NFL Playoff Picture Week 15: Latest AFC, NFC Wild-Card Scenarios and Predictions
The New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys are the top seeds in their respective NFL conferences, but both teams face major tests this week that could have impacts on their abilities to hold on to those top spots.
The Patriots (11-2) have a one-game lead on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC, but they face a trip to Denver to face the Broncos on Sunday. If that sends chills down the spines of New England fans, it should. The Patriots lost a key regular-season game in the Mile High City last year, losing home-field advantage.
They played the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game in Denver and lost that as well. While New England head coach Bill Belichick is not one to live in the past, it's clear that a loss in Denver this year could cause similar problems.
Look for top efforts from Tom Brady and LeGarrette Blount against a Denver team that lacks offensive firepower.
The Cowboys saw their 11-game winning streak come to an end last Sunday at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants (9-4), but they still have a two-game lead over New York in the NFC East. However, if the Giants can make up that deficit in the remaining three weeks of the season, they will take first place in the division as a result of their 2-0 record against the Cowboys.
| AFC | New England Patriots | 11-2 | AFC East champions, No. 1 seed |
| AFC | Kansas City Chiefs | 10-3 | AFC West champions, No. 2 seed |
| AFC | Pittsburgh Steelers | 8-5 | AFC North champions, No. 3 seed |
| AFC | Tennessee Titans | 7-6 | AFC South champions, No. 4 seed |
| AFC | Oakland Raiders | 10-3 | No. 1 wild card, No. 5 seed |
| AFC | Miami Dolphins | 8-5 | No. 2 wild card, No. 6 seed |
| AFC | Denver Broncos | 8-5 | Out of playoffs |
| AFC | Baltimore Ravens | 7-6 | Out of playoffs |
| AFC | Houston Texans | 7-6 | Out of playoffs |
| NFC | Dallas Cowboys | 11-2 | NFC East champions, No. 1 seed |
| NFC | Seattle Seahawks | 9-4-1 | NFC West champions, No. 2 seed |
| NFC | Detroit Lions | 9-4 | NFC North champions, No. 3 seed |
| NFC | Atlanta Falcons | 8-5 | NFC South champions, No. 4 seed |
| NFC | New York Giants | 9-4 | No. 1 wild card, No.5 seed |
| NFC | Green Bay Packers | 7-6 | No. 2 wild card, No. 6 seed |
| NFC | Tampa Bay Buccanneers | 8-5 | Out of playoffs |
| NFC | Washington Redskins | 7-5-1 | Out of playoffs |
| NFC | Minnesota Vikings | 7-6 | Out of playoffs |
Despite those doomsday scenarios, the Pats and the Cowboys are both in relatively good shape in regard to securing the top seeds in the AFC and NFC, respectively.
The Chiefs (10-3) and Oakland Raiders (10-3) are tied for first in the AFC West, but the Chiefs have the tiebreaker because they won both games between the two teams. If the Chiefs hold on to the division, the Raiders are in excellent shape to earn the top wild-card spot.
The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos (8-5) are holding on to the second wild-card spot, but they are in serious jeopardy because of their schedule. They face the Patriots, Chiefs and Raiders in the final three weeks of the season.
That could open the door for the Miami Dolphins (8-5). Miami has reasonable games against the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills before playing the Patriots at home in the regular-season finale.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) have a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens (7-6) in the AFC North. That division is likely to be decided in Week 16, when the Steelers host the Ravens. A win by Baltimore would give John Harbaugh's team the tiebreaker, as the Ravens won the earlier meeting between the two teams.
The Houston Texans (7-6) and Tennessee Titans (7-6) are tied in the AFC South with the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) a game behind. The Titans will host the Texans in the season finale, and it seems likely that the winner of that game will come away with the division title.
The Giants should secure the top wild-card spot in the NFC if they can't catch the Cowboys. The Washington Redskins (7-5-1) are currently out of the playoff picture, but if they can close out the season with victories over the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Giants, they have an excellent chance of earning a playoff spot for the second straight year.
The Detroit Lions (9-4) have a two-game lead in the NFC North over the Green Bay Packers (7-6) and Minnesota Vikings (7-6). Matthew Stafford and the Lions have secured eight wins in their last nine games, but they have a tough closing schedule that could cause problems.
Detroit plays the Giants on Sunday, and it will follow that up with games against Dallas and Green Bay. Since the Packers have won three contests in a row and are playing their best football of the season, Aaron Rodgers and his explosive offense could have a chance to steal the division title if the Lions stumble.
The Atlanta Falcons (8-5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-5) are tied atop the NFC South, with the Falcons holding the tiebreaker. While the Bucs have won five games in a row, they face the Cowboys on the road this week before closing the season with the New Orleans Saints and Panthers. The Falcons close their schedule with winnable games against the San Francisco 49ers, Panthers and Saints.
The Bucs currently have the No. 2 wild-card spot, but the Redskins, Packers and Vikings are nipping at their heels.
The Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1) clinched the NFC West title Thursday night with a 24-3 victory over the beleaguered Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers and Rams have been eliminated from playoff consideration, and the Arizona Cardinals (5-7-1) are unlikely to get to the postseason.
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