Predicting the NFL Playoffs If the Season Ended Now

The final three weeks of the NFL season will be among the most fascinating in league history.

Just check out the current playoff standings, where 12 different teams in the AFC have a record above .500. That's an unprecedented total, as no other team in the conference has between three and six victories. 

In the NFC, the big storyline is the NFC South, where the division champion could have as few as six victories. It's already been determined that the winner will have a non-winning season, the first since the 2010 Seattle Seahawks. 

Based off the current playoff seedings, here is my prediction for the playoffs. So essentially, these would be my predictions for the postseason based off the current playoff seeding.

WILD-CARD ROUND

Philadelphia (3) over Detroit (6)

In a battle between one of the league's top offenses and top defenses, the edge has to go to the home team. The Lions have enjoyed a surprising season, boasting one of the league's most impressive pass rushes, but the Eagles have shown an ability to score on offense, defense and special teams.

This should be a relatively easy win—Chip Kelly's first in the playoffs as a head coach.

Seattle (5) over Atlanta (4)

No one will give Atlanta a chance in the world in this game. No one should, either. The Seahawks are the most dominant team in the NFL right now. They've shut down Green Bay and Philly's high-powered offenses this year. Atlanta won't have a chance, even with the dangerous Julio Jones.

Indianapolis (3) over San Diego (6)

Both the Colts and the Chargers boast one of the league's top quarterbacks, as well as a surprisingly competent defense.

But in this particular battle, I'll take the Colts, who scored the second-most points in the league this year and have the luxury of a home playoff game.

Pittsburgh (5) over Cincinnati (4)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are probably the third-best team in the AFC right now. With Ben Roethlisberger and perhaps the league's best set of wide receivers, I like the Steelers' chances in a shootout against almost anybody.

But the Bengals, under Andy Dalton, haven't even scored 20 during any of their three playoff losses. Even in Cincinnati, expect the Steelers to easily take care of business in a game that could cost head coach Marvin Lewis (now 0-6 in the playoffs) his job.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

Green Bay (2) over Philadelphia (3)

When these two teams met in Green Bay a few weeks ago, the Packers turned in a dominating 53-20 victory. They controlled all three facets of the game, even taking back a punt and a fumble for a touchdown.

It's hard to give a team quarterbacked by Mark Sanchez, even with Kelly, a chance against the game's best quarterback.

Seattle (5) over Arizona (1)

Without Carson Palmer, who had successfully revived his career under Bruce Arians, it's hard to see Arizona scoring more than 14 points against the league's most dominant defense.

Backup quarterback Drew Stanton is ordinary, and he'll be exposed against Richard Sherman and company. This is the type of game where the Seahawks defense could legitimately outscore the Cardinals offense.

Denver (2) over Indianapolis (3)

Even though Andrew Luck has shown that he can beat Peyton Manning in Denver, it's not a stretch to say that Denver is a big step above the Colts this season. 

While the Colts are centered primarily around Luck, the Broncos have become much more balanced within the last year. Featuring one of the game's best pass rushes and a top duo at cornerback, the Broncos have the manpower to win in a shootout or a low-scoring affair.

New England (1) over Pittsburgh (5)

The Steelers might actually have the receiving threats to keep up with the Patriots, and watching Darrelle Revis cover Antonio Brown would be one of the top individual battles of the entire postseason.

But I'll take Tom Brady and the Patriots' new power-rushing attack over Roethlisberger and Le'Veon Bell. It'd be a close game, but the Patriots—at home—would find ways to win.

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Green Bay (2) over Seattle (5)

Easily the top two teams in the conference, this is a rematch of Week 1, where the Seahawks thrashed the Packers. Don't expect Aaron Rodgers to be shut down again, though.

He won't light up Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas for 400 yards and four touchdowns, but an efficient Rodgers and an effective dose of Eddie Lacy should be enough to squeak by the Seahawks in a low-scoring game.

New England (1) over Denver (2)

Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning in the postseason for the fifth time? Yes, please. Brady won the first two meetings against Manning, back in 2003 and 2004, but it's Manning who has come away with victories in the two rematches.

If the regular-season matchup is any indication, the Patriots are the significantly better team. I expect them to win to advance to their sixth Super Bowl in the last 14 seasons.

They're almost unbeatable at home, and as good as the Broncos are, the Patriots are more well-rounded and just a little bit better. 

SUPER BOWL

Green Bay (2) over New England (1)

Aaron Rodgers vs. Tom Brady? Now here's a game that would rank among Dan Marino vs. Joe Montana and Drew Brees vs. Peyton Manning among the all-time best matchups between Super Bowl quarterbacks.

The Packers won the regular-season contest, a trend I expect to continue in the postseason. Rodgers is playing better than any quarterback in the league right now, and the Patriots defense has shown a tendency for failing in the clutch in just about every big game New England has played over the last decade.