NFL Week 15: Who's in the Playoffs and Who's Not

As we go into Week 15, there are a lot of potential playoff teams who go in with everything to lose. The NFC East showdown in Dallas. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveling into Atlanta. The Vikings showdown in the desert of Arizona.

All these showdowns help paint the playoff picture. So the question is. Who is going to the playoffs this year?

NFC EAST

The New York Giants have dominated the NFL all season...until their loss at Philadelphia. Ironically, that same day, the Giants wrapped up the NFC East Divisional Title. So they get the automatic nod to the playoffs with their divisional title.

They did it in easy fashion, beating up on teams all the way from their Week One Thursday night win in Washington to their win in Pittsburgh. NFC East and home-field advantage go to the New York Football Giants

NFC NORTH

The NFC North is a horse race, with the Chicago Bears battling the Minnesota Vikings. Ironically, the Minnesota Vikings currently lead the NFC North after they defeated the Bears a few weeks ago on Sunday Night Football.

But all signs look down for the Vikings. One.) The Vikings' next three games are @ Arizona, then they host the Falcons and Giants. Ouch. Two.) The Bears' next three games: they host New Orleans and the struggling Packers. Then head to Houston to take on the Texans.

The Cardinals are currently 5-1 on fire at home beating the Cowboys and Dolphins earlier this season at home. The Vikings fate is held by their rivals...and the Bears' rivals...the Packers.

IF the packers beat the Bears in Week 16, look for the Vikings to win the division. (Vikings are 4-2 in division, Bears would be 3-3) Chicago hosts the Packers in Week 16, seeing as the packers are struggling. Look for Matt Forte to get 100+ on the pack and the Bears cruise to a win.

NFC NORTH goes to THE BEARS.

NFC SOUTH

The NFC is a battlefield right now. The Buccaneers and Panthers battled this past Monday Night in a match where the Panthers powered their way to a victory. The Buccaneers showed flaws in their powerful defense.

And what better way than coming off of a bad victory, then heading to Atlanta to face the Falcons with another power running team. Little Note: ALL NFC SOUTH TEAMS HAVE A COMBINED TWO HOME LOSSES ALL SEASON. Don't look for it to be any different, as Atlanta beats Tampa Bay this week to help the Panthers clinch the division.

NFC SOUTH and home-field advantage in Slot Two, the Carolina Panthers.

NFC WEST

The Arizona Cardinals are a strong team. But exactly how strong are they? Yes they beat the Cowboys...But they also got dismantled by the Giants. The NFC West is SO bad this year.

Assuming the Cardinals beat the Seahawks in Week 17 at home...The cardinals can take the NFC West division.... JUST by taking their six division wins (6-0 in the division).

Look for the 49ers to beat the Rams and finish in second in the NFC West...with six wins. How can we judge the Cardinals based on their division. However, the advantage in the NFC WEST goes to the Arizona Cardinals.

NFC WILD-CARD SPOTS

This is a crazy race, with a few notes you should know. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a slim to none chance of losing their wild-card spots. If they lose to the Atlanta Falcons, it doesn't hurt their chances at all. Their next two opponents: They host the San Diego Chargers, and the Oakland Raiders. Look for the Buccaneers to take the wild card spot No. 1.

COWBOYS FANS: No matter what you may think of your team. You will need a Christmas miracle to get into the playoffs. You have to beat the Giants, Ravens, and Eagles to get into the playoffs. There is slim to zero chance you will get into the playoffs with only two of those wins!

If you beat the Eagles, your chances rise. But not by much. The Redskins and Falcons are right around the corner!

The Games that will decide the wild card division: Dallas @ Philadelphia. Atlanta @ Minnesota. Philadelphia @ Washington. Philadelphia has been relatively good at home this season. The cowboys relatively average on the road. Advantage Philly. Atlanta has been solid this season on offense... but not on the road especially against the Vikings who are near perfect at home. Advantage Vikings.

Philadelphia at Washington. Washington's offense has been lackluster and the eagles have been lighting it up lately. Advantage Eagles. So in the end it comes down to a tie. The Eagles TIE to the Bengals actually is an advantage as they will slide into the playoffs just beating out a 10-6 falcons.

BUT if the Falcons win out. They will be a sixth seed in the playoffs. But until then. Look for the Buccaneers and Eagles to make the NFC wild card.

AFC EAST

A triple threat match is being set right now. It is the New England Patriots vs The New York Jets vs The Miami Dolphins. Advantages in schedule: Miami Dolphins... barely. The teams they face have a combined total of 15 wins.

So the real advantage goes to the New York Jets for the simple fact, they face off against the Miami Dolphins in week 17 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Look for it to be a three-way tie going into Week 17. But the Jets shall win the division based upon their record in the division (5-1) Patriots will be (4-2). AFC EAST Advantage goes to the J-E-T-S- JETS JETS JETS.

AFC NORTH

The Steelers and Ravens two powerhouse defense control who will win the AFC North. They face off in a showdown in Week 15. The ravens have to beat the Steelers at home this week or their playoff hopes may be gone. The ravens have one loss at home this year. Look for them to slide out of Baltimore with the victory this Sunday. After that. I have the Steelers losing in Tennessee.

And the Ravens losing IN Dallas. So then after tie breaking procedures. They both tied in the division. They both tied in common games. They both were 9-3 in the AFC. Strength of victory Ravens > Steelers. by 10 points. Lame. But AFC NORTH goes to the Ravens.

AFC SOUTH

The AFC South is all Titans right now. The titans have already clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and won the AFC South. AFC South. Advantage Tennessee Titans.

AFC West

The winner of the worst playoff team of the year goes to... the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have a free ride to the playoffs this season. With the chargers still continuing their 14-game slump going into Week 15. and easy games against the Raiders and Chiefs. The Broncos slide into the playoffs with ease.

The Chargers need to win out to get into the playoffs. But that Christmas miracle won't happen. AFC West. Advantage Denver Broncos.

AFC WILD-CARD SPOTS

Advantages: The Colts have two easy wins as they play Detroit and Jacksonville. But can they clinch that 12th win against the Titans?

Advantage: The Patriots have the easiest schedule out of all wild card potential teams. And play teams with all losing records. They should pick up 3 easy wins down the stretch.

Projecting that the Titans beat the Colts in Week 17. It will be a three-way tie. with the Patriots, Colts and Steelers all winning 11 games and going 11-5. So its time for the tie breaker. Week Ten: Pittsburgh lost to the Colts. Remember that? 24-20 win by the colts. Week 13: Pittsburgh dismantles the Patriots 33-10. Okay so the Steelers are still in the race right?  T

he Colts beat the Patriots in Week Nine, 18-15. So your two wild-card teams should be the Colts with the fifth seed. and the Steelers with the sixth seed.

So the playoffs should look like this

NFC
Bears vs Eagles in Chicago
Cardinals vs Buccaneers in Phoenix
Giants have the first seed. Carolina second seed.

AFC
Jets vs Steelers in East Rutherford
Broncos vs Colts in Denver
Titans have the first seed. Baltimore second seed.