Steelers-Bears, Chiefs-Colts highlight NFL's most pivotal Week 12 games

The NFL playoff race is only going to get more intense as the season goes on, and the Week 12 schedule is full of some massive games that could significantly alter playoff chances. Here are some of the most pivotal games on this week's schedule.

Indianapolis Colts (8-2) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-5)

This might be the most pivotal game of the week, given what it means to the Chiefs.

Kansas City might not yet be in must-win territory, but it is getting extremely close, and there is no margin for error the rest of the week, given that it is already 5-5. Being under .500 in November is unprecedented in the Patrick Mahomes-Andy Reid era, as is a potential three-game losing streak. Both things would happen with a loss to the Colts on Sunday, while the Chiefs' playoff chances would drop from 52% going into the week, all the way down to 35% with a loss. 

With games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos still remaining, the Chiefs' schedule is not exactly easy, and they do not have any room for many missteps.

The Colts, meanwhile, are looking to hold off the Jacksonville Jaguars and Texans in the AFC South, while also trying to keep pace in the race for No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) vs. Chicago Bears (7-3)

Even though the Steelers enter the week with a 6-4 record and the top spot in the AFC North, the playoff probability odds do not favor them. They have not played great so far in the second half. The Baltimore Ravens are coming on strong, and the Steelers play a brutal schedule the rest of the way.

A win on Sunday against the Bears would only increase their playoff probability to 52%, while a loss would take them all the way to only 31%. So it is a huge game for them, especially with the Ravens playing another winnable game against the New York Jets. 

The Bears, meanwhile, have played one of the NFL's softest schedules to this point and are now entering the most brutal portion of it. A win increases their playoff chances to 69% while a loss would take them to only 45%.

Injuries could play a big role in this game as Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is questionable, which could open the door for Mason Rudolph to start, while the Bears have major injury issues on defense with its top-three middle linebackers all missing the game. 

Green Bay Packers (6-3-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-6)

This is pretty much an elimination game for the Vikings, as a loss would take their playoff chances down to under 1%. Even a win would only keep them at 6%. 

The far more meaningful aspect of this game is with the Packers, where they need a win to keep alive their chances for the NFC North and a home game in the playoffs. A win would increase their divisional chances up to 44%, while a loss would cut them down to only 23% for the division.

Carolina Panthers (6-5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (7-4)

Yes, folks, that is correct, the Carolina Panthers are playing in a pivotal Week 12 game with significant playoff implications. For themselves. 

A win over the 49ers on Monday night would improve them to 7-5 and continue a mid-season surge, increasing their playoff chances up to 36%. Certainly not great. But definitely very much in the race. It would also give them an important tiebreaker over the 49ers.

San Francisco needs this win to try and keep its NFC West hopes alive (slim as they might be) and solidify itself in the NFC wild-card race.