Playoff status

Joe Ferreira of CBS SportsLine formerly worked in the NFL's scheduling department.
Naturally, he provides an interesting take on the playoff. On the web site today, he talks about teams that "control their own destiny."
Ferreira said both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles control their own destiny for the NFC East title, and the Eagles also control their own destiny for a playoff berth.
The New York Giants, meanwhile, do not control their own destiny.
The New Orleans Saints are in control of their own destiny for the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.
The Atlanta Falcons do not control their own destiny for a playoff berth.
Here is why: "Even if (Atlanta) gets to 9-7 and beats the Eagles to do that (putting Philadelphia 9-7 at best), the Eagles could still win the East with Dallas at 9-7 and the Falcons lost head-to-head to Giants and Cowboys this year."
Lastly, the Seattle Seahawks control their destiny in the NFC West, with a two-game lead on the San Francisco 49ers. But if the Seahawks lose out and the 49ers win out, the 49ers would win the NFC West because they swept the season series against the Seahawks.
Not surprisingly, Ferreira made no mention of the Vikings.