NFL Playoff Predictions 2012-13: Contenders That Won't Make Postseason

This is when it really starts getting interesting in the NFL.

With five playoff spots remaining in the league, there are several teams that have a legitimate shot of making it to the postseason.

The question is, who will ultimately fall short in the 2012-13 campaign?

Let's take a look (final records are in parentheses).

NFC

Minnesota Vikings (8-8)

As much as I want Adrian Peterson to lead the Vikings to the playoffs, it's the rest of the team that worries me.

The Vikings are 8-6 and in control of the NFC's No. 6 seed at the moment, in large part due to the demolition Peterson has caused throughout the course of the season. However, they face the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers next.

Even if the Vikings win their next two games (which I don't see happening), they still wouldn't qualify based on my picks for the next two weeks.

Chicago Bears (10-6)

I expect the Bears to win their next two games against the Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions, but it won't matter based on my picks for the next two weeks. 

In what is a rough season to be in the NFC, the Bears would finish 10-6 and not even capture a wild-card spot, based on the 10-6 New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks winning the tiebreakers.

Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

Under my projections, the Cowboys would have to win their next two games against the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins to capture the NFC East.

I certainly don't think the Cowboys will beat the Redskins in Week 17 with Robert Griffin III expected to be back. Heck, I don't even think the Cowboys will beat New Orleans this week based on their pass defense (7.6 yards per pass attempt allowed, 27th in the NFL).

AFC

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)

In my eyes, the 7-7 Steelers need to win their next two games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns to capture the AFC North (or a playoff spot, for that matter).

I don't think they'll even get as far as Week 17, though. They'll fall to the Bengals in Week 16. This team, burdened by a poor running game and aging defense, is too reliant on Ben Roethlisberger (more than usual).

The way the Bengals defense has been playing lately, I don't think Roethlisberger will be enough to lift the Steelers in Cincy.

What are your thoughts?