 win for the Seattle Seahawks over the Chicago Bears didn't do much to change the overall playoff picture around the NFL,

However, if the Seahawks win, things won't be so easy. The Rams would still be able to clinch the NFC West this week, but in what is easily the craziest playoff-clinching scenario of Week 17, they would potentially need some help from multiple AFC teams ...

What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference's seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday,

The Denver Broncos will clinch a playoff spot with one week remaining in the regular season if they defeat the Cincinnati Bengals on the road Saturday. The victory, if it happens, would come nine years to the day after the Broncos clinched their last postseason appearance

The Denver Broncos have another chance to clinch a playoff spot when the 9-6 team faces the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday

The Denver Broncos are in good shape to contend for one of the two remaining playoff spots in the AFC. The Bengals are on the bubble and in danger of missing out.