Play-off shuffle

AMERICAN football fans are busy with calculators and arcane counting this weekend as the final NFL shuffle for the remaining play-off places gets underway.

As ever the final weeks of the season mean teams still in with a hope of reaching post-season football and a chance of Super Bowl glory are looking not only at their own performance but that of rivals.

A round-up of who is already there and who still holds out hope looks like this.

In the AFC East last year's Super Bowl heroes, the New England Patriots have already clinched their division, while in the AFC North the Cincinnati Bengals, have likewise secured their divisional place.

Division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers need a win for a play-off spot, or a Kansas City loss or San Diego win.

In the AFC South it's much clearer as both Indianapolis and Jacksonville are already there, with the Colts securing home field advantage. In the AFC West Denver has secured a first round-bye, but Kansas City a win combined with a Pittsburgh loss and a San Diego loss or tie.

In the NFC East Dallas can look forward to play-off football if they win and Washington or Carolina lose. Also, if they win and Tampa Bay lose, New York Giants lose and the Giants and Dallas have a better record than Tampa Bay. The Giants are already through. Washington can go through with a win or a Dallas loss.

In the NFC North Chicago has already secured play-off football and a first round bye. The NFC South is a little more complicated, with a multitude of scenarios meaning either Carolina or Tampa can qualify.

The NFC West is a lot simpler with Seattle already through and with home field advantage secured.

All will be revealed this weekend, but for 18 teams they are out of contention. For many it may seem that these teams won't be competing all-out. But for the players it is next year's lucrative contracts that will keep them interested until the final whistle.