NFL Playoff Picture: Analyzing the Latest Scenarios for Week 15

They say good (and bad) things come in threes.

It’s pretty simple. Have a good closing three weeks in the NFL and if you are a contender, you are likely headed to the playoffs.

Stumble down the stretch and while you may finish the season with a winning record, that won’t necessarily translate into extra football come January.

We return once again to give you the playoff picture in the league as it currently stands. Meanwhile, we will also present which teams have the best odds of capturing the six postseason seeds in each conference.

Again, we’ll look at the games in Week 15 that will have the biggest impact on the potential playoff field. We will also include each contender’s remaining schedule. Also enclosed are all playoff-clinching or division-clinching scenarios for all teams this week.

And down the stretch we come…

Playoff-scenario information courtesy of NFL.com as well as Joe Ferreira: NFL Playoff Expert at CBSSports.com.

Current AFC Playoff Seeding

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

AFC No. 1 Seed: New England Patriots (10-3)

Off their first loss in eight games, the Pats got off to a sluggish start at San Diego on Sunday night.

The AFC East leaders certainly didn’t struggle to finish. After spotting the Chargers a 14-3 lead, New England scored 20 unanswered points on the way to a key 23-14 victory.

The Patriots have now won at least 10 games for the 12th consecutive season. More importantly, they opened up a three-game lead in their division with three games to play.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Dolphins (7-6), at Jets (2-11), vs. Bills (7-6)

Playoff Clinching Scenarios

1. Patriots clinch the AFC East title with a win or a tie vs. the Dolphins.

2. Patriots clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Dolphins and a loss by the Colts and a Bengals loss or tie and a Steelers loss or tie.

3. Patriots clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Dolphins and losses by the Colts and Broncos and a Steelers loss or tie.

4. Patriots clinch a playoff berth with a Bills loss or tie, a Texans loss or tie and losses by the Bengals, Steelers and Ravens.

6. Patriots clinch a playoff berth with a Bills loss or tie, a Chiefs loss or tie and losses by the Bengals, Steelers and Chiefs.

6. Patriots clinch a playoff berth with a Bills loss or tie, a Texans loss or tie, a Chiefs loss or tie and losses by the Ravens and Chargers.

AFC No. 2 Seed: Denver Broncos (10-3)

The ground attack that the Broncos have displayed in recent weeks has the team on another winning streak.

For the first time in 52 regular-season outings, quarterback Peyton Manning did not throw a touchdown pass. But up-and-coming running back C.J. Anderson found the end zone three times and Denver held off the Buffalo Bills, 24-17.

The Broncos ran for 133 yards on Sunday, bringing their team total to 548 yards rushing during the last three games—all wins. That’s more than halfway to the club’s total of 899 yards on the ground in their first 10 contests this season.

Remaining Schedule: at Chargers (8-5), at Bengals (8-4-1), vs. Raiders (2-11)

Playoff Clinching Scenarios

1. Broncos clinch the AFC West title with a win or a tie vs. the Chargers.

2. Broncos clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Chargers and losses by the Colts and Bengals and a Steelers loss or tie.

3. Broncos clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win over the Chargers and losses by the Colts and Bengals and the Broncos clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Steelers.

4. Broncos clinch a playoff berth with a Dolphins loss or tie and a Texans loss or tie and losses by the Bengals and Steelers.

5. Broncos clinch a playoff berth with a Dolphins loss or tie, a Texans loss or tie and a Browns loss or tie and a loss by the Ravens.

6. Broncos clinch a playoff berth with a Dolphins loss or tie, a Texans loss or tie, a loss by the Ravens and a win by the Steelers.

AFC No. 3 Seed: Indianapolis Colts (9-4)

In a little less than three seasons, Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has shown a flair for the dramatic.

Indianapolis fell behind 21-7 at Cleveland before rallying in the closing minute of the game for a 25-24 victory.

Luck was far from sharp, but came up big when necessary. He also committed three more turnovers, bringing his season total to 19 (13 interceptions, six lost fumbles), two of which were returned for touchdowns on Sunday.

The third-year quarterback may not be as Luc…uh, fortunate when his team hosts the opportunistic Houston Texans on Sunday. The Colts can wrap up a second straight AFC South title with a victory.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Texans (7-6), at Cowboys (9-4), at Titans (2-11)

Playoff Clinching Scenario

1. Colts clinch the AFC South with a win or tie vs. the Texans.

AFC No. 4 Seed: Cincinnati Bengals (8-4-1)

Last week, we questioned whether the Bengals actually wanted to return to Cincinnati after the team posted three consecutive road victories.

