Sunday viewing guide: What's at stake for every team in the NFL playoff mix?

The NFL hoped a seventh playoff spot in each conference would make for increased drama near the end of the season, and it got its wish. Only seven teams have clinched playoff berths heading into the final Sunday of the 2020 campaign. With numerous postseason spots available for the taking, here's what's at stake for every team in the mix.

All times Eastern.

AFC1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) Jamie Squire / Getty Images Sport / Getty

vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m.

Nothing to worry about: Thanks to their 14-1 record, the Chiefs will get to enjoy a Sunday of relaxation. Kansas City already clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed, and head coach Andy Reid is planning to rest some starters for the season finale against the Chargers. With a first-round bye locked up, it sounds like it will be two weeks before we see Patrick Mahomes back in action.

2. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m.

Secure No. 2 seed: The Bills can't catch the Chiefs, but Sean McDermott's squad still has some business to take care of to hold down its current standing. Though a loss to the Dolphins in the season finale won't destroy Buffalo's chances of clinching the AFC's second seed, a victory will both accomplish that goal and complicate the playoff picture for a division rival.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-3)

@ Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m.

Overtake the Bills: The Steelers can finish no worse than third, but they're still within striking distance of the Bills. Despite the opportunity to move up, however, Pittsburgh seems content with its current position; head coach Mike Tomlin has already said that more than a few starters, including Ben Roethlisberger, will rest for the finale against the Browns.

4. Tennessee Titans (10-5) Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport / Getty

@ Houston Texans, 4:25 p.m.

Clinch the AFC South, or else: Only one man stands between the Titans and a division title: Deshaun Watson. Tennessee's simplest path to a playoff spot is to beat the Texans, but failure to do so could make things messy.

The Titans can still win the AFC South without a win, provided the Colts also lose. Failing that, Tennessee will also clinch a playoff spot with a loss by the Ravens or Dolphins.

5. Miami Dolphins (10-5)

@ Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m.

Win and in: The Dolphins avoided slipping out of the playoff picture thanks to some late heroics from Ryan Fitzpatrick. The club will now hand the ball back to Tua Tagovailoa and ask the rookie to beat the Bills to lock up a playoff spot. That's hardly a light task for the young signal-caller, and if Miami isn't victorious, it will need a loss by the Ravens, Browns, or Colts to clinch.

6. Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

@ Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.

Hold the fort: Once on the outside looking in, the Ravens have jumped back into the mix thanks to a four-game winning streak. Perhaps the one wild-card team no one is looking forward to playing, Baltimore can pencil in a third consecutive playoff appearance with a triumph over the Bengals.

Tiebreakers over the Browns and Colts could also come in handy should the Bengals upset the Ravens; a loss for Cleveland or Indianapolis will secure a postseason trip for John Harbaugh's squad.

7. Cleveland Browns (10-5) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m.

Slipping but still in control: No one said ending the league's longest playoff drought would be easy. A week after looking poised for a postseason run, the Browns are desperately hanging on following COVID-19 issues and a loss to the Jets.

The good news for Cleveland is that it still has a few paths to its first playoff appearance since 2002. The simplest route is a win over the resting Steelers, who will start Mason Rudolph under center. A Colts loss to the Jaguars will also do the trick, but things will get bleak if both options fall through.

The final possibility for the playoff-starved Browns is to pray for further tiebreakers and hope the Titans lose while the Ravens and Dolphins both win.

Indianapolis Colts (10-5)

vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:25 p.m.

Help needed: In the words of former Colts head coach Jim Mora, "Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs." Indianapolis got caught looking ahead to the postseason before blowing a 17-point lead to the Steelers in Week 16, knocking the club to the edge of the playoff picture. The Colts' outlook may be troubling, but there is still a glimmer of hope - although the team will need a favor or two.

Indianapolis can still take the AFC South crown by beating the Jaguars and banking on a Titans loss. If that doesn't work out, a win by the Colts plus a loss by any of the three wild-card teams ahead of them will also see Indianapolis make the postseason.

For any of this to be possible, though, the Colts must right their wrongs and defeat Jacksonville, a team they lost to in the season opener.

NFC1. Green Bay Packers (12-3)

@ Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m.

One last push for home field: The Packers have won seven of their last eight, but their work isn't done yet. With Green Bay needing a win to clinch the NFC's No. 1 seed, don't expect the Packers to take it easy against the Bears this Sunday. Aaron Rodgers will likely be going full throttle as he aims for his second consecutive 13-3 finish.

2. New Orleans Saints (11-4) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

@ Carolina Panthers, 4:25 p.m.

Reclaim No. 1 seed: The Saints will have to keep their eyes glued to their opponents and the scoreboard if they want a first-round bye. New Orleans' recipe for taking the top spot requires a win against the Panthers, a Packers loss, and a Seahawks victory. A three-way tie at 12-4 launches the Saints to first in the conference thanks to tiebreakers.

It's an improbable scenario, but Saints fans will surely be proclaiming "never say never" throughout the weekend.

3. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)

@ San Francisco 49ers, 4:25 p.m.

Leapfrog the Packers and Saints: The Seahawks already have the luxury of the No. 3 seed, but a few miracles could see the club snatch the conference's top spot. Russell Wilson must first make quick work of the 49ers, and then it all comes down to the Bears and Panthers.

If Chicago can knock off Green Bay and the severely hamstrung Panthers can play spoiler against the Saints, then the Seahawks - assuming they beat San Francisco - will reign atop the NFC.

4. Washington Football Team (6-9)

@ Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m.

A trip to the postseason or a trip home: It's do-or-die time for Washington. It may not be pretty, but this team can limp to the postseason despite owning a 6-9 record. All it needs to do is beat Jalen Hurts and the Eagles in front of the world on Sunday Night Football.

While Washington has reacted well to change this season - at one point dipping to its fourth-string quarterback - there's no plan B for Ron Rivera's group come Sunday. A loss means the winner of the Giants-Cowboys matchup will be the 2020 NFC East champion.

5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5) Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.

Secure a playoff game vs. NFC East: There's likely never been a better time to be the fifth seed in the NFC. If the red-hot Buccaneers can ground the Falcons, they'll be licking their chops ahead of a playoff game against an opponent with a losing record.

6. Los Angeles Rams (9-6)

vs. Arizona Cardinals, 4:25 p.m.

Two roads remain: Los Angeles' playoff hopes could come down to a quarterback who hasn't played an NFL snap. That's not the most confidence-inducing statement, but there is another way in for the Rams.

If John Wolford can't win and produce an ending that seems more appropriate for a Hollywood script than the NFL, the Rams will need the Bears to lose to Green Bay. A win by Chicago complimented by a Rams loss signals a long winter for L.A.

7. Chicago Bears (8-7)

vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m.

Find a way to win or risk missing out: If Mitch Trubisky can lead Chicago to the playoffs by beating the Packers on Sunday, maybe Bears fans will drop the bust label. OK, maybe not. But Trubisky has been on fire lately, and he'll have to bring his best when it matters most.

The Bears are one win from clinching, a scenario that seemed like a distant dream a month ago. But dire consequences could await if the moment proves too big. If the Bears drop their season finale, they'll be counting on a severely depleted Rams offense to stun the Cardinals and get Chicago back to the postseason.

Arizona Cardinals (8-7) Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / Getty

@ Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m.

Sneak past the Bears: Arizona opted for a difficult playoff path after squandering the last wild-card spot with an upset loss to the 49ers. Luckily, the Cardinals haven't surrendered control of their destiny. After taking the tougher road a week ago, Arizona can make things easy on itself this time around: The Cardinals need only to beat the Rams to reserve a spot to the NFL's exclusive postseason tournament.

Dallas Cowboys (6-9)

@ New York Giants, 1 p.m.

Division title in sight: Somehow, someway, the Cowboys have a realistic chance to end the season as division champions. Despite the loss of their star quarterback and the turmoil that plagued the team to begin the year, Dallas only needs to catch a few more breaks to make the postseason.

First, the Cowboys must travel to MetLife Stadium and defeat the Giants in a winner-take-all matchup. From there, Dallas fans will have to do the unspeakable and root for the Eagles to conquer Washington.

New York Giants (5-10)

vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.

How to book a home postseason game: It definitely isn't pretty, but a 5-10 football team has more than a fighting chance to not only make the playoffs but host a game on Wild Card Weekend.

The Giants' formula for a postseason appearance is almost identical to that of the Cowboys: win their finale and then hope the Eagles can take down Washington. If all goes according to plan, a 6-10 club will have snuck its way into the postseason.

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