NFL Playoff Scenarios: Latest Wild Card Matchup Predictions

Can you believe we are already in Week 17 of the NFL season? Just one week separates us from postseason football. 

But don't overlook Week 17 quite yet—there are several games that have playoff implications. 

In the following slides, I'm projecting which teams will play in the first week of the postseason and how they got there, including some Week 17 predictions. 

Detroit Lions at New York Giants

For this Wild Card matchup to happen, two things need to occur in Week 17. 

Obviously, the Giants need to beat Dallas in New York to win the NFC East. That's a very conceivable scenario considering the way the Giants took control of the Jets last week. 

Getting the Lions into the No. 5 seed requires either a Lions' win in Green Bay or a Falcons' loss against the Buccaneers. With the Packers likely to rest a good portion of their key players, the Lions could very well win their first game in the state of Wisconsin since 1991. 

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

In the mood for a rematch? You might just get one between the Saints and Falcons, who just played on Monday but could wind up in the same scenario in the first round of the NFC playoffs. 

The Falcons' loss in New Orleans in Week 16 put them behind the eight ball to get the No. 5 seed, and the No. 6 seed is almost guaranteed to play the Saints on the road.

Even after the Saints' 45-16 win over the Falcons Monday night, this would likely be the most hyped matchup on Wild Card weekend. Drew Brees getting his passing yards record at the expense of the Falcons during a blowout only added gas to the fire of this potential rematch. 

Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans

For the Bengals to sneak in as the AFC's No. 6 seed, a couple of different things must happen. The Bengals either have to beat the Ravens on Sunday, which clinches the spot outright, or they can get in with losses from both the Jets and Raiders or Jets and Broncos.

Confused yet? You'll find out which route I have the Bengals taking to get the No. 6 spot in the next slide.

The Texans, losers of two straight, are locked into the No. 3 seed.  

Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders

If the Ravens are to fall from the No. 2 seed, where they currently reside, to the No. 4 seed, two things have to happen:

1. Ravens lose to the Bengals on Sunday and 2. Steelers beat the Browns. 

I'm predicting two check marks for those scenarios on Sunday, which means the Ravens are the No. 4 seed and the Steelers the No. 2.

For the Ravens to then play the Raiders, Oakland has to beat the San Diego Chargers and have the Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Put two check marks down for those, too.