Well?

After going 13-0-1 in their previous 16 regular-season home games, the team dropped its second straight contest at Paul Brown Stadium. And just as was the case in that previous loss, it was to a divisional rival and it was by 21 points.

The Bengals watched the Pittsburgh Steelers come up with 25 fourth-quarter points and fell hard, 42-21. The loss narrowed Cincinnati’s lead in the AFC North to half a game over the Steelers, who will face the Bengals in Pittsburgh in Week 17.

Remaining Schedule: at Browns (7-6), vs. Broncos (10-3), at Steelers (8-5)

AFC No. 5 Seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

You may have a better chance at winning Powerball than actually trying to figure out what Mike Tomlin’s team will do on a weekly basis.

If you do opt to invest in a ticket, make sure one of your numbers is 26.

The Steelers followed up their home loss to the New Orleans Saints by rallying for a rousing 42-21 victory at Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is now 5-2 in its last seven games after a 3-3 start.

No. 26 is Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, who ran for 185 yards and two scores and caught six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Pittsburgh ran up 543 total yards against the Bengals’ once-heralded defensive unit.

Remaining Schedule: at Falcons (5-8), vs. Chiefs (7-6), vs. Bengals (8-4-1)

AFC No. 6 Seed: San Diego Chargers (8-5)

The team’s latest winning streak ended at three as the Bolts squandered an early 14-3 lead on their way to a 23-14 home loss to the Patriots.

Philip Rivers and his offensive mates were limited to 216 total yards and held the football for just 25:27 in the contest.

The Bolts are now two games behind the Broncos but host the division leaders this Sunday. A win by Peyton Manning and Co. gives Denver the AFC West title and leaves the Chargers scrambling for a wild-card berth.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Broncos (10-3), at 49ers (7-6), at Chiefs (7-6)

Current NFC Playoff Seeding

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

NFC No. 1 Seed: Arizona Cardinals (10-3)

Arizona managed to maintain its one-game lead in the NFC West thanks to a hard-earned 17-14 victory over the visiting Kansas City Chiefs.

The Cardinals got exactly 100 yards rushing from unknown Kerwynn Williams and got back to the formula that led them to their fast start: zero turnovers.

But the team doesn’t have a lot of time to celebrate its victory. There’s a Thursday night date with the St. Louis Rams on the horizon. But if the Cards win this week, odds are they will likely clinch a playoff berth (see below).

Remaining Schedule: at Rams (6-7), vs. Seahawks (9-4), at 49ers (7-6)

Playoff Clinching Scenarios

1. Cardinals clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Rams and the Cowboys/Eagles game does not end in a tie.

2. Cardinals clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Rams and a Lions loss and the Cardinals clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Packers.

3. Cardinals clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Rams and a loss by the Lions and a Packers loss or tie.

NFC No. 2 Seed: Green Bay Packers (10-3)

It proved to be a surprisingly close call for the NFC North leaders.

But close wasn’t close enough for the Atlanta Falcons. The Packers opened up a 31-7 halftime lead on Monday night and held on for a 43-37 victory.

Last week in the win over New England, Green Bay amassed 478 total yards. Against the Falcons, Aaron Rodgers and Co. did a bit better by rolling up 502 yards of total offense.

While Rodgers threw for 327 yards and three scores without an interception, running back Eddie Lacy continued his hot play. The second-year performer has now racked up an impressive 591 yards from scrimmage and scored seven touchdowns in his last five games.

Remaining Schedule: at Bills (7-6), at Buccaneers (2-11), vs. Lions (9-4)

Playoff Clinching Scenario

1. Packers clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Bills and a Cowboys loss and the Packers clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Cowboys.

NFC No. 3 Seed: Philadelphia Eagles (9-4)

On Thanksgiving Day at Dallas, the Eagles rolled up 256 yards rushing in a 33-10 victory.

Ten days later at home against the Seattle Seahawks, the Birds managed only 56 yards on the ground in a 24-14 loss.

Now off a physical game with the defending Super Bowl champions, Philadelphia welcomes a Cowboys team that has had some extra rest following a Thursday night win at Chicago.

