NFC Playoff Picture: Games that matter to the Giants

If the New York Giants are to make the playoffs -- and Cool Standings gives them only a 4.7 percent chance of pulling that off -- they have to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and hope the Dallas Cowboys lose or tie and the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears also both lose.

That is a lot of hoping. Let's look at each of those games.

Chicago Bears (9-6) at Detroit Lions (4-11)

The Bears still have a shot at a playoff berth, while the Lions have little or nothing to play for. They have had a miserable season, and wide receiver Calvin Johnson has already broken the record for receiving yards in a season. I wouldn't be too optimistic about the Lions rising up and winning this one.

Line: Chicago -3
Game Time: 1 p.m.
TV: FOX

Green Bay Packers (11-4) at Minnesota Vikings (9-6)

This is a compelling game. The Vikings need a win to get into the playoffs, and Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson needs 102 yards rushing for a 2,000-yard season and 208 yards to break the single-season record. He racked up 210 yards the last time the Vikings and Packers played. You know Green Bay doesn't want to surrender the record, and the Packers are also playing for a first-round bye.

Line: Green Bay -3
Game Time: 4:25 p.m.
TV: FOX

Dallas Cowboys (8-7) at Washington Redskins (9-6)

It is really going to be hard to stomach watching these two teams play for the NFC East title, especially if the Giants are already eliminated by the time the game starts Sunday night. The best Giants' fans can hope for is that the Giants are still alive when the game begins, and that they can root for a Washington victory.

Line: Washington -3.5
Game Time: 8:20 p.m.
TV: NBC