2010 NFL Predictions: AFC Playoff Picture

The AFC playoff picture is even tighter than the NFC's, and with seven weeks in the books nothing is going to get easier for the eight teams fighting for six playoff spots. Once again we'll look at each division and who will make it to the show. 

We'll start in the East where it's a two-horse race. Enjoy and be sure to leave comments.

AFC East Champion

The Jets have an easier schedule, a better defense and a more balanced offense than the Patriots, which gives them the upper hand in the AFC East. 

Mark Sanchez has found his way and the Jets running game is lighting teams up. Defensively they're stopping everyone even with Revis not 100 percent, and their starting defensive tackle out for the season. 

All of this gives Rex Ryan the ammunition to be even more cocky than he already is, and the Patriots a reason to fear the Jets for a second consecutive season. 

The Patriots are going through an identity crisis on offense and are giving up way too much yards and points on defense (evidenced by letting the Chargers come back yesterday). 

The Dolphins are a good team, but they're inconsistent and even worse they have bad luck as the ball bounced Pittsburgh's way yesterday. That could've been a huge win for Miami, but now it just goes down as a hard fought loss. 

AFC North Champion

The top two teams in the AFC North overcame scares yesterday, but the Steelers are still on top and I expect them to stay there.

The Ravens are a good team but their passing game doesn't show up every week and sometimes their defense can't bail them out (Week 2 against Cincinnati). They have some tough games left starting next week with Miami, and finish the season against the Bengals who've already beat them this season. 

Meanwhile the Steelers have just three true games left (Patriots, Ravens and Jets) and their season ends with games against Carolina and Cleveland. 

They're gaining chemistry on offense with Ben Roethlisberger back and their defense is ranked first in the NFL against the run and fifth in total defense. 

The Bengals have no shot to win the division, but could be a huge factor in determining who wins the north as they still have two games against the Steelers, and finish the season on the road against Baltimore. 

AFC South Champion

The Colts, like the Saints (but not as much) are finding this season a lot harder than last year. The Titans keep putting wins on the board and the Texans still have that explosive offense. 

The Texans pass defense and their inconsistency on offense will be the reason they once again get left out of the playoffs.

The Colts defense (ranked 21st in the NFL and 26th against the run) will allow teams to run all day and keep the ball of of Manning's hands, which will amount to losses at some point. 

That leaves the Titans. Their defense is physical and although they've been called dirty they haven't let it affect they way they play. The run game is always there for the Titans with Chris Johnson, but lately they've been passing the ball with a lot of success (whether it's Kerry Collins or Vince Young) and if they continue to do that, teams won't be able to load up against the run anymore. 

The only downside is the Titans have seven games left against opponents over .500 and two of those come against the Colts. If they can split, it will help. If they can sweep the Colts, the division is theirs. 

AFC West Champion

Matt Cassel looks confused in the photo above because he can't believe it's only Week 7 and the division belongs to the Chiefs.

The Raiders are the most inconsistent team in the league. The Broncos can't stop anyone (ranked 30th against the run) and don't have enough weapons on offense to make up deficits, and the Chargers are basically the Cowboys without the talent. 

So as long as the Chiefs win nine games they're in the show. Their offense has scored over 30 points three times this season and is ranked first in rushing yards (176.5 per game) which means all Cassel has to do is not turnover the ball and throw the occasional TD, which he's done. 

The defense is at the bottom of the league in defending the pass, but their front seven is solid, especially against the run, which gives them just enough defense to keep teams from winning. 

The Chiefs schedule is in their favor as they play just two teams over .500 (Tennessee and Seattle) the rest of the way and play the Bills, Raiders (twice), Rams and Cardinals.

Wild Card Teams

The Colts and Ravens won't win their divisions and will have to go on the road, but that's no reason to sleep on them. 

The Colts still have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Peyton Manning and no matter who is in the huddle with him he puts points on the board and wins. The Colts defense has a lot of problems, but they're still a veteran unit that shows up for big games. They know who they are and play within their limits.  

The Ravens still have one of the best running games in the league (114.9 rushing yards per game) and when Flacco is on he has the receivers in Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin to get the ball down the field in a hurry. 

They also have a defense that still puts fear in the heart of NFL QBs, and is sixth in the league in points per game (18.4). Also with safety Ed Reed on his way back, their turnovers should go up. 

One of these teams will win on Wild Card weekend. 

The End

Thanks for reading and be sure to comment on who you think will make the playoffs.