It will be very interesting to see the response by the Eagles, who were limited to 139 total yards and 45 offensive plays by the Seahawks defense.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Cowboys (9-4), at Redskins (3-10), at Giants (4-9)

NFC No. 4 Seed: Atlanta Falcons (5-8)

One week after the team’s first win over a non-divisional opponent this season, the Falcons continued their recent offensive surge.

However, while 500 total yards and 29 points were enough to defeat the Arizona Cardinals, 465 yards and 37 points weren’t enough to ensure a victory at Lambeau Field.

That means, with three weeks to go, the NFC South is guaranteed that its champion will not have a winning record. And if the Falcons can win each of their next two games, that distinction will belong to them.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Steelers (8-5), at Saints (5-8), vs. Panthers (4-8-1)

NFC No. 5 Seed: Seattle Seahawks (9-4)

Better than a year ago?

Let’s not get too carried away. But the way the Seattle Seahawks are playing defense at the moment, the question bears asking.

In Week 13 at Kansas City, the defending champs fell to the Chiefs, 24-20. In their last three games, Seattle has allowed a combined 20 points and two touchdowns.

The team’s latest effort was a humbling of the Eagles, who managed only 139 total yards by game’s end. Meanwhile, Seattle rolled up 440 yards in the 24-14 victory and nearly doubled Philadelphia in offensive plays (85-45).

Remaining Schedule: vs. 49ers (7-6), at Cardinals (10-3), vs. Rams (6-7)

NFC No. 6 Seed: Detroit Lions (9-4)

It’s so far so very good for the Lions.

For the second straight week, Detroit was at home. And for the second consecutive game, it came away with a 34-17 triumph.

The Matthew Stafford-to-Calvin Johnson connection continued its recent resurgence. In their last two games, the duo has combined 19 times for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

The Minnesota Vikings come to town this week. Anyone want to hazard a guess on the final score?

Remaining Schedule: vs. Vikings (6-7), at Bears (5-8), at Packers (10-3)

Teams on the Bubble

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

AFC

Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

The Ravens bounced back nicely following a home loss to the Chargers. Baltimore spotted the Miami Dolphins a 10-0 lead before rallying for an impressive 28-13 victory.

The win assured that head coach John Harbaugh would enjoy his seventh non-losing season in as many years with the Ravens. Of course, that streak would be much more impressive if the team gets to the postseason for the sixth time over that span.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Jaguars (2-11), at Texans (7-6), vs. Browns (7-6)

Houston Texans (7-6)

Two straight wins and a lot of help around the league have elevated the Texans’ position in the playoff chase.

But getting to the postseason for the third time in four years won’t be easy. First, there’s the matter of beating the Colts at Indianapolis, something the Texans have never accomplished.

Of course, when you have running back Arian Foster and a team that has already forced 29 turnovers in 13 games, you can never say never.

Remaining Schedule: at Colts (9-4), vs. Ravens (8-5), vs. Jaguars (2-11)

Miami Dolphins (7-6)

There’s no room for error, especially in the AFC this season.

One week ago, the Dolphins were sitting in the sixth spot in the conference playoff picture. But a disheartening 28-13 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens brought Miami back to earth.

For the third straight game, the Dolphins defense looked helpless against the run. The Ravens rolled up 183 yards on the ground in rallying from a 10-0 first-quarter deficit.

Remaining Schedule: at Patriots (10-3), vs. Vikings (6-7), vs. Jets (2-11)

Kansas City Chiefs (7-6)

After winning five straight games, the Chiefs are now riding a three-game losing streak as the team fell short at Arizona, 17-14.

Kansas City’s defense has turned unheralded Latavius Murray, C.J. Anderson and now Kerwynn Williams into 100-yard running backs the last three weeks. The loss to the Cardinals eliminated Kansas City from winning the AFC West this season.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Raiders (2-11), at Steelers (8-5), vs. Chargers (8-5)

Buffalo Bills (7-6)

Following two straight wins, the Bills looked like they might have a little momentum heading into Denver last Sunday.

However, momentum wasn’t enough to prevent a 24-17 loss to the Broncos. Kyle Orton led his team to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a big loss and an even bigger blow to Buffalo’s postseason plans.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Packers (10-3), at Raiders (2-11), at Patriots (10-3)

Cleveland Browns (7-6)

There’s been plenty of speculation that Mike Pettine is about to make a quarterback change.

We’ll believe it when we see it. Of course, we could be seeing it sooner than later.

Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer threw for 140 yards in the team’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts. But the struggling signal-caller had more incompletions (17) than completions (14) and was picked off twice in the team’s latest setback.

Bleacher Report colleague Matt Fitzgerald reported, via ESPN, that we should see Johnny Manziel behind center when the Browns host the Bengals on Sunday.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Bengals (8-4-1), at Panthers (4-8-1), at Ravens (8-5)

NFC

Dallas Cowboys (9-4)

The Cowboys remain perfect…on the road.

Dallas’ 41-28 win at Chicago on Thursday night, combined with the Eagles’ home loss to Seattle three days later, has Jason Garrett’s squad tied atop the NFC East once again.

Now with a few extra days rest, the Cowboys head to Philadelphia for an NFC East showdown Sunday evening. The team hopes to make amends for a 33-10 home loss to the Birds on Thanksgiving Day.

Remaining Schedule: at Eagles (9-4), vs. Colts (9-4), at Redskins (3-10)

San Francisco 49ers (7-6)

Just to be clear, we are talking about the Niners’ playoff chances when it comes to “teams on the bubble.”

Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com seems to have a different interpretation. It could pertain to the future of head coach Jim Harbaugh, who appears to be on very shaky ground these days with the organization.

Even more shaky is the Niners’ chances of winning at Seattle on Sunday.

Remaining Schedule: at Seahawks (9-4), vs. Chargers (8-5), vs. Cardinals (10-3)

New Orleans Saints (5-8)

Can we get an explanation?

Please?

After winning 11 consecutive games at the Superdome, the Saints have now dropped four straight on their home turf. And things seem to be getting worse as New Orleans fell to the struggling Carolina Panthers, 41-10.

The Saints’ hope of winning the NFC South remains very viable, to say the least. And that may be the best way to phrase that.

Remaining Schedule: at Bears (5-8), vs. Falcons (5-8), at Buccaneers (2-11)

Carolina Panthers (4-8-1)

Despite the fact that the Panthers have won just twice in their last 11 games, the team is now even in the loss column with both the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

Carolina’s stunning 41-10 victory at New Orleans has the team in the thick of the NFC South race, for what it’s worth. And it keeps the club’s chances of repeating as division champions very much alive.

Remaining Schedule: vs. Buccaneers (2-11), vs. Browns (7-6), at Falcons (5-8)

Teams out of Contention

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

What to make of the AFC these days?

You are either in the playoff chase or way, way out of it.

The conference boasts 12 winning teams as we prepare to play the final three weeks of the season. But we’ll focus on the also-rans as the remaining clubs—the Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans—all boast identical 2-11 records.

And as funny as it sounds, the team that waited the longest to win one game in 2014 is the club that is doing the best job of playing spoiler these days.

After opening 0-10 and in the midst of a 16-game losing streak that dated back to last season, the Silver and Black prevailed in two of their last three contests and put a serious dent in the postseason plans of both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

Meanwhile, while both the Jaguars and Jets have played hard and find far more ways to lose than win, the Titans now own the league’s longest current losing streak at seven straight…and counting.

As far as the other conference, it’s the St. Louis Rams that are planning to make life rough for any team or teams looking to get to the playoffs. Jeff Fisher’s squad, which has won four of its last six games following a 2-5 start, has games remaining with the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks.

In regards to some of the other teams that could possibly play spoiler in the NFC, it should be noted that both the 6-7 Minnesota Vikings and 2-11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers have yet to win a divisional game this season.

On the other hand, one of the three wins by the woeful Washington Redskins this season came at Dallas. The ‘Skins host the Cowboys in Week 17. How’s that for a little food for thought?

Teams Eliminated From Playoffs

AFC: Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans

NFC: Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins

AFC Seeding Odds

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

AFC No. 1 Seed

Best Odds: New England Patriots

The Pats capped off an impressive stretch the last four weeks by rallying to beat the Chargers, 23-14, at San Diego.

Wins over the Colts and Lions along with a near miss at Green Bay put this team in the driver’s seat in not only the AFC East but the conference. New England has already defeated the other three first-place teams in the AFC this season, defeating the Bengals (43-27), Broncos (43-21) and Colts (42-20) by a combined 128-68 score.

Long Shot: Cincinnati Bengals

If you have had the road team the last five games the Bengals have played, you may be quite rich.

