Week 14's NFL Playoff Scenarios: Who Makes Playoffs and Wins Super Bowl?
The playoff scenarios for Week 14 are here and promise to stir up plenty of debate.
Following another Sunday filled with drama, the playoff picture remains cluttered in both the AFC and NFC.
It starts in the AFC West.
Kansas City recorded an ugly win against the woeful Denver Broncos, while the enigmatic San Diego Chargers were dominated by the visiting Oakland Raiders.
What a strange season it has been in the NFL.
After the stinker in Week 13, the odds of Norv Turner's team rallying to a postseason berth just got much, much worse.
Turning to the NFC, Green Bay remains out of the playoffs at the moment with the Giants and Saints currently occupying the Wild Card spots.
Will the Packers make a late push for the postseason?
The answer can be found inside this complete edition of NFL playoff scenarios for Week 14.
AFC East Winner: New England Patriots
1 of 23
The New England Patriots just keep finding a way, despite looking vulnerable on both sides of the ball.
Heading into tonight's huge clash with the Jets, the Pats look to be the team to beat in the AFC East.
If New England's young defense can hold up, the improved running game should help Bill Belichick claim another division title.
It's safe to say the Hoodie might have done his best coaching job this year.
AFC North Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
2 of 23
Troy Polamalu's forced fumble could end up being the play of the season for Pittsburgh.
At 9-3, the Steelers took control of the AFC North with Sunday night's win over their fierce divisional rivals.
Assuming Ben Roethlisberger stays in one piece, Pittsburgh should be able to fend off Baltimore down the stretch.
AFC South Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars
3 of 23
It's safe to say Jack Del Rio is no longer on the hot seat in Jacksonville.
In addition to the customary strong running game led by Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jags also have shown improvement throwing the ball with David Garrard and Marcedes Lewis enjoying fantastic seasons.
The AFC South race will come down to survival of the fittest.
Right now, the Jaguars have the fewest major holes and injury concerns.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
AFC West Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
4 of 23
Matt Cassel has gone from nearly being benched to having a Pro Bowl season.
After Sunday's workmanlike 10-6 win over Denver, Kansas City watched San Diego fall apart against fellow AFC West foe Oakland.
The Chiefs now have a comfortable lead over the Chargers heading down the stretch.
Suddenly, the team nobody is talking about is looking like a lock for the postseason.
Todd Haley deserves to be named NFL Coach of the Year for what he has been able to do with a very young team this season.
AFC Wild Card Winner: New York Jets
5 of 23
Sure, the Jets were expected to claim the division and coast to the Super Bowl.
There's nothing wrong with making the playoffs as a Wild Card team.
New York tends to lack focus and underachieve on a weekly basis, so limping into the postseason could bring out the best in Rex Ryan's team.
With the weather turning colder, it's time for the Jets to start running the ball effectively once again.
AFC Wild Card Winner: Baltimore Ravens
6 of 23
The Ravens were on the verge of sweeping the Steelers and taking a stranglehold on the AFC North.
Instead, Baltimore will now likely be forced to play on the road as a Wild Card team.
Joe Flacco is still looking to take the next step to become one of the NFL's best young quarterbacks.
He could emerge as a blossoming superstar with a strong performance in the postseason.
NFC East Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
7 of 23
Michael Vick makes the Eagles a formidable foe, regardless of the opponent.
Philadelphia and the New York Giants are both 8-4, but the Eagles are the healthier team right now and should be able to claim the division.
Nobody wants to play against Vick in the postseason.
NFC North Winner: Chicago Bears
8 of 23
The Bears have a slightly easier schedule than the Packers, by virtue of getting New England at home instead of on the road.
Chicago's defense has been consistently dominant all season long, and Jay Cutler has been fabulous in recent weeks.
The emergence of Earl Bennett at receiver has been a welcomed sight for Mike Martz's offense.
Get ready for some January football on the sandy turf of Soldier Field.
NFC South Winner: Atlanta Falcons
9 of 23
Matt Ryan deserves more consideration for the Most Valuable Player award with the season he is having for the Falcons.
After making a couple of mistakes Sunday against upstart Tampa Bay, Ryan helped engineer a stirring fourth-quarter comeback.
At 10-2, Atlanta is going to the postseason, one way or another.
NFC West Winner: St. Louis Rams
10 of 23
Somebody has to win the NFC West, and St. Louis could get the job done by finishing 8-8.
With Seattle playing three very difficult games before hosting the Rams to finish the season, there is an excellent chance Sam Bradford could play a home game in the postseason as a rookie.
Not many people saw that coming.
Behold the joys of parity in today's NFL.
NFC Wild Card Winner: Green Bay Packers
11 of 23
It likely will come down to the Packers, Giants and Saints fighting for the Wild Card spots.
New York has a very difficult schedule, including a trip to Lambeau Field in Week 16.
That would seem to open the door for the Packers, who face several challenges of their own in the final weeks of the season.
Hopefully, Green Bay never wears those ugly throwback uniforms ever again.
NFC Wild Card Winner: New Orleans Saints
12 of 23
The Saints still have to go to Atlanta and Baltimore down the stretch.
Despite having no running game, New Orleans has a chance to win one or both of those games while facing vulnerable pass defenses.
Look for Drew Brees to have another chance to lead his team to the Super Bowl in the competitive NFC postseason field.
It won't be easy.
AFC Wild Card Matchup: Baltimore Ravens Vs. Kansas City Chiefs
13 of 23
Winning at Arrowhead is never easy, but Baltimore is constructed to beat teams like the Chiefs.
It starts with stopping Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles on the ground.
