Here is the NFL’s playoff checklist:

New England Patriots, in as AFC East champions;

Denver Broncos, in as AFC West winners;

Indianapolis Colts, in as AFC South champs;

Arizona Cardinals, in as NFC representative.

Those were the postseason manifestations of Sunday’s on-field action — although the Cardinals didn’t even play. The week’s action began with the NFC West leader’s 12-6 victory at St. Louis (6-8) on Thursday night, and when Dallas beat Philadelphia 38-27 on Sunday night, the Cardinals owned at least a wild card.

Monday’s game has New Orleans (5-8, but in position to lead the NFC South) at Chicago (5-8).

Patriots 41, Dolphins 13

New England clinched the AFC East title for the sixth straight season, with Tom Brady throwing two touchdown passes in a big third quarter.

Leading 14-13 at halftime, the Patriots scored on four consecutive series while piling up 24 points, the most in any third period in team history.

New England (11-3, but now 7-0 at home) can secure home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by beating the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills.

Broncos 22, Chargers 10

At San Diego, the Broncos took a fourth successive division crown even though Peyton Manning played through a thigh injury and flu-like symptoms.

Connor Barth kicked five field goals, and Denver’s 12th straight division road win tied San Francisco’s NFL record set from 1987-90.

Manning came out of the game late in the second quarter. He returned for the start of the third and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas to give the Broncos a 16-3 lead.

Colts 17, Texans 10

At Indianapolis, Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes and Indianapolis won its second straight AFC South title. The Colts (10-4) have won four games in a row.

Luck was 18 of 34 for 187 yards and one interception on the same day Reggie Wayne passed Peyton Manning for the most games and wins in franchise history. Wayne has played in 209 games, winning 142.

Houston (7-7) lost starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a left leg injury in the second quarter. Rookie Tom Savage replaced Fitzpatrick and was ineffective, going 10 of 19 for 127 yards.

Cowboys 38, Eagles 27

At Philadelphia, Dez Bryant had a career-best three touchdown receptions.

DeMarco Murray had a pair of TD runs to help the Cowboys (10-4) move ahead of the Eagles (9-5) into first place in the NFC East. The Eagles dominated the Cowboys in a 33-10 road win on Thanksgiving, but Dallas seized control of the division with two weeks left.

The Cowboys jumped to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter before Philadelphia rallied.

Bengals 30, Browns 0

At Cleveland, the debut of Johnny Football was a monumental flop.

Rookie QB Johnny Manziel failed to live up to the overwhelming buildup surrounding his debut as the AFC North-leading Bengals (9-4-1) built a 20-point halftime lead and rolled to their fourth straight road win. Bengals rookie Jeremy Hill rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bengals got their first shutout since Dec. 21, 2008, in Cleveland.

Manziel, promoted over the slumping Brian Hoyer to spark the Browns (7-7), finished 10 of 18 for 80 yards and two interceptions. He was sacked three times, and had Bengals players imitating his signature “money-rubbing” gesture more than once.

Bills 31, Packers 13

Bacarri Rambo intercepted two Aaron Rodgers passes and Marcus Thigpen scored on a 75-yard punt return.

Defensive end Mario Williams also forced Rodgers to fumble, which led to running back Eddie Lacy being tackled in the end zone for a safety with 1:51 left. Dan Carpenter hit all three of his field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder in the second half, to help keep host Buffalo (8-6) in the AFC playoff picture.

Seahawks 17, 49ers 7

At Seattle, Marshawn Lynch rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown, Russell Wilson threw a touchdown pass to rookie Paul Richardson, and the Seahawks knocked rival San Francisco from playoff contention.

The loss and Detroit’s win eliminated San Francisco (7-7) from contention.

Lions 16, Vikings 14

At Detroit, Matt Prater’s 33-yard field goal with 3:38 remaining lifted the Lions into a tie for first place in the NFC North with the Packers.

The Lions (10-4) didn’t have an easy time, spotting the Vikings (6-8) a 14-0 lead before a pair of second-quarter interceptions helped the Lions start their rally.

Ravens 20, Jaguars 12

At Baltimore, the Ravens sacked rookie Blake Bortles eight times and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Baltimore (9-5) scored just once with its offense on the field. But the defense was solid, and special teams helped the Ravens stay in the thick of the AFC playoff chase.

Panthers 19, Bucs 17

Derek Anderson threw for 277 yards and a touchdown, Graham Gano kicked four field goals and the Panthers moved to 5-8-1, percentage points atop the weak NFC South.

Chiefs 31, Raiders 13

At Kansas City, Alex Smith threw for 297 yards and two scores. Knile Davis had touchdowns running and receiving, and De’Anthony Thomas returned a punt 81 yards for another score as the Chiefs (8-6) got even for a 24-20 loss to Oakland (2-12) last month.

Giants 24, Redskins 13

Eli Manning threw three touchdown passes to rookie Odell Beckham Jr. and the host Giants took advantage of an overturned touchdown at the end of the half.

Jets 16, Titans 11

At Nashville, Chris Ivory scored on a 1-yard run with 3:09 left in a game marked by a brawl between two of the NFL’s worst teams.