2012 NFL Schedule: Late-Season Matchups That Will Determine Postseason Berths

Playoff races occur every season and in some cases, the final postseason berths aren't decided until Week 17. As for the 2012 NFL season, the schedule brings us many elite late-season games that will hold playoff implications.

So, let's take a look at some games that will determine who's in and who's out of the NFL's second season.

Full view of the 2012 NFL schedule.

Week 13: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills

Two franchises with improved postseason odds, the Jaguars and Bills face off as dominant defenses complemented by impressive running games.

Last season the Jaguars were top 10 against the pass and rush, so expect coordinator Mel Tucker's unit to play physically sound and smart ball. The Jaguars don't make many mistakes or miss assignments, so the Bills' offense must remain balanced.

Fred Jackson must be fed throughout, because regardless of the production Buffalo can't abandon the ground game. Jacksonville must have a similar game-plan with its offense, as Maurice Jones-Drew remains the Jags' best weapon.

The Buffalo defense must blitz relentlessly, as the Jacksonville pass protection can be flaky. Keeping a linebacker spy on Jones-Drew will limit production, but the secondary can't fall asleep.

Pitting two stout defenses here, the winner possesses the more balanced and disciplined offense to stick with the game-plan.

Prediction: Bills 20, Jaguars 16

Week 14: Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers

Here we see a rising team in Carolina versus the Falcons who have lost three straight playoff games.

The Panthers have the more explosive offense, but Atlanta is more balanced. Each defense is vulnerable to the pass and lacked a consistent pass rush in 2011.

So, the different in this one lies with turnovers. Expect a high-scoring affair as the Panthers can stretch the field and Cam Newton uses his number of targets to spread the defense. The Falcons' defense will have turnover opportunities, but capitalizing on those is the key.

Carolina will have an improved defense with a healthy Jon Beason, so Michael Turner will struggle a bit more on the ground. Therefore, expect Atlanta to use play-action early and setup the run later on.

On some level, both are exact opposites defensively and offensively. Turnovers will obviously be big, but the more effective rush defense forces the other into becoming one-dimensional.

Prediction: Panthers 28, Falcons 24

Week 15: Detroit Lions vs. Arizona Cardinals

Despite beginning 1-6 in 2011, the Cardinals closed out 7-2 to finished 8-8 and really improved defensively. The Lions are coming off a postseason appearance, but still have question marks in every aspect except passing offense.

We know that receivers Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald are going to have big days, so the better pass defense does gain an edge. Offensively, Arizona has the better ground game and play-action will be quite effective.

Detroit must simply double-team Fitz and blitz all day long. The Cardinals had the second-worst pass protection in 2011 and the Lions field a capable pass rush. Therefore, Arizona just needs to remain balanced and let its defense blanket Megatron.

Patrick Peterson and Adrian Wilson are capable of shutting down Johnson, but that also leaves the Cardinals vulnerable to the underneath passing game.

Obviously the better passing team has the advantage; that said, this game will come down to which offense can run the ball enough to create a stronger play-action.

Prediction: Cardinals 27, Lions 21

Week 16: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

As of right now this division belongs to the Ravens and with other AFC teams like Jacksonville, Buffalo and Kansas City legitimately vying for a postseason spot, only one more team has a chance to accompany Baltimore out of the AFC North.

Cincinnati is a franchise quickly improving and the Steelers are trying to remain AFC title contenders. However, both bowed out after Wild Card Weekend last season, but it's a different story for each team.

The Bengals field a young offense led by quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green. Their connection will be extremely vital to Cincy moving the rock against Pittsburgh, because the Steelers bring pressure to help the coverage.

That said, the matchup to look for in this game will be Cincinnati's defense versus Pittsburgh's offense. The Bengals can bring a fair amount of their own pressure and play just as good, if not better, lock down coverage.

Pittsburgh will need to remain balanced, because controlling the clock and limiting Cincy's possessions is the key. Expect the Bengals to play a lot of man coverage and blitz, as the Steelers still lack reliable pass protection.

Whichever passing offense proves more effective, that team comes out on top since neither will run the ball too efficiently.

Prediction: Bengals 14, Steelers 10

John Rozum on Twitter.