NFL Predictions: Each Team's Odds of Making the Playoffs

“Playoffs?! We’re talking about playoffs?!”

That infamous rant by Jim Mora, although humorous, encompasses the sole reasoning and goal of every NFL team:

Making the playoffs.

Teams sweat, suffer and sacrifice for 16 weeks with hopes of achieving football’s biggest prize, and once a team makes it in, anything can happen.

The problem is, not every team can play in the postseason. And for most, the dream of contending for a Super Bowl title is laughable to say the least.

Here are every NFL team’s odds of making the playoffs this year.

32. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts go as far as Peyton Manning carries them. That has been a Super Bowl win, multiple conference titles and success for a storied franchise.

What happens when the Colts are led by Curtis Painter? You get a 0-5 record and go from NFL destroyer to NFL doormat in one short, sad, scary season…

Playoff Odds: 0%

31. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins had a lot to look forward to. They added something-to-prove running back Reggie Bush, had envisioned a solid quarterback battle and got their coaching situation squared away early.

Those visions have turned dreadful, unfortunately. At this point, the “Andrew Luck” sweepstakes is the only thing the Dolphins can look forward to.

Playoff Odds: 0%

30. Jacksonville Jaguars

Head coach Jack Del Rio has seen this franchise go through plenty of ups and downs. This season has consisted of plenty of the latter.

The Jaguars are a squad that doesn’t even look remotely interested in winning, or even changing their ways. Clearly something needs to be done, and whether it’s a trade, a new coach or some timely cuts is yet to be determined.

Playoff Odds: 0%

29. St Louis Rams

I almost feel bad for Sam Bradford, who just last year was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. His offensive line has been virtually non-existent and has yet to give the young QB sufficient time in the pocket.

Coming out of a bye week, the Rams are desperate for a win. It won’t come easy though, because the reigning champs and undefeated Green Bay Packers are next on the schedule.

Playoff Odds: 5%

28. Denver Broncos

What a circus it has been in the Mile High City. From the ongoing quarterback debacle to John Fox basically going back on his words, Denver is a team headed for disaster.

With Tim Tebow taking the field in the second half last Sunday, part of the controversy appears to be subsiding. Considering how great of a spark Tebow provided in that game, perhaps all those crazy billboards in Denver are finally ringing clear.

Playoff Odds: 5%

27. Arizona Cardinals

When Kevin Kolb was brought in to Arizona, their offensive struggles would supposedly be cured. Poor passing and turnovers have plagued the offense instead, and the Cardinals are contenders for “Biggest Bust of 2011”.

Going into their bye week, the Cardinals have a lot of soul searching to do. If they are to live up to their own expectations, they need to fix their offensive issues fast, because Pittsburg and Baltimore are waiting.

Playoff Odds: 10%

26. Kansas City Chiefs

If there is one team that has been hit the hardest by the injury bug, it is Todd Haley’s squad. With that being said, Matt Cassel and his men are learning to play without the likes of Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry, Tony Moeaki and other big name stars.

Resiliency is a great word to describe the Chiefs right now, who have won two straight. While I don’t see them making the playoffs this year, the times are starting to change for the better at Arrowhead.

Playoff Odds: 10%

25. Minnesota Vikings

If the outcome of a game was determined by first half performances, the Vikings would be booking their ticket to Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI. Obviously it is not, and the Vikings are 1-4 and virtually out of postseason contention.

If it wasn’t for the spirited play of Adrian Peterson, the Vikings would be irrelevant. Minnesota fans are thankful for his graciousness and humble demeanor, because he continues to run over defenses when there is realistically nothing to play for.

Playoff Odds: 10%

24. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have two pretty substantial wins on their schedule, the most notable being the “upset” win against the New York Giants. Marshawn Lynch had a career game that day, and Pete Carroll’s men can play rugged football when they are up for it.

Tavaris Jackson needs to get on board though, as the Giants win came with him on the sidelines. And Carroll should give deep consideration in keeping him there.

Playoff Odds: 15%

23. Chicago Bears

As America witnessed on Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears still have an offensive line problem. And no, do not believe what Lovie Smith, Jerry Angelo or anyone else from the team tells you, because they are lying.

After getting eaten alive by the Detroit Lions front seven, Da Bears have slid further down the NFC North rankings, basically eliminating them from a playoff spot. This comes a year removed from winning the division, further stinging the hearts of Bears fans.

Playoff Odds: 15%

22. Cleveland Browns

At 2-2, the Browns should be nothing short of elated to be at .500. Those two wins came against the Dolphins and Colts though, who are both winless.

Colt McCoy has vast potential, and it is up to Pat Shurmur and his coaching staff to harness him. While the Browns are a long shot to making the playoffs, if they continue to develop they can surely play spoilers late in the season.

Playoff Odds: 15%

21. Cincinnati Bengals

Young and eager, the Bengals are seeing their young playmakers come into their own. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton is developing a lovely partnership with fellow first-year player A.J. Green.

Marvin Lewis has plenty of promise in his squad, but they are still a long way from being a playoff team. A few years down the road though, the Bengals will surely be postseason contenders.

Playoff Odds: 20%

20. Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton was the biggest story coming out of college, the biggest story going into the draft and was the biggest story at the end of preseason. We all understand why now.

The Panthers are unlucky to have such a poor record because the have been playing stellar football. At 1-4, the postseason seems unlikely, but they will continue to run-and-gun on teams with reckless abandon.

Playoff Odds: 25%

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another young team with loads of expectations coming into the season, Raheem Morris’ squad has disappointed many who predicted them to top their division. Josh Freeman is not playing well, and he already has the same amount of interceptions he had all of last year (six).

As each game becomes bigger and more important, the public will see what the Bucs are truly made of. The playoffs are a stretch if they continue to make ignorant mistakes on both sides of the ball.

Playoff Odds: 30%

18. Tennesee Titans

A Titans team led by Matt Hasselbeck has dismissed a lot of speculation so far this season, going 3-2 and playing decent football along the way. That being said, fans should never be convinced by a squad led by Matt Hasselbeck in the first place.

Tennessee does not rush the quarterback well, and they were exploited last weekend by Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburg Steelers. They have a bye week coming up, so Tennessee must devise an effective game plan for their HUGE week seven match up against the Houston Texans.

Playoff Odds: 30%

17. Dallas Cowboys

As “America’s Team”, the Cowboys are constantly under a microscope. Jerry Jones’ men have seen the good, the bad and the ugly from their leader Tony Romo.

All can not be blamed solely on the play of Romo, because he in fact has played pretty heroic, especially with the injuries he has. As they enter a bye week, they will be thinking big because the Patriots are next on their schedule.

Playoff Odds: 35%

16. Atlanta Falcons

As the NFC’s best team a year ago, a lot has changed in the Falcons camp. The one-two punch of Julio Jones and Roddy White is fizzing because Matt Ryan is not playing his best.

The Falcons are technically sound team who just need to fix a few problems and get some players healthy. It is alarming, though, to think that they have already lost the same amount of games they did all of last season.

Playoff Odds: 40%

15. Philadelphia Eagles

The self-proclaimed “Dream Team” is experiencing nightmares. Michael Vick and the Eagles are not living up to their ironic moniker, and with the huge free agent acquisitions brought in over the summer, this season is headed straight towards disaster.

I will not totally give up on the Eagles yet, because they have too much talent in their side that could explode at any second. Plus, Andy Reid is a crafty coach who always seems to be present in crunch time.

Playoff Odds: 45%

14. Washington Redskins

With disciplined defense and a tough run game, the ‘Skins are in the drivers seat in the wild NFC East. With the unpredictable play of all the teams in that division, could Mike Shanahan’s team actually win the division?

In order for this to happen, the Redskins need a bit of luck, and, as of now, I picture them taking the division. Washington should expect Philly and the New York Giants to contend though, so one little slip up will bust this division wide open.

Playoff Odds: 45%

13. New York Giants

Three NFC East teams all in a row? Like I said, this should give indication to the state of the division, and the Giants are coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

It can't be stressed enough how up for grabs this division is, because not one team has proven they could run away with the division. Tom Coughlin’s team needs to get healthy and improve upon their mistakes if they want to take the division and play in the postseason.

Playoff Odds: 45%

12. New York Jets

Rex Ryan and the Jets sure do a lot of talking, and, for the most part, they can back it up on the field. The have found out that teams aren’t afraid of their bravado and trash talk, and most teams have found a way to rattle the Jets.

Mark Sanchez has spit in the faces of detractors since he came out of USC, taking his team to back-to-back AFC title games. Problem is, the AFC is stacked once again, especially in their division; the Jets have a lot of roadblocks to conquer if they expect to make the postseason.

Playoff Odds: 50%

11. Pittsburgh Steelers

It is weird to see someone other than the Pittsburgh Steelers topping the AFC North division, but that is the least of their concerns right now. Mike Tomlin’s team not only looks up at the Baltimore Ravens in the standings, but at the Cincinnati Bengals as well!

Ben Roethlisberger is as cool as they come, whether you like him or not (for the record, I despise him). They have done fairly well dealing with the injury to Rashard Mendenhall, and their defense is always one of the stingiest in the league.

Playoff Odds: 55%

10. San Diego Chargers

Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers are notoriously late bloomers, so they find themselves in a different position than usual, as they sit atop the AFC West. I am pretty sure they would rather be 4-1 right now than what they usually are under Norv Turner at this point.

The Chargers have not played particularly strong teams and are yet to face a true challenge. While they will always contend because they have great players and are coached well, the Oakland Raiders are riding momentum and are gaining ground fast.

Playoff Odds: 60%

9. Oakland Raiders

With the passing of controversial owner Al Davis last week, the Raiders put in a gutsy performance when the beat the Houston Texans last Sunday. Riding a wave of emotion, the Raiders are looking very strong—even without an elite quarterback.

Darren McFadden is a top three running back in this league, and he single handedly overpowers teams each week. With Terrelle Pryor set to come back from suspension, Raider Nation will be happy come playoff time, as I predict them to take the AFC West.

Playoff Odds: 70%

8. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills of 2011 are a completely different squad than that of the 2010 Bills. Their defense causes a stunning amount of turnovers, and their offense is clicking on all cylinders.

The Bills haven’t been to the playoffs since 1999, and this might be the year where they break that duck. If they are to make the postseason, it will be at least as an AFC wild card, because remember, they are in a division with the Patriots.

Playoff Odds: 70%

7. New England Patriots

What you see is what you get with the New England Patriots, and what you get is consistency, execution and ruthlessness. Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the Pats are always contenders not only in their division or the AFC as a whole, but for the Super Bowl.

The only thing that can stop the Patriots from getting to the postseason is themselves, even if they do sit behind the Bills mathematically. The Pats will win the AFC East and most likely go pretty far into the playoffs as well.

Playoff Odds: 75%

6. Houston Texans

The reason the Houston Texans are so far up on this list is because they play in the weakest division in the NFL. The AFC South is dreadful, and it would take a colossal meltdown for them to cough up their lead.

Matt Schaub has a legitimate All-Pro wideout in Andre Johnson, and can be relieved of pressure with the help of another elite player in Arian Foster. I expect for the Texans to not only win the division, but to do so with ease.

Playoff Odds: 80%

5. San Francisco 49ers

If anybody would have told me that Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers would be this sure of securing a playoff spot this early in the season, I would have politely asked you to take a drug test. Truth is, after last week’s demolition of the Buccaneers, they actually have solidified their NFC contention.

Alex Smith (yes, THAT Alex Smith) is playing surprisingly great and is leading this club like he was supposed to be doing so many years ago. With all these demons finally brushing aside, it is time for San Fran’s players to finally start living up to expectations.

Playoff Odds: 80%

4. Baltimore Ravens

An aging defense has been sprung to life thanks to the revitalization of Ed Reed and Ray Lewis. The two future Hall of Famers have led a menacing defense that has the team sitting atop the AFC North.

The Ravens and the Steelers are beginning to form a very intense rivalry in the AFC, and if Baltimore is not careful, they could easily see Pittsburgh come and take away the division crown. When it is all said and done, though, the Ravens will reign supreme and eventually will go the AFC title game.

Playoff Odds: 85%

3. New Orleans Saints

The 2009 Super Bowl champs are doing their best imitation of Jekyll and Hyde. Drew Brees and the offense are essentially flawless so far, while the defense has exhibited some immaturity and has a couple boneheaded plays they wish they could have back.

Nonetheless, Sean Payton and the Saints are atop the NFC South and will not look back. They have the experience needed to win big games in and out of the division, and I foresee them making a nice run towards postseason.

Playoff Odds: 90%

2. Detroit Lions

What a turnaround for the city of Detroit, as the Lions are 5-0 for the first time since 1956. The play of Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh and the rest of the upstart Lions has all their fans forgetting about the 0-16 season they had just a few seasons ago.

The Lions look formidable at the moment, and fresh off whooping division rivals Chicago on Monday Night Football, Detroit is concocting something special. I expect the Wild Card to come from the NFC North, so even if the Lions don’t take the division, prepare to see them in the postseason regardless.

Playoff Odds: 95%

1. Green Bay Packers

There doesn’t appear to be a team that can match the Green Bay Packers at the moment, and judging by the way they are playing, Aaron Rodgers and his team look like they are gearing up for the playoffs early. They are making statements week after week with their play, and some experts are predicting them to even have an undefeated season.

The Detroit Lions will put up a good fight in the division, but the Packers will outlast them because they are just better and more experienced. Mike McCarthy’s men have a chance to repeat as champs, something that appears more and more likely as each week goes by.

Playoff Odds: 100%