NFL Playoff Scenarios: Predicting the Division Winners

At this time one year ago, the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers had already placed their respective divisional crowns atop their heads.

Fast-forward to 2010, and with only two weeks remaining in the regular season, not a single divisional winner has been crowned.

Many have called the 2010 NFL season a year of paradox, and that may be the most sufficient way to describe this incalculable season. But as the season draws to a close, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus.

There are some familiar faces atop each division, but there are also a few newcomers who have the opportunity to dethrone some perennial powerhouses.

AFC East: New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates a touchdown scored by running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis #42 (not pictured) against the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

Who's in Contention: New England Patriots (12-2), New York Jets (10-4)

A cozy two-game lead paired with two cupcake divisional games to polish off the season should secure the Pats' spot atop the AFC East. They are playing arguably the best football in the entire NFL and are currently the front runners to represent the AFC in Super Bowl XLV.

The Jets' streaky play erased their chances of erasing the deficit earlier this season, and a testy Week 16 matchup in Chicago paves a rocky path for Gang Green.

Winner: New England Patriots

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 19: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wi

Who's in contention: Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4), Baltimore Ravens (10-4)

Both the Steelers and the Ravens will finish off the 2010 regular season with matchups against the league's bottom feeders. The Ravens will visit Cleveland and play host to the Bengals, while the Steelers will face off against the Panthers and the Browns.

The Browns will provide both teams with a trying test, but it is difficult to foresee either team slipping up against an inferior opponent at such a vital juncture of the season.

The Steelers hold the tiebreaker in the AFC North, and although the Ravens may be playing better football right now, Pittsburgh will walk away with the divisional crown.

Winner: Steelers

AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 19: David Garrard #9 of the Jacksonville Jaguars hands off to Maurice Jones-Drew #32 against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Who's in contention: Indianapolis Colts (8-6), Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)

According to logic, the Jacksonville Jaguars will win the AFC South. But sometimes, particularly when Peyton Manning is involved, logic is irrelevant.

Still, the Colts have an absolutely terrifying matchup in Oakland next weekend. Indy must travel to the West Coast to face the Raiders' second-ranked rushing offense and fifth-ranked passing defense. In other words, the Raiders are the Colts' worst nightmare.

Meanwhile, the Jags will face a frazzled Redskins squad followed by a dejected Texans team.

Most can agree the Colts are easily the superior team, but their struggles with injuries and next week's matchup in Oakland make that possibility look rather thin.

Winner: Jaguars

AFC West: San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Who's in contention: Kansas City Chiefs (9-5), San Diego Chargers (8-6)

Even without Antonio Gates, the Chargers are arguably the hottest team in the league. The return of Vincent Jackson has provided a massive boost to this injury-plagued passing game, and San Diego boasts the top ranked defense in the NFL.

The Chiefs, despite incredibly consistent and resilient play this season, are cursed with two rough matchups to cap off the regular season. Kansas City will have to fend off the Titans and the Raiders, while San Diego only has to plow through the lowly Bengals and Broncos.

Although the Chiefs will play both games in Arrowhead and the Chargers will play both games on the road, San Diego owns the divisional tiebreaker, and Kansas City could easily slip up in one of its final two games.

Winner: Chargers

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs in the game winning touchdown on a punt return against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ni

Who's in contention: Philadelphia Eagles (10-4), New York Giants (9-5)

The Eagles' improbable, ridiculous, insane Week 15 victory in the Meadowlands might have crushed Giants fans' souls nationwide, but it did not eliminate New York from contention in the NFC East.

However, two tough road games in Green Bay and Washington make Big Blue's chances of dethroning the Eagles slim. The Giants have little room for error, though. One loss might eliminate them from a potential Wild Card berth.

Philadelphia will square off against the Vikings and Cowboys to cap off 2010. Their Week 15 win could work as a positive or a negative given the huge boost in morale and confidence they will receive. Either way, Michael Vick and the Eagles offense are firing on all cylinders, and they should walk away with the divisional title.

Winner: Eagles

NFC North: Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Earl Bennett #80 of the Chicago Bears celebrates the first of two 1st half touchdown catches against the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Who's in contention: Chicago Bears (9-4), Green Bay Packers (8-6)

Aaron Rodgers' untimely concussion in Week 14 may have stripped the Packers of the NFC North crown. Without Rodgers, Green Bay lost to the Lions and a Patriots team that appeared at their worst on Sunday night.

The Bears have been flying under the radar all season long as everybody waited for their "inevitable" collapse and assumed the Pack would eventually run away with the division. Yet Jay Cutler & Co. remained calm and collective until they did, in fact, collapse against the Patriots last week.

Chicago has an excellent chance to rebound against a Joe Webb-led Vikings team on Monday night and lock up the division. Barring an epic collapse, the Bears will fend off the injury-plagued Pack.

Winner: Bears

NFC South: Atlanta Falcons

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass 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)

Who's in contention: Atlanta Falcons (12-2), New Orleans Saints (10-4)

While their former quarterback steals the NFL spotlight, Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons have compiled the best record in the NFC. The Falcons have been one of the league's most consistent teams on both sides of the ball, and the Eagles might be the only team that can drag down this NFC South goliath.

The Saints may have suffered from a Super Bowl hangover during the early portions of the 2010 season, but they racked up six straight wins before dropping a game to the Ravens on Sunday. They are still one of the league's hottest teams and are in prime position to snatch a Wild Card berth.

These two will face off on Monday night in Week 16, but even if New Orleans is able to steal a victory in Atlanta, the Falcons will host the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 17, which should allow them to clinch the division with relative ease.

Winner: Falcons

NFC West: St. Louis Rams

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams scrambles to pass the football during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeate

Who's in contention: St. Louis Rams (6-8), Seattle Seahawks (6-8), San Francisco 49ers (5-9)

Believe it or not, the NFC West is the most heated divisional race in the NFL.

Despite sitting a game behind their competition, the 49ers might have the easiest path to the title. However, they must face the Rams in St. Louis this week, and San Francisco's 1-6 road record would suggest they will not be able to topple Sam Bradford & Co. in next week's high stakes affair.

Plus, both the Seahawks and the 49ers will be forced to rebound from devastating home blowouts if they wish to stay in contention.

The Rams have been easily the most consistent team in this historically awful division, and although they might have to win in a hostile Seattle environment to clinch the division in Week 17, this feisty St. Louis squad should eke it out.

Winner: Rams