But that’s not any solace to head coach Marvin Lewis, whose team dropped a second straight contest at Cincinnati on Sunday, losing handily to the Steelers, 42-21.

The Bengals are now one-and-a-half games behind both the Patriots and Broncos in the AFC standings with three weeks to go. While Cincinnati hosts Denver in Week 16, it has already lost at New England this season.

Prediction: Patriots

AFC No. 2 Seed

Best Odds: Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning and Co. are a perfect 4-0 against their AFC West rivals this season and this week can wrap up a fourth straight divisional title with a win over the Chargers at San Diego.

As far as catching the New England Patriots for the top seed in the conference, a distinction that Denver has owned in both the 2012 and 2013 postseason, the Broncos remain very much in the hunt. But they have to hope that the current AFC East leaders stumble somewhere along the way. These days, that doesn’t appear very likely.

Long Shot: Pittsburgh Steelers

Thanks to Sunday’s rousing victory at Cincinnati, the Steelers are just a half game behind the Bengals for the division lead. And they host the defending AFC North champions the final weekend of the regular season.

Even if Pittsburgh should run the table and capture a division crown, it is two games behind both the Patriots and Broncos in the overall standings and it would take an epic collapse by one of those clubs for the Steelers to get a first-round playoff bye.

Prediction: Broncos

AFC No. 3 Seed

Best Odds: Indianapolis Colts

Down 21-7 at Cleveland on Sunday, Indianapolis rallied for a 25-24 victory and is now riding a three-game streak.

However, Chuck Pagano’s team still trails New England and Denver by one game in the AFC overall standings and has lost to both teams this season.

Long Shot: Baltimore Ravens

Despite their 8-5 overall record and being just on the outside looking in regarding a playoff berth, the Ravens' chances of catching the Bengals in the AFC North are all but nonexistent considering they were swept by Cincinnati this season.

Also, all five of Baltimore’s losses this season have come within the conference and the team is just 2-3 within the division.

Prediction: Colts

AFC No. 4 Seed

Best Odds: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are quickly becoming one of the league’s most explosive teams. They’ve already clinched the title of most unpredictable this season.

The 42-21 win over Cincinnati on Sunday put the club in position to sweep the Bengals this year. That would go a long way to capturing a division title for the first time since 2010.

But first things first and that’s a trip to Atlanta. And it’s worth noting that two of Pittsburgh’s five losses this season have come against the woeful NFC South.

Long Shot: Houston Texans

It may be unlikely but the Texans are still in the AFC South title hunt. The team trails the first-place Colts by two games and has already lost to Indianapolis at home this season.

However, if Houston can do what it has never done this week and beat the Colts on the road (0-12), things could get very interesting. Andrew Luck and Co. travel to Dallas in Week 16 while the Texans play their final two games of the season at home.

Hey, it is called a long shot for a reason.

Prediction: Steelers

AFC No. 5 Seed

Best Odds: San Diego Chargers

The Chargers remain alone in second place in the AFC West but are now two games behind the Broncos. Philip Rivers and his teammates host Denver on Sunday knowing that John Fox’s club can wrap up a division title with a win.

Still, the Bolts are more than capable of holding onto a playoff spot. While the team is a mere 6-4 within the conference, they do own wins over the Ravens and Bills, both of whom are in the mix for a postseason berth as well. Stay tuned.

Long Shot: Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have now dropped three straight after winning five in a row. Kansas City fell to the Cardinals on Sunday, 17-14, after taking an early 14-6 lead.

The defense continues to have its issues stopping the run, as an opposing running back (this time Arizona’s Kerwynn Williams) rushed for 100-plus yards for the third straight week.

Despite the fact that the team can still sweep the Chargers this season, the fact remains that Kansas City’s defense is looking less than average these days, making it a very uncertain commodity.

Prediction: Chargers

AFC No. 6 Seed

Best Shot: Cincinnati Bengals

It wasn’t long ago that this team looked like the clear front-runner in the AFC North. But Sunday’s loss to the Steelers and a trip to Cleveland this week have put the Bengals in a precarious position.

Cincinnati fell to the Browns at home earlier this season. A second loss to its intrastate rival would drop its divisional record to 2-3 with a trip to Pittsburgh ahead in Week 17.

While it’s very unlikely that the Bengals will be involved in any tiebreaking scenarios due to that fancy tie on their resume, falling behind the other teams with only five losses could be costly.