Joe Flacco should be able to hook up with his receivers for several big plays to help the Ravens escape Kansas City with a win.
Prediction: Baltimore 24, Kansas City 13
AFC Wild Card Matchup: New York Jets Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
14 of 23
The Jets would get the chance to head to a warmer climate for a January playoff game against the surprising Jaguars.
Jacksonville is a good offensive team, but Mark Sanchez would be able to have his way against the Jags' secondary.
New York just has too many weapons and more big-game experience than Jacksonville.
Prediction: New York Jets 28, Jacksonville 16
NFC Wild Card Matchup: Green Bay Packers Vs. Chicago Bears
15 of 23
In their third meeting of the season, these storied rivals could produce another classic on the frozen tundra of Soldier Field.
Aaron Rodgers had considerable success the Bears in the first game, throwing for 316 yards and causing problems with his mobility.
Green Bay's offensive line has improved since that meeting, but Julius Peppers is virtually unstoppable when he decides to play hard.
He probably would show up for a playoff game.
On the other side, Chicago's offensive line has also improved since the beginning of the season.
The game likely will be won in the trenches, with both teams needing to protect their great young quarterbacks.
It's almost too close to call, but we'll give Green Bay the edge on a late field goal.
Prediction: Green Bay 24, Chicago 21
NFC Wild Card Matchup: New Orleans Saints Vs. St. Louis Rams
16 of 23
The two teams meet in Week 14 in what might end up being a playoff preview.
New Orleans presents a match-up nightmare for the Rams, with a lethal offense and a huge advantage in playoff experience on both sides of the ball.
At least Sam Bradford will get a little taste of postseason play in his rookie season.
Prediction: New Orleans 34, St. Louis 14
AFC Divisional Matchup: Baltimore Ravens Vs. New England Patriots
17 of 23
The Ravens blew a late lead to the Patriots when the two teams met earlier this season at Gillette Stadium.
Could history repeat itself?
Baltimore appears to be slightly better on both sides of the ball, but the secondary will give up plenty of yards regardless of the opponent.
Look for Tom Brady to engineer a late comeback, only to come up a little short.
Prediction: Baltimore 27, New England 23
AFC Divisional Matchup: New York Jets Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
18 of 23
Get ready for a physical game dominated by the defenses.
The Steelers have huge questions on the offensive line and probably won't be able to run the ball against the Jets.
With Ben Roethlisberger running for his life, it's tough to expect great things from the Pittsburgh offense.
Look for the Jets to force several turnovers and pull off the victory.
Prediction: New York Jets 20, Pittsburgh 16
NFC Divisional Matchup: Green Bay Packers Vs. Atlanta Falcons
19 of 23
In a rematch of one of the best games of the 2010 regular season, Green Bay would travel to Atlanta to face the balanced Falcons.
The Packers had no problem moving the ball against Atlanta in the first meeting, only to sputter in short-yardage situations.
That's what happens when you can't run the ball.
With the ability to run and pass effectively, the Falcons' offense appears to have a slight edge in this match-up.
Michael Turner explodes for three touchdowns to lead Atlanta one step closer to the Super Bowl.
Prediction: Atlanta 30, Green Bay 21
NFC Divisional Matchup: New Orleans Saints Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
20 of 23
While the other divisional games figure to feature more defense than offense, the Saints and Eagles could get into a shootout.
Neither team would stand much of a chance of stopping the other, meaning big plays could be the difference.
Look for the Michael Vick Experience to continue as the Eagles creep closer to the Super Bowl.
The Saints won't be the team of destiny this year.
Prediction: Philadelphia 35, New Orleans 30
AFC Championship Game: New York Jets Vs. Baltimore Ravens
21 of 23
New York was still searching for an identity when Baltimore pulled off the win in the New Meadowlands to open the season.
Things are a little different now.
The Ravens have the balance it takes to cause the Jets' defense problems, but it remains to be seen if they can execute in the clutch.
Look for quarterback play to be the difference in this game, with Mark Sanchez outplaying Joe Flacco.
Rex Ryan celebrates the trip to the Super Bowl by taking his shirt off after being drenched in Gatorade.
What a sight that would be...
Prediction: New York Jets 27, Baltimore Ravens 20
NFC Championship Game: Philadelphia Eagles Vs. Atlanta Falcons
22 of 23
Can you imagine the hype surrounding this game?
Not only would Vick be returning to Atlanta for the second time in two years to face his former team, he would also be facing a budding superstar in Matt Ryan.
A city once divided by controversy would be united in hoping Vick would come up a little bit short.
The Falcons are one of the few complete teams in the entire NFL, with no glaring holes on either side of the ball.
Look for the pressure to get to Vick and the Falcons to sneak into the Super Bowl.
Prediction: Atlanta 34, Philadelphia 28
Super Bowl: Atlanta Falcons Vs. New York Jets
23 of 23
One team was supposed to be here all along. The other was nothing more than an afterthought heading into the season.
One coach is a polarizing figure who is always good for a memorable quote.
The other coach's name might not even be known by those part-time fans who only tune in for the biggest games.
The stage would be set for one of the more interesting Super Bowl match-ups in recent memory.
Matt Ryan and Mark Sanchez would need to eliminate mistakes in the biggest game of their young careers, while the Roddy White-Darrelle Revis bout would be fun to watch.
In the end, the Jets seem to be more than just talk.
LaDainian Tomlinson scores the winning touchdown at Cowboys Stadium to help Rex Ryan's team live up to those great expectations.
What a wild ride it would be.
Prediction: New York Jets 31, Atlanta Falcons 27
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")