The NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape, but there are still countless twists and turns yet to come before the 12 teams headed into the postseason are set.
Here are 12 games that will determine how the rest of the 2016 season will play out:
Chiefs-Broncos - Week 12
Playoff implications: AFC West divisional race, No. 1 seed, wild card
The Chiefs and Broncos also face off in Week 17, but their Week 12 matchup might be even more significant. A loss for either team will drop them behind the Raiders and the Patriots in the race for the AFC's No.1 seed. Both of these teams are all but certain to make the playoffs, but how the AFC West falls into place will shape the rest of the conference.
Vikings-Lions - Week 12
Playoff implications: NFC North divisional race
The Vikings need to steady the ship before their playoff hopes sink, but the Lions will be motivated to deal a near-fatal blow. Minnesota faces Arizona the week prior and then Dallas after the Lions, meaning this is a must-win for the Vikings.
Cowboys-Giants - Week 14
Playoff implications: NFC East divisional race, No. 1 seed, wild card
If the Giants can rally off wins against the Bengals, Bears, and Browns, an entirely plausible scenario, they'll likely enter this game two games behind the Cowboys. Dallas looks set for the No. 1 seed and the NFC East crown, but a win here could put New York back in contention.
Chiefs-Raiders - Week 14
Playoff implications: AFC West divisional race, No. 1 seed, wild card
The Chiefs will have played the Broncos and Falcons in the two weeks leading up to this game against the Raiders, meaning they could be on the verge of falling out of the AFC West race. Oakland should still be hot on the heels of the Patriots for the No. 1 seed, but a second loss to the Chiefs this year could send them spiraling back into a wild-card spot.
Patriots-Broncos - Week 15
Playoff implications: AFC No. 1 seed
Denver needs to focus on fending off the Chiefs and Raiders in the AFC West, but an eye must be kept on the all-important No. 1 seed. The Patriots should enter this game at 11-2, while the Broncos should sit at 10-3. A win for New England would eliminate Denver from the top-seed discussion, but a victory for the Broncos would earn them a head-to-head win that could completely alter the AFC playoff picture.
Ravens-Steelers - Week 16
Playoff implications: AFC North divisional race, No. 3/4 seeding
Once the premier division in the NFL, the AFC North looks likely to send only one team to the postseason this year. The Bengals aren't out yet, but at the moment it appears the Steelers and Ravens will stay locked together until this Week 16 game separates them.
Seahawks-Cardinals - Week 16
Playoff implications: NFC West divisional race, No. 1 seed, wild card
The Cardinals don't look in any position to challenge the Seahawks, but they shouldn't be more than two games behind Seattle by the time Week 16 rolls around. Given their tie earlier in the season, a win for Arizona could put the pressure on the Seahawks in Week 17, as well as ruin any chances they had of snatching the No. 1 seed from Dallas.
Dolphins-Bills - Week 16
Playoff implications: AFC wild card
The Patriots will already have the AFC East crown by Week 16, but the Dolphins and Bills have managed to stay alive after both looked done earlier in the year. They'll need to hope the AFC West teams beat themselves up to force a wild-card spot open, handing one of these teams a chance at an unlikely playoff place.
Vikings-Packers - Week 16
Playoff implications: NFC North divisional race
It's entirely possible both Minnesota and Green Bay are out of the playoff race come Week 16, based on their poor play of late. But the Lions are unlikely to run away with the division, meaning a win here could lead to one of these two disappointing teams snatching the NFC North and limping into the postseason.
Texans-Titans - Week 17
Playoff implications: AFC South divisional race
The AFC South is bad, and it's unlikely any team will emerge from the pack before Week 17. The Texans and Titans have tough upcoming schedules, but should remain at the top of the division. It's likely both will enter Week 17 with eight wins, creating a winner-take-all scenario.
Raiders-Broncos - Week 17
Playoff implications: AFC West divisional race, No. 1 seed, wild card
Denver and Oakland should have a playoff spot wrapped up by this point, but there's little reason to believe either of the two teams - or Kansas City - will hold a significant division lead. This could be the most impactful game of the season, with the AFC West and potentially the No. 1 seed on the line.
Giants-Redskins - Week 17
Playoff implications: NFC wild card, No. 5 seed
While neither team is likely to stay with Dallas in the race for the NFC East, this game should still have massive playoff implications. It should be a win-and-in game for either the Redskins or Giants because of the lack of depth in the NFC, as the victor will likely earn a wild-card berth and the No. 5 seed.