Long Shot: Cleveland Browns

A season of promise has turned into a bit of a roller-coaster ride in recent weeks.

But will this Sunday’s fun ride include a new quarterback at the controls?

Regardless, the Browns can really help themselves if they can complete a sweep of the Bengals on Sunday afternoon. That would give them a fighting chance in terms of winning the AFC North and, more importantly, a possible edge when it comes to reaching the postseason for the first time since 2002.

Prediction: Bengals

NFC Seeding Odds

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

NFC No. 1 Seed

Best Odds: Green Bay Packers

The Packers continue their amazing play at home this season. The team hung on for a 43-37 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night, which raised their record to 7-0 at Lambeau Field this season.

Green Bay owns the league’s longest current winning streak at five straight and there’s no room for error the rest of the way. Not only are the Detroit Lions just one game off the pace in the NFC North, the surging Seahawks are just one game behind in the conference standings.

Both teams own earlier wins over the Packers this season.

Long Shot: Dallas Cowboys

Beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night would go a long way to winning the NFC East title for this team. But grabbing the top seed in the NFC would be much taller of an order.

All four of the Cowboys losses this season are within the conference and all at home. And while Dallas does own a win over the Seahawks this year, Seattle as well as three other teams in the NFC own better records within the conference at the moment.

Prediction: Packers

NFC No. 2 Seed

Best Odds: Seattle Seahawks

Three straight impressive wins over playoff contenders, all by double digits, has the defending Super Bowl champions feeling pretty good these days.

And while it is possible for the Seahawks to catch and overtake the Packers for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, first things first and that’s winning their own division.

Of course, when you play defense the way Seattle is playing these days, running the table is a very distinct possibility.

Long Shot: Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals rallied to beat the Chiefs on Sunday at home, 17-14. Arizona is a perfect 7-0 in its own digs this season.

The team closes with three straight divisional foes, including visits to St. Louis (Thursday night) and San Francisco (Week 17). That perfect record at Glendale will be severely tested by the Seahawks in two weeks.

Prediction: Seahawks

NFC No. 3 Seed

Best Odds: Philadelphia Eagles

Well, so much for challenging the defending Super Bowl champions these days.

The Eagles totaled 139 yards of offense on 45 plays in a 24-14 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday. Suddenly that impressive win over the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day doesn’t look as daunting.

The Birds are a perfect 3-0 against their NFC East rivals these days. Of course, this week’s tilt vs. Dallas is Philadelphia’s final home game of the regular season.

Long Shot: Detroit Lions

It seems like it could be either NFC North feast or playoff famine for the Lions.

Despite nine wins and a second winning season in four years for the club, losses to the Cardinals and Panthers could eventually derail the team’s postseason chances.

Of course, Detroit could make this easy and win out, wrapping up a perfect 6-0 record against their longtime rivals and capturing a division title for the first time since 1993.

Prediction: Eagles

NFC No. 4 Seed

Best Odds: Atlanta Falcons

Like the New Orleans Saints, the Falcons are three straight wins from grabbing the NFC South title.

Unlike the Saints, Atlanta has yet to win three games in a row in 2013.

Six days after giving up 500-plus yards and 43 points in a loss to the Packers, this team will host the offensively potent Pittsburgh Steelers.

Of course, the saving grace for this club is that they still own that 40-36 overtime win over the Saints in Week 1.

Long Shot: Carolina Panthers

The Panthers, Falcons and Saints all have eight losses with three games to play this season. The only difference is that Carolina has only four victories compared to five wins for both Atlanta and New Orleans.

Given the state of all three teams, anything can and will happen. But the Panthers’ 19-17 home loss to Atlanta could come back to haunt this club, especially if they fail to beat the Falcons in Atlanta in the teams’ regular-season finale.

Prediction: Saints

NFC No. 5 Seed

Best Odds: Arizona Cardinals

Sunday’s win over the visiting Chiefs gave the team 10 wins for the second straight year. Last season, that wasn’t good enough to get into the playoffs.

The Cards finish this season with three straight NFC West opponents, two of them on the road. The team has a short week with a trip to St. Louis on Thursday. That also means they will have some extra time to prepare for the Seahawks, who they host in Week 16.

Will 11 wins be enough to ensure Arizona a playoff spot? A win by the Cardinals on Thursday at St. Louis and a winning result by either the Cowboys or Eagles on Sunday night will do just that.

Long Shot: Detroit Lions

Yes, this team is on the long-shot list for a second time this week.

