How many teams jockeying for playoff position or even a playoff berth went down in flames Sunday? In Week 16, when teams are supposed to start peaking for the playoffs, many went in the opposite direction:

– The Browns needed just a victory to clinch a playoff berth, but Derek Anderson threw four interceptions and Cleveland lost 19-14. The loss means the Steelers clinch the division, and the Browns must win next week and hope the Titans lose to get the last wild card in the AFC. Cleveland hosts San Francisco while Tennessee plays at Indianapolis, but the Colts are locked into the No. 2 seed — how hard will they play the Titans when it means essentially nothing? Tennessee didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard against the Jets on Sunday, either, so the Browns might have the advantage anyway, but they could have made it much easier by simply beating the Bengals.

– As I type, the Redskins are up 22-0 on the Vikings. Provided the Skins win, it’s bad news for the Vikes, who will likely need to win next week at Denver and hope Washington loses to a Dallas team that has secured the No. 1 seed. If both teams lose, and the Saints and Eagles win next week, and there’s a four-way 8-8 tie (yikes, the Lions and Cardinals could go 8-8 too) … OK, my head is spinning at this scenario. Go Redskins or Vikings in Week 17!

– The Packers were simply pummeled by the Bears 35-7. Green Bay locks up the No. 2 seed in the NFC with no chance to catch Dallas — too bad, the frozen tundra would have been a better environment for the Pack in the NFC championship than Texas Stadium. Much better. On the bright side, at least the Packers have two weeks to take it moderately easy, this might have been a minor blessing. Still, it was a brutal, troubling loss this late in the season.

– Buffalo is done after losing to the Giants 38-21. New York clinches the first NFC wild card and locks in the No. 5 seed, and it will be interesting to see how hard they play the Patriots next week with 16-0 on the line.

– Tampa Bay lost to the suddenly resurgent 49ers. The Seahawks locked up the No. 3 seed by beating the Ravens, meaning the Bucs will host the Giants instead of a lesser team to open the playoffs.

– San Diego must not stumble Monday night, because the last thing the Chargers want is the AFC No. 4 seed and a game against the impressive Jaguars.