On Monday Night Football the Packers became the ninth team to clinch a playoff berth this season, with five spots still to be earned. Here’s how the playoff picture looks heading into Week 17: 1. Detroit Lions (13-2): Clinched a playoff berth. 2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-3): Clinched a playoff berth.

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,