The Lions offense has awoken in recent weeks but will it be too little too late for this team?

Detroit will finish with just its second winning campaign since 2001 thanks to its nine wins this season.

Here is the club’s predicament: After hosting Minnesota this week, the Lions finish the year at Chicago and at Green Bay. While Detroit beat the Bears at Soldier Field last season, it hasn't defeated the Packers on the road since 1991.

And keep in mind that the Lions dropped a 14-6 decision to the Cardinals last month.

Prediction: Cardinals

NFC No. 6 Seed

Best Odds: Dallas Cowboys

For the first time since 2009, this team will finish above .500.

Here’s the real question when it comes to this much-improved club: Can the Cowboys take advantage of the fact that the rival Eagles are coming off a physical game with the Seattle Seahawks while Dallas has some extra rest after a Thursday game at Chicago?

Let’s not forget that the Cowboys are a perfect 6-0 on the road this season.

Long Shot: San Francisco 49ers

After making an appearance in each of the last three NFC title games, the slumping Niners will now be hard-pressed to even make the playoffs.

For the third time this season, the team has lost two consecutive games after falling at Oakland on Sunday, 24-13. Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers have never lost three in a row. That fact will be severely tested this week when the club travels to Seattle.

Prediction: Cowboys

Week 15 Games with Biggest Playoff Implications

John Grieshop/Getty Images

Arizona (10-3) at St. Louis (6-7): The Cardinals and Rams square off on Thursday night and Bruce Arians knows that this St. Louis defense has rebounded after a slow start. The Rams come off back-to-back shutout victories over the Raiders (52-0) and Redskins (24-0).

Cincinnati (8-4-1) at Cleveland (7-6): It appears that Marvin Lewis and Co. would be more than happy to hit the road again. The Bengals were smoked on Sunday by the Steelers, 42-21, the team’s second straight loss at home. Cleveland pushed Cincinnati around last month and can sweep this series for the first time since 2002.

Denver (10-3) at San Diego (8-5): Seven weeks ago on a Thursday night at Denver, the Broncos came away with a 35-21 victory. The stakes are a little higher for John Fox and Co. this Sunday as a victory over the Bolts would give his team a fourth straight AFC West title.

Green Bay (10-3) at Buffalo (7-6): The Bills hung in at Denver but couldn’t score enough points on a day that Peyton Manning failed to throw a touchdown pass. The Packers held on for a 43-37 win on Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Can Buffalo’s potent pass rush slow down Aaron Rodgers?

Houston (7-6) at Indianapolis (9-4): Pretty simple. The surging Colts can wrap up the AFC South for the second consecutive season with a victory this week. The Texans are 0-12 lifetime at Indianapolis and lost the first matchup of the season between these teams earlier at Houston, 33-28. But can Colts quarterback Andrew Luck continue to get away with committing so many turnovers?

Miami (7-6) at New England (10-3): Way back in Week 1 at South Florida, the Dolphins rallied from a 20-10 halftime deficit for a 33-20 win over the Pats. Miami hasn’t swept this always interesting series since 2000, Bill Belichick’s first season as New England’s head coach. A Patriots win gives the franchise a sixth straight AFC East championship.

Pittsburgh (8-5) at Atlanta (5-8): The unpredictable Steelers continue to baffle prognosticators, while second-year running back Le’Veon Bell continues to frustrate opposing defenses. The Falcons made a game of it at Lambeau Field but 37 points wasn’t enough to beat the Packers on Monday night. In the oddest of statistics, these teams have met three times since 2002 and each game went into overtime.

San Francisco (7-6) at Seattle (9-4): Two weeks ago on Thanksgiving, the Seahawks came away with a 19-3 win at San Francisco. Now the defending Super Bowl champions can hand Jim Harbaugh a third straight loss for the first time since he became the Niners’ head coach.

Dallas (9-4) at Philadelphia (9-4): Déjà vu? Just like San Francisco and Seattle, these two teams just played on Thanksgiving Day and the Birds came up with a road win. Can the Dallas defense avoid being run over by LeSean McCoy and Co. for the second time in three weeks?

New Orleans (5-8) at Chicago (5-8): What a difference a division makes. The Saints are right in the thick of the NFC South race while the Bears find themselves dead last in the NFC North. Drew Brees and pals, 1-4 in their last five games after starting 4-4, can’t afford another stumble.