And now, just the way NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell drew it up: playoff fates on the line on the last Sunday of the regular season.
The one-game seasons:
Eagles (9-6) at Cowboys (8-7), 8:30 p.m.
The winner of the Cowboys-Eagles game will win the NFC East.
Brace yourself with countless television shots of an anxiety-riddled Jerry Jones. Jason Garrett’s job is on the line, as is Tony Romo’s legacy: Will he shrink to the occasion in the season finale for the third straight season? Or, with his back barking, can he build off his last-second heroics in Sunday’s 24-23 victory over the Redskins?
Chip Kelly, Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy didn’t get the memo that their game against the Bears meant nothing — they won, 54-11. Foles was knocked out of the Eagles’ 17-3 Week 7 loss to the Cowboys with a concussion, but has grown in leaps and bounds since then, and no way Monte Kiffin should expect a repeat.
Romo is 1-6 in win-or-go-home games since 2006.
“When your team is good enough,” Romo said, “you’ll knock down that door.” He better be the one knocking.
Packers (7-7-1) at Bears (8-7), 1 p.m.
The winner of the Bears-Packers game will win the NFC North.
Does Green Bay GM Ted Thompson risk his franchise (player), quarterback Aaron Rodgers, out since Week 9 with a fractured collarbone, to beat a hated rival, especially now with Clay Matthews (thumb) likely out?
49ers (10-4) at Cardinals (10-5), 4:25 p.m.
The 49ers clinch a playoff spot with a home win Monday night against the 4-10 Falcons. The Cardinals clinch a playoff spot with a win and a 49ers loss Monday or a Saints loss Sunday (against the Bucs at the Superdome).
Ravens (8-7) at Bengals (10-5), 1 p.m.
The Ravens need a loss by the Dolphins or Chargers. The Ravens also can get in with a loss if the Dolphins, Chargers and Steelers all lose.
Don’t expect Marvin Lewis to rest players with the division title clinched — the Bengals will secure the second seed with a win and an unlikely Patriots loss at home to the Bills.
Chiefs (11-4) at Chargers (8-7), 4:25 p.m.
The Chargers need losses by the Ravens and Dolphins.
The Bolts need to win their fourth straight.
“No one wants to play us right now, that’s for sure,” San Diego safety Eric Weddle said.
Jets (7-8) at Dolphins (8-7), 1 p.m.
The Dolphins need a Chargers win or a Ravens loss.
Always the possibility the Jets would want to send Rex Ryan out in style. Muhammad Wilkerson will be pleased to know the Bills sacked Ryan Tannehill seven times.
Browns (4-11) at Steelers (7-8), 1 p.m.
The Steelers need losses by the Ravens, Dolphins and Chargers.
One out of 16 possible scenarios lands the Steelers in the postseason. A win and 8-8 finish will be enough to earn an invite to the Tournament only if the Bengals beat the Ravens, the Chargers lose to the Chiefs and Dolphins lose to the Jets.
More playoff picture
AFC
— All four divisions have been decided with the Broncos clinching the West, the Patriots the East, and the Bengals the North and the Colts the South.
— The Broncos and Patriots still can clinch the top seed.
— Only the wild-card Chiefs are locked into a seed (No. 5)
NFC
— Only the Seahawks and Panthers have clinched playoff spots, though neither has clinched a division title. Both clinch their division with a win Sunday.
— The Saints clinch a playoff spot with a win or a Cardinals loss or two 49ers losses.