Predicting All NFL Division Winners and Wild-Card Teams for 2014

Farzin VousoughianNov 11, 2014

As we inch closer to the middle of November, the NFL postseason is upon us and the intensity begins to build. Some teams have a strong lead and want to finish strong, while several contending teams feel the sense of urgency to close the gap and make a run.

Although seven weeks remain in the season, teams will become more aggressive and fight harder to clinch the playoffs and try to earn the highest seed possible.

In this slideshow, we will project the four division winners and two wild-card teams for each conference. Which 12 NFL teams will extend their seasons in January? Check out this slideshow for our predictions.

AFC North: Cleveland Browns

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The AFC North features four teams all above .500. The craziest part is that the Cleveland Browns have a shot at emerging as division winners.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer has done a good job taking care of the football, throwing only four interceptions and committing just one fumble so far this season. Alongside Hoyer’s performance and his ability to take care of the ball, Cleveland’s defense has been a pleasant surprise, as they are second in the NFL in interceptions with 13.

The division race is tight, but expect the Browns to get into the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season.

AFC East: New England Patriots

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After New England’s debacle in Kansas City on Monday Night Football earlier this year, the Patriots knew they were better than their 2-2 record after four weeks.

Since that loss, the Patriots have yet to drop a game.

While going 5-0 at home, Tom Brady has had the hot hand that has helped the Patriots manufacture a five-game winning streak. After a big win over Denver, the Patriots are vying for the top seed in the AFC.

Miami and Buffalo are just two games behind New England, but they have a more realistic chance of reaching the playoffs as a wild-card team.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

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The Colts find themselves with a comfortable lead in the AFC South and should clinch the division early in December. Indianapolis’ biggest goal is to earn either a No. 1 or 2 seed in the AFC.

When the Colts play host to the Patriots on Sunday Night Football this week, they will have an opportunity to put themselves at either one of the top two spots, depending on how Denver does in St. Louis.

With the best passing game in the NFL, the Colts will make a run and compete for one of those two spots in order to earn another bye week.

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AFC West: Denver Broncos

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Even though the Broncos are in a very competitive division with the Chiefs and Chargers, it is hard to pick against a team with Peyton Manning under center. Their high-scoring offense has allowed the team to stay undefeated at home and in games within the AFC West.

Like Indianapolis and New England, the question with Denver is where it will finish in the AFC going into the postseason.

The Broncos had a successful season, yet they had a rough finish in last year’s Super Bowl. Whether they earn a bye week or not in the postseason, the Broncos want to find a way to get back to the Super Bowl, as they have some unfinished business.

AFC Wild Card: Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers

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The Chiefs find themselves in a very good spot after wins against the Bills, Dolphins and Chargers—all teams likely to make the playoffs by clinching a wild-card spot.

A slow start may keep the Chiefs away from winning the division. However, under Andy Reid’s guidance, the Chiefs know they are capable of doing a lot (they have won six of their last seven).

Although the Chargers have slipped drastically, currently riding a three-game losing streak, don’t doubt an offense with Philip Rivers as the quarterback. Although San Diego is behind in the wild-card race at the moment, a win over the Ravens in Week 13 will give the Chargers the upper hand against a couple of wild-card contending teams in tiebreakers due to head-to-head victories.

AFC Overview

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AFC North: Cleveland Browns

AFC East: New England Patriots

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

AFC West: Denver Broncos

AFC Wild Card: Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers

1. New England Patriots

2. Denver Broncos

3. Indianapolis Colts

4. Cleveland Browns

5. Kansas City Chiefs

6. San Diego Chargers

NFC North: Green Bay Packers

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The Green Bay Packers have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers, who has 25 touchdowns and just three picks with a 120.1 passer rating. Rodgers has helped Green Bay’s offense immensely, as he has multiple viable options around him.

The Packers are currently a game behind the Detroit Lions, as both teams should make the playoffs.

With the Packers playing at home in Week 17 against the Lions, the Packers will likely win the NFC North after the final game—and possibly clinch a first-round bye.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

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The NFC East features a pair of seven-win teams in the Eagles and Cowboys. The crazy part is, the two teams have yet to play this season. But expect the Eagles to barely win the NFC East.

Quarterback Mark Sanchez, having replaced Nick Foles after an injury, has plenty of weapons on offense with Jeremy Maclin, Jordan Matthews, LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles. Even in its two losses, Philadelphia’s offense has scored at least 20 points in every game this season. On the other side, the Eagles have a dominant defense, leading the NFC in sacks with 32.

The Eagles and Cowboys play twice within three weeks—with both games being nationally televised—giving NFL fans a better look at how the NFC East will shape up.

NFC South: New Orleans Saints

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The NFC South is not the most exciting division in the NFL, as the Saints (with a 4-5 record) currently lead the division. All four teams are separated by no more than three wins. Defensively, the Saints have struggled and allowed 25 points per game.

However, the offense has managed to make up for it, ranking in the top six in total offense, passing, rushing and scoring.

Given the offensive success, the Saints will soon build a bigger gap in the division and likely win it with a record above .500.

NFC West: Arizona Cardinals

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The Arizona Cardinals appeared to be on their way to earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC after an 8-1 start, but after quarterback Carson Palmer suffered a season-ending ACL injury, some understandably believe Arizona’s chances of winning the NFC and the NFC West could be in jeopardy. However, a good offense was just part of Arizona’s success.

The Cardinals lead the NFL in interceptions with 14 and tie for second in takeaways with 19. Among all of their wins, the Cardinals have not allowed more than 20 points this year.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks have been up and down throughout the year coming off a Super Bowl win.

The Cardinals and Seahawks will play in Weeks 12 and 16. Drew Stanton has been a career backup since coming out of Michigan State and is now being given a chance to prove he can take Arizona’s 8-1 start and build on it.

NFC Wild Card: Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions

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The Dallas Cowboys could fall short against the Eagles, forcing them to deal with a wild-card spot instead. With Demarco Murray running the ball, the Cowboys will propel into the playoffs and will avoid finishing a season at 8-8.

As for the Lions, they currently hold a lead in the NFC North, but the Packers have a lot of firepower and will overtake Detroit for the top spot in the division.

Both the Cowboys and the Lions are involved in competitive divisions. Both could end up winning their divisions. Either way, don’t be surprised if two NFC teams become wild-card teams with 11 wins. The odds of a 10-win team missing the postseason from the NFC side (possibly Seattle) are very likely as well.