NFL Playoff Predictions 2013: Projecting AFC's Final Seeds

In the always-competitive AFC, we are in Week 15 of the 2012 NFL season with several playoff spots still to be decided.

The Houston Texans were soundly defeated by the New England Patriots in Week 14, and the Indianapolis Colts are within striking distance for the AFC South, sitting two games back with three to play (two against the Texans).

The Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers are also in a scintillating divisional battle. The Ravens have lost two straight games, while the Bengals have won five of their last six contests. The Steelers, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing home loss to the San Diego Chargers.

Here's how I see the AFC's seeds shaping up at the end of the season.

1. AFC South Champ: Houston Texans (14-2)

Colts fans aren't going to be happy with this, but I see the Texans winning both remaining head-to-head matchups against Indianapolis and beating the Minnesota Vikings to win out and capture the AFC South.

The Texans got rocked by the New England Patriots in Week 14, but I still think they're a superior squad compared to the Colts.

Of course, Andrew Luck could change that.

2. AFC East Champ: New England Patriots (13-3)

I think the Patriots defeat the San Francisco 49ers this week (primarily because of their run defense and the inexperience of Colin Kaepernick) and then coast against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins to finish 13-3.

3. AFC West Champ: Denver Broncos (13-3)

Denver's toughest matchup will be against the Ravens this week, but a win there (courtesy of Baltimore's disappointing pass defense and inconsistent offense) puts the Broncos in position to win their next two games against the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.

The Broncos would lose the tiebreaker to the Patriots for the No. 2 seed due to their head-to-head record this season.

4. AFC North Champ: Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

In a great comeback story, the Bengals win their next two games against the Steelers and Ravens to capture the AFC North title.

The Bengals defense has been playing great, and the running game has been rolling along with BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

5. Wild Card: Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

The Colts lose two games to the Texans (as mentioned above), but defeat the Chiefs to finish 10-6 and capture the AFC's No. 5 seed, just ahead of the Ravens.

6. Wild Card: Baltimore Ravens (9-7)

If the Ravens lost their final three games of the regular season, that would mean a five-game losing streak to end the regular season. 

As solid of a franchise as Baltimore is, I think that will be just the case, as the Ravens go on to lose to the Broncos, New York Giants and Bengals to finish as the AFC's No. 6 seed.

Sorry, Ravens fans, but your squad just hasn't been that impressive this season.

The Steelers would have to win out to capture the No. 6 seed from the Ravens, but I don't see that happening with the Cowboys and Bengals still on their slate.