Heading into the final weekend, all six NFC playoff spots had been claimed, but 11 AFC teams still had a pulse.
Here's a glimpse at the 10 teams that have made the playoffs.
NFCCardinals
It's a wrap: The Cardinals, who have won the NFC West, can clinch a first-round bye if they beat the Packers and the Vikings and Eagles lose.
Going right: Running back Beanie Wells and receiver Early Doucet have stepped up in recent weeks, giving opposing defenses even more offensive weapons to ponder.
Going wrong: Left tackle Mike Gandy is done for the season after undergoing surgery for a hernia. His replacement, Jeremy Bridges, has been inconsistent.
It's a wrap: Thanks to the Vikings' loss Monday, the Saints secured home-field advantage despite back-to-back losses. They finish at Carolina.
Going right: In his last three road games, Drew Brees has eight touchdown passes and one interception.
Going wrong: The Saints scored 17 points in home losses to the Cowboys and Buccaneers after averaging 35.8 points in their first 13 games.
Eagles
It's a wrap: The Eagles visit the Cowboys with the winner clinching the NFC East. An Eagles victory earns them the second seed.
Going right: During the course of their six-game winning streak, the Eagles have averaged 31.2 points and more than two takeaways.
Going wrong: The Eagles lost Jamaal Jackson, who hadn't missed a start since taking over at center in 2005, to a knee injury last Sunday.
Cowboys
It's a wrap: The Cowboys could wind up with the No. 2 seed. To get that, they would need a victory over the Eagles and losses by the Vikings and Cardinals.
Going right: In December 2008, Tony Romo had nine turnovers. This December? Just one.
Going wrong: Roy Williams, who leads the league with 10 drops, believes Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett have lost confidence in him.
Vikings
It's a wrap: The Vikings have lost three of four but still can collect a first-round bye with a victory over the Giants and an Eagles loss.
Going right: According to Elias Sports Bureau, the Vikings are only the second NFL team to have six receivers with at least 40 catches.
Going wrong: Adrian Peterson's six fumbles are the most by any running back.
Packers
It's a wrap: The Packers finish against the Cardinals and could be right back in Arizona for a wild-card game next weekend.
Going right: Aaron Rodgers is the first quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons as a starter.
Going wrong: The Packers are the league's most penalized team with 114 for 1,038 yards.
AFCChargers
It's a wrap: The second-seeded Chargers have clinched their fourth consecutive AFC West title and a first-round bye.
Going right: Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick, sidelined by an ankle injury in the opener, is back just in time for a playoff run.
Going wrong: Stopping the run is still a problem for the Chargers, ranked 23rd in that department.
It's a wrap: With home-field advantage in hand, the top-seeded Colts quit on their chance for a perfect season by pulling Peyton Manning after 2 1/2 quarters against the Jets.
Going right: Manning & Co. set an NFL record by winning seven games in which they trailed in the fourth quarter.
Going wrong: If karma matters, the Colts put themselves in a deep hole by tanking it last Sunday. When else has a 14-0 team been booed so roundly at home?
It's a wrap: The Bengals, AFC North winners, finish at the Meadowlands with a chance to be the third or fourth seed. Carson Palmer and other starters are likely to catch a breather.
Going right: The Bengals are the AFC's best team against the run, allowing an average of 87.7 yards.
Going wrong: Eight snaps into last Sunday's game against the Chiefs, rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga heard another snap: his ankle. It's fractured, and he's done for the season.
It's a wrap: The AFC East champ Patriots, always scary this time of year, close the season visiting the Texans.
Going right: Tom Brady said last Sunday's pounding of the Jaguars was "the best 60 minutes of football we've played all year."
Going wrong: If the Patriots win their postseason opener, they will play a divisional game on the road, where they are 1-5 this season.