NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting New England Patriots, Other Division Winners

It is getting to that part of the season where we are starting to get an idea of who might make the playoffs.

The Patriots seem like a pretty sure bet to win their division, but almost every other spot at the top is up for grabs.

The parity in the NFL this season has been incredible, and after the Patriots, there is no real clear second-best team.

But here are my best guesses as to who will win their division.

AFC East: New England Patriots

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears tries to avoid Eric Moore #98 and Gerard Warren #92 of the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jon

The Patriots are back, there is no debating that.

They hold a two-game lead over the Jets with three games left to play and they have already clinched a playoff spot.

Their game against the Bills is an almost guaranteed win, which means they just have to beat the Packers or Dolphins to win the division.

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Pittsburgh currently holds a one-game lead over Baltimore going into the final three weeks.

Two of their final three games should be easy wins against Carolina and Cleveland and a likely win against a Jets team that has struggled the last two weeks.

Even if the Steelers only win two of those games, the Ravens have to run the table against a schedule that includes the New Orleans Saints.

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Colts won 30-28. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Colts are currently a game behind the Jaguars, but they play them this week.

And the Colts will win for two simple reasons: Experience, and a guy named Peyton Manning.

It's stupid to bet against Peyton this time of year, so I won't. Even if I am rooting for the Jags to win this division.

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 12: Quarterbaqck Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers calls scrambles in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. the Chargers won 31-0. (Photo by Stephen Dun

In all reality, this is the Chiefs' division to lose.

They play three teams they should beat with St. Louis, Tennessee and Oakland.

But I expect them to slip up at least once and for the Chargers to run the table. 

Similarly to Manning, I find it hard to bet against Philip Rivers this time of year. 

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The two teams at the top of this division control their own destiny.

They face off this week with the division on the line, pretty much. A win puts either team ahead by a game.

If the Eagles win like I expect them to, then they will have a one-game edge as well as a tiebreaker, which will virtually guarantee them the division. 

Despite winning last week, Giants quarterback Eli Manning still managed to look awful.

Even if the Giants do lose to Philly, they should have a chance to secure a Wild Card berth if they beat Green Bay the following week.

NFC North: Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears fields a punt against the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

This isn't so much because I believe in the Bears, but because of Green Bay's ending schedule: The New England Patriots, New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

Three division leaders in consecutive weeks.

The Packers have to make-up a game against the Bears and their only real shot at that is beating the Bears and one of those other teams, which I don't think they can do.

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

My gut says Saints, my logic says Falcons.

The Falcons already beat the Saints on the road and now they have a chance to win their division in their own confines. 

Even if they don't, then all the Falcons have to do is beat Seattle and Carolina to win the division.

NFC West: ?

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Brandon Gibson #11 of the St. Louis Rams is tackled by Malcom Jenkins #27 of the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Put these three names into a hat: San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks.

Now pull one out.

There's your division winner!

Really, there's no way to predict which of these teams will step up to the plate in the last week of the season.

They are all pretty much awful, and frankly, whichever team wins will be eliminated the first week of the playoffs.

If only Warner had returned, the Cardinals probably would have won this crapshoot.