NFL Playoff Schedule 2015-16: TV Info, Predictions for AFC and NFC Matchups

While the NFL season is far from over, Week 14 provided a little clarity to the playoff picture. Nothing is set in stone, but this week's action could go a long way toward deciding which teams play football in late January and which teams play golf. 

One game in particular could have a greater impact than all the rest. One of the league's top teams lost the one player no team can afford to lose.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton left Sunday's game against the Steelers with a thumb injury and did not return. According to ESPN's Bob Holtzman, the Bengals could be without their signal-caller for the rest of the year.

If Dalton is indeed done for the year, that could put a damper on any hopes for a deep playoff run. It will be a tough ask for AJ McCarron to carry the Bengals through the postseason.

But that's the beauty of the NFL: You never know what can happen. But we can guess, can't we?

Here's a look at the most up-to-date TV information available for the postseason, along with predictions as to who will ultimately get into the postseason dance. The playoff standings can be found at ESPN.com.

Viewing Information

To this point, TV information for the playoffs is scarce. Thanks to Ana Livia Coelho and the ESPN Media Zone, we know ESPN will carry a Wild Card Game for the second consecutive year. This year is a little different, though, as the game and Monday Night Countdown will be simulcast on ABC. As always, you will also be able to stream the game with Watch ESPN. 

We also know Super Bowl 50 will be February 7 on CBS at 6 p.m. ET. Other than that, the TV schedule for the postseason has yet to be determined.

Predictions

As for predictions, we'll start in the NFC, where the playoff picture gets clearer by the week. The Carolina Panthers remain undefeated at 13-0 and have clinched the NFC South. The second seed currently belongs to the Arizona Cardinals, who also have clinched a berth in the postseason.

The Green Bay Packers currently have a one-game lead in the NFC North over the Minnesota Vikings after winning three of their last four games. With Aaron Rodgers at the helm, it's hard to pick against the Packers' locking up the division crown.

However, the Vikings are still in great shape to earn a wild-card berth. The Vikings and Seattle Seahawks boast identical 8-5 records, giving them a two-game lead over the next-closest team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We'll consider it a monumental collapse if either of these teams blow a two-game lead with three to play.

The final playoff spot will belong to the NFC East champion. As of this writing, Washington leads the way at 6-7. The New York Giants can again create a three-way tie atop the division with a win Monday night. We know the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, so give us the Giants and Eli Manning to win the East.

When it comes to the AFC, things start to get tricky. The New England Patriots took back the top seed in the conference after their win Monday night, and with Rob Gronkowski back in the fold, they look like the favorites to lock up the AFC East and top seed in the AFC.

After that, it's anyone's guess. We'll take the Kansas City Chiefs to at least get one of the wild-card spots, based on a relatively soft remaining schedule. The Chiefs' final three opponents (Ravens, Browns, Raiders) are a combined 13-26. 

In fact, if the Chiefs win out and the Denver Broncos finish 1-2 (at Steelers, vs. Bengals, vs. Chargers) the Chiefs would win the division. Both teams would be 11-5, but the Chiefs would win the West based on division record. However, we have the Broncos beating the Bengals and Chargers to lock up the division.

Despite losing Dalton, the Bengals may have just enough of a cushion to hold off the Steelers in the AFC North. However, we have the Steelers winning out (vs. Broncos, at Ravens, at Browns) and overtaking the New York Jets for the final wild-card spot. 

And if the Steelers get in, we're in agreement with Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman. Watch out for Big Ben and his crew.

That just leaves the AFC South. Like the NFC East, the AFC South could send an 8-8 division winner to the playoffs. The Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans are tied at 6-7 with the Jacksonville Jaguars hanging around at 5-8. As Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated tweeted us, it's an uphill battle for the Jags:

 SB Nation also outlined how a game next week could ultimately decide the division:

Wait a minute—do we really think a team led by Charlie Whitehurst or T.J. Yates is going to make the playoffs? We'll take our chances with Blake Bortles. Give us the Jags to win out while the Colts and Texans stumble, leaving the Jags (!!!) as division champs.