Seven games early, let's start with the important ones:

Titans Topple Steelers 31-14: Turnovers kill a team quicker than anything else, and that was the case here.  Ben Roethlisberger lost two fumbles and threw two INTs, which led to the Titans beating the Steelers.  For as much Steeler love was going around heading into the game, the Titans would like to remind everyone that they are the class of the AFC.  And they've earned the #1 seed at 13-2.  Pittsburgh is 11-4, and will be the #2 seed regardless of next week.

Dolphins Win 38-31 Scoring Duel Over KC: It was a high scoring battle, and once again, turnovers was the decider.  The Chiefs had 4 giveaways, the Dolphins had 2.  The Chiefs had two chances late in the 4th, but ended up with a turnover on downs and an INT thrown.  The Dolphins move to 10-5, and the Chiefs are 2-13.

Patriots Crush Cardinals 47-7: Once again, it's obvious that the Cardinals are going to get absolutely crushed in the playoffs.  New England destroyed them on all sides of the ball, and the Patriots kept their season alive with the win moving to 10-5.  The Cardinals are 8-7

Buccaneers Continue To Fail, Lose to Chargers 41-24: The Buccaneers simply don't want to be in the playoffs.  Their 3rd straight loss doesn't eliminate them at 9-6, but they need the Falcons and/or Eagles to lose.  Phillip Rivers destroyed the Buc D, throwing 4 TDs.  San Diego can still get in, but the Broncos have to find a way to lose to the crappy Bills, and then San Diego has to win next week.

And the not so important...

Bengals Beat Browns 14-0: This win really does nothing but hurt the Bengals draft position.  Fun stat of the day; the Bengals threw 9 passes the whole game, and Cedric Benson had 38 carries.  Wow.  Bengals are 3-11-1, Browns are 4-11. 

Saints Flatten Lions: The Lions lost.  All remains right with the world.  Even at 8-7, the Saints are still out, and the Lions are now a pathetic 0-15.

Rams/49ers: I'm not even going to waste my time with this one.

Four of the five late games have some sort of impact on the playoff picture.  With the early games done, let's look at the updated playoff picture.

In the NFC, a Vikings win clinches the division for them, regardless of what the Bears do.  The only way the Bears win the division is if they win their last two, and the Vikings lose their last two.  A win also would give the Vikings the #3 seed, giving the Cardinals the #4 seed.

In the wild card battle, Tampa and Dallas's losses open the door for the Falcons and Eagles.  It's now simple for Atlanta and Philly, win out, you are in.   It's still a complete mess, and you really won't have a decent picture until after the Atlanta/Minnesota and Philly/Washington games.

In the AFC, the Titans are the #1 seed and the Steelers are the #2 seed.  If the Broncos lose to Buffalo somehow, then their game next week with San Diego will determine the division winner and the #4 seed.  If the Broncos beat Buffalo, they win the division, and the Chargers are done.

The Colts are the #5 seed, but the last wild card and the AFC East are still up for grabs.  Assuming the Jets beat Seattle as they should, the winner of the Dolphins/Jets game next week WILL WIN THE DIVISION.  Simply for the Dolphins, winning guarantees the division.  If the Jets lose to Seattle and beat Miami, then the Patriots win the division provided they beat Buffalo.

All Baltimore needs to do to get the wild card is to beat Jacksonville.  If they lose, they need New England to lose.  The loser of Jets/Dolphins (Provided the Yahoo simulator isn't wrong) can't get in regardless.  If the Ravens lose, and Patriots win, the Patriots get the wild card.

It's going to be tricky.  4 games that are important on now, Jets/Seahawks, Vikings/Falcons, Redskins/Eagles, and Broncos/Bills.  Enjoy!