NFL Playoffs 2017-18: Bold Predictions for AFC and NFC Matchups

After a wild Week 14 in the NFL, the stage is set for a thrilling finish to the season. 

With three weeks left to play, only two teams—the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles—have locked up playoff berths. 

A few of the division races are so tight that they likely won't be settled until Week 17, making every remaining game a must-win for many playoff contenders. 

Based on where the teams stand entering Week 15 and taking into account their remaining schedules, here's a breakdown of the projected playoff seeds for each conference and some bold predictions for how the final three weeks of the season will play out. 

Projected AFC Playoff Seeds

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

2. New England Patriots

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

4. Kansas City Chiefs

5. Baltimore Ravens

6. Buffalo Bills

Bills Sneak In as No. 6 Seed

The Bills' playoff hopes were looking bleak Sunday afternoon as they were nearly upset by the Indianapolis Colts with third-string quarterback Joe Webb closing out the game. 

Despite the struggles Sunday, however, things could start looking up for the Bills if starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor is able to return. On Monday, ESPN.com's Mike Rodak reported that Taylor is optimistic he'll be able to return for the Bills' final three games:

As long as Taylor returns, Buffalo's favorable schedule down the stretch gives the Bills an excellent chance to sneak into the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. 

The Bills will play the Dolphins twice in the final three games, with a matchup against the Patriots sandwiched in between. Even if the Bills lose to New England, two wins over the Dolphins would put them at 9-7, which should be enough to land them in the postseason. 

Buffalo's toughest competition will be the Los Angeles Chargers and Tennessee Titans, who could also end up with 9-7 records at season's end. However, both teams face significantly more challenging schedules through the final three weeks. 

The Chargers still have to face the Chiefs, Jets and Raiders—all games Los Angeles could lose. Tennessee has what should be an easy win against the 49ers but then closes out the year with the Rams and Jaguars. 

Ravens Run the Table, Cruise into No. 5 Seed

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

As of right now, the Ravens are on the outside of the playoff picture, but they have arguably the league's easiest schedule through the final three games. 

Baltimore closes out its season with the Browns, Colts and Bengals—three games in which the Ravens should be heavily favored. 

Pittsburgh clinched the AFC North by knocking off the Ravens on Sunday night, but if Baltimore wins out, it will likely lock down the No. 5 seed and travel to face the AFC West winner in the first round of the playoffs. 

Projected NFC Playoff Seeds

1. Philadelphia Eagles

2. Minnesota Vikings

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Los Angeles Rams

5. Carolina Panthers

6. Atlanta Falcons

Eagles Win No. 1 Seed Despite Losing Carson Wentz

ESPN's Adam Schefter delivered some bad news to Eagles fans on Monday morning about their starting quarterback:

Despite losing Wentz, the Eagles' season may not be lost. 

Running the table will be more difficult with Nick Foles at quarterback, but a Week 15 road game against the Giants and home games against the Raiders and Cowboys are all winnable matchups. 

The Vikings are also in contention for the No. 1 seed; however, they have already lost the common opponents' tiebreaker to Philadelphia. As a result, the Eagles only need to win two of their final three games to clinch the top spot in the NFC. 

NFC South Sends 3 Teams to Postseason

John Bazemore/Associated Press

At 9-4, the Saints and Panthers are in excellent position to advance to the postseason, barring a complete collapse down the stretch. So the NFC South should get at least two teams into the postseason. 

The 8-5 Falcons, sitting at No. 6 in the NFC, have more work to do but still appear to be cruising toward the playoffs. 

The race for the No. 6 seed is tight, with the Seahawks, Lions, Packers and Cowboys all within one game of Atlanta. But all four of those teams have one important thing in common: They lost to the Falcons. 

It's extremely rare for a team to have such a widespread head-to-head tiebreaker with their closest competition, but even if there were a five-way tie for the No. 6 seed between those contenders, Atlanta would cruise into the playoffs. 

As long as Atlanta wins two of its final three games, last year's NFC champs should be headed back to the postseason.