The NFL’s playoff picture might be muddled in the middle. At the top, it’s crystal clear, thanks to the Patriots and Falcons.

New England became the first team into the postseason, locking up its eighth playoff berth in 10 years with a 36-7 pounding of the Chicago Bears on a snowy, blustery, bone-chilling Sunday at Soldier Field.

Atlanta beat Carolina 31-10, and if Minnesota defeats the New York Giants on Monday night in a postponed game that was moved to Detroit, the Falcons clinch a spot.

Tom Brady threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns in New England’s fifth successive win. The Patriots (11-2) grabbed a 33-0 halftime lead and gave coach Bill Belichick his 174th career win, putting him in a tie for 10th place with Mike Holmgren.

Brady was brilliant again despite the brutal conditions, picking apart the league’s third-ranked defense. He completed 27 of 40 passes and went without an interception for the eighth straight game.

“They don’t cancel football games very often,” Brady said. “It’s not like baseball. We don’t play out there in San Diego all the time.”

At Charlotte, Michael Turner ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns, Matt Ryan threw for another and NFC South leader Atlanta (11-2) held onto the best record in the conference.

“With three NFC games left, it’s important. All the games are big now,” defensive end John Abraham said. “All the games can put us in a good situation. We’ve got Seattle, then New Orleans and Carolina again. We want to have that home-field advantage and for us, we have to keep winning.”

Patriots 36, Bears 7

One week after annihilating the Jets 45-3, the Patriots had no mercy for Chicago (9-4), which nonetheless remained atop the NFC North even with its five-game winning streak smashed.

Deion Branch caught eight passes for a career-high 151 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown at the end of the first half. Wes Welker had eight receptions for 115 yards and the Patriots totaled 475 yards while holding Chicago to 185.

Falcons 31, Panthers 10

The Falcons built a 17-0 halftime lead, survived a brief hiccup to start the third quarter, and cruised to their seventh straight win. Abraham and Kroy Biermann each had two sacks as the Falcons became the latest team to shut down the NFL’s worst offense.

Jaguars 38, Raiders 31

At Jacksonville, David Garrard threw three touchdown passes, Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings each topped 100 yards rushing.

Eagles 30, Cowboys 27

DeSean Jackson had 210 yards receiving, including a 91-yard, go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Visiting Philadelphia (9-4) ended a three-game skid to its NFC East rival and moved a half-game ahead of the Giants in the division race. Dallas (4-9) fell behind in the opening minutes, yet kept it close and even led 20-14. But Philadelphia was relentless, dropping the Cowboys to 3-2 under interim coach Jason Garrett. They are guaranteed their first losing season since 2004.

Lions 7, Packers 3

At Detroit, Drew Stanton threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Will Heller midway through the fourth quarter, and Green Bay couldn’t come back without an injured Aaron Rodgers.

Saints 31, Rams 13

At New Orleans, Dew Brees threw for three scores, Malcolm Jenkins returned one of his two interceptions 96 yards for his first career touchdown, and New Orleans won its sixth straight game.

Marques Colston had a pair of touchdown catches in traffic as the Saints (10-3) raced to a 14-0 lead and never trailed. Lance Moore made a 31-yard touchdown catch.

Chargers 31, Chiefs 0

At San Diego, Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes to Malcom Floyd. The four-time defending AFC West champion Chargers (7-6) pulled within one game of the Chiefs (8-5). Rivers was 18 of 24 for 226 yards and the Chargers outgained the Chiefs 426 yards to 67. Kansas City had only five first downs. It was San Diego’s first regular-season shutout against the Chiefs, who played without quarterback Matt Cassel, who didn’t travel after having an emergency appendectomy Wednesday.

Dolphins 10, Jets 6

The Dolphins turned two early turnovers into their only points at the rainy Meadowlands. Much of the game was played in a downpour, which made for inept offense in the sloppy conditions. The Dolphins gained 131 yards, with Chad Henne passing for only 55, yet improved to 7-6.

49ers 40, Seahawks 21

At San Francisco, Alex Smith threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in a triumphant return to the starting lineup following a five-game absence. The Niners (5-8) muddled up the ugly NFC West race even more and moved within a game of division leaders Seattle (6-7) and St. Louis. The 49ers looked much more like the team predicted to win the division after an unbeaten preseason.

Bucs 17, Redskins 16

A flubbed extra point attempt with 9 seconds to play kept host Washington from tying the game. The Redskins pulled within a point on Santana Moss’ 6-yard touchdown catch, but Nick Sundberg’s slightly high snap on a wet field went through holder Hunter Smith’s hands.

Cards 43, Broncos 13

Jay Feely became the fourth kicker in 40 years to run for a touchdown and added a career-best five field goals to help host Arizona end a seven-game losing streak. Rookie John Skelton completed 14 of 36 for 141 yards with no interceptions and had at least four passes dropped in his first NFL start.

Bills 13, Browns 6

Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to David Nelson, then Leodis McKelvin made a late interception to preserve the win. Rian Lindell hit field goals of 30 and 19 yards to help the Bills.