NFL: Updated Playoff Predictions at the Season's Halfway Mark

It's truly amazing how much the playoff picture can change over the course of a couple weeks. I wrote a similar article to this one, and that article had no less than three different teams from this one.

The fact is, some teams are forcing us to see them in an entirely new light. Let's look at the Kansas City Chiefs, for instance: After three games, I thought that it was possible for them to go winless. Low and behold, they won four in a row before hