Updated NFL Playoff Predictions

Week 6 of the 2011 NFL season is nearing its conclusion, and while some questions have been answered (yes, the Green Bay Packers are that good, and yes, the St. Louis Rams are that bad) just as many new ones have been raised.

With that in mind it's time to take another stab at which teams will continue to play when the NFL's second season begins in January, so here's my latest set of the projected playoff teams for this season.

1. AFC Division Winners

The New England Patriots victory over the Dallas Cowboys coupled with the Buffalo Bills loss to the New York Giants finally gives Tom Brady and the boys a bit of breathing room in the AFC East, and the Patriots lead the list of projected AFC division champions.

AFC East: New England Patriots (13-3)

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

AFC South: Tennessee Titans (10-6)

AFC West: San Diego Chargers (11-5)

2. AFC Wild Cards

The AFC Wild Card race is a jumbled mess right now, with no less than half a dozen teams in contention for two spots, but now that the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers have seemingly righted the ship they seem the safest bet to be among those that advance.

AFC Wild Card: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)

AFC Wild Card: Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

3. NFC Division Winners

The Green Bay Packers are the NFL's lone undefeated team after downing the lowly St. Louis Rams on Sunday, but even the mighty Packers haven't established a stranglehold on their division in the manner of which the San Francisco 49ers have their collective hands around the NFC West's neck after their big win at Detroit.

NFC East: New York Giants (11-5)

NFC North: Green Bay Packers (14-2)

NFC South: New Orleans Saints (11-5)

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

4. NFC Wild Cards

The Detroit Lions lost their first game of the season in falling to the San Francisco 49ers in week 6, and while they may be hard pressed to keep pace with the Green Bay Packers they still seem to be well on their way to their first playoff appearance in a good long while.

NFC Wild Card: Detroit Lions (11-5)

NFC Wild Card: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)

5. Conference and Super Bowl Champions

Cinderella isn't getting an invitation to the ball this year, as the two most prolific offenses in the National Football League will meet on February 5, 2012 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to decide the winner of Super Bowl XLVI.

AFC Champion: New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens

NFC Champion: Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints

Super Bowl Champions: Green Bay Packers over New England Patriots