NFL Playoff Predictions: Which Hard-Luck Teams Will Be Left Out?

The final week of the 2010 NFL season is upon us, with several playoff spots still up for grabs. Most teams know their destiny; New England has home field advantage in the AFC, Philadelphia has the third spot in the NFC, and Carolina has the top pick in the draft and was out of the playoff race a long time ago.

There are seven football teams fighting for three playoff spots. To make things more interesting, every team is fighting for only one specific playoff spot out of the three. Indianapolis and Jacksonville want to clinch the AFC South, St. Louis and Seattle want to clinch the NFC West, and Green Bay, Tampa Bay, and New York are all fighting for the final wild card spot. Who will win their divisions, and who will be left out of the playoffs?

AFC North Race

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 23: James Farrior #51 of the Pittsburgh Steelers pumps up the crowd during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Before we look at the bubble teams, let's look at the two divisional races yet to be decided. The first is the AFC North. The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers are both 11-4 and have clinched a playoff spot. Now they're just fighting for the AFC North and a first-round bye.

Both have divisional matchups, with the Ravens facing the Bengals and the Steelers facing the Browns. Both are clear favorites heading in the matchup. All Pittsburgh has to do is win this matchup and they win the North since they have the tie-breaker. Do I see the Ravens winning and Steelers losing? I find that hard to believe. Pittsburgh will clinch a bye and Baltimore will clinch a wild card spot.

NFC South Race

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Michael Jenkins #12 of the Atlanta Falcons reaches for a pass in front of Tracy Porter #22 of the New Orleans Saints during their game at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty

The second matchup solely for a divisional spot is the NFC South, thanks to a Monday night win by the New Orleans Saints over the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints are still a game behind the Falcons, but can win the division with a win over Tampa Bay and an Atlanta loss to Carolina.

Yes, the Falcons would have to lose to the Panthers to avoid clinching both the division and the top seed in the playoffs. It's a safe bet the Falcons will win the South and the Saints will clinch the fifth playoff spot, the first of two wild cards.

Indianapolis Colts

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 26: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a throwing a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 26, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed

Now let's get to the seven bubble teams. First up is a team not used to having to play the final week of the season for a playoff spot, the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts can clinch a division win with a win against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have had their fair share of problems this year and would likely prefer this season to be over.

Would the Titans actually be able to help Jacksonville out and knock out the Colts? They lost the first time, and I can't see Kerry Collins having that good of a game again. The Colts are lucky Manning snapped out of a bad streak.

Verdict: In

Jacksonville Jaguars

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Rex Grossman #8 of the Washington Redskins is pressured by Tyson Alualu #93 and Jeremy Mincey #94 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the game at EverBank Field on December 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (P

The Jaguars were also not expected to compete for a playoff spot in the final week, just for the opposite reason that the Colts were. Nonetheless, the Jaguars can still make the playoffs with a Colts loss and a win over the Houston Texans, as they hold the tie-breaker.

Can they beat the Texans? I see no reason why they couldn't. The Texans' defense is awful, and even Trent Edwards could have a solid game against it. Unfortunately, a Colts win makes a win here irrelevant.

Verdict: Out

St. Louis Rams

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - DECEMBER 26: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers at the Edward Jones Dome on December 26, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the 49ers 25-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Under the leadership of Sam Bradford, the Rams have went from a bad 1-15 team into a playoff contender and can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Seattle Seahawks.

This is a match where I have no problem going on the record and taking a side. I want the Rams to win. There's a good story here, with the first overall pick pulling through, and a .500 team making the playoffs is definitely far better than a 7-9 team, which I'm surprised is even that good. Besides, I think Sam Bradford can outplay Charlie Whitehurst on Sunday.

Verdict: In

Seattle Seahawks

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks directs his team against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks can clinch the NFC West with a victory over the St. Louis Rams this Sunday. The Seahawks are 6-9, are 29th in points allowed, 23rd in points scored, are on their backup quarterback, and yet somehow are almost in the playoffs.

How that's possible is partly due to the NFC West, but it's still strange how the team in and of itself still managed six wins. Yes, they have a new receiving corps and Earl Thomas, but the explanation has to be that Pete Carroll is a pretty good coach. Either way, they aren't beating the Rams.

Verdict: Out

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have revitalized themselves with a new offense, and coach Raheem Morris is a viable candidate for Coach of the Year. They have a very slim chance of winning the final playoff spot. To get it, not only would the Giants and Packers have to lose, but the Bucs would have to win against the New Orleans Saints.

Can the Buccaneers get the upset over a Saints team that just beat the Falcons? I find that hard to believe; the Saints are too good right now, although the Bucs have been a nice surprise this year.

Verdict: Out

New York Giants

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Like the Buccaneers and Packers, the Giants have a 9-6 record and can take the last spot in the playoffs with a win and Packers loss. The Giants have the easiest matchup of the three, as they face the Washington Redskins.

The problem with the Giants, however, is twofold. After a bad loss to the Packers, they may not be able to beat the Redskins. The Redskins have suddenly gotten a bit better under Rex Grossman and could actually get the upset over the Giants. If the Giants rebound from a bad two weeks and defeat the Redskins? Well, that depends on the Packers...

Green Bay Packers

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers rolls out of the pocket against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The Green Bay Packers have the tie-breaker over the other two teams, so they can clinch the final playoff spot with a win over the Chicago Bears. The problem for them is that's easier said than done. The Bears would gain a first-round bye with a win, so they have a lot to play for.

This is a very difficult matchup to predict. Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler have both been great, and both defenses have been clicking. The difference maker? The Packers are playing at home in a rivalry matchup. That will carry the Packers to a narrow victory and the final playoff spot.

Verdict: Packers in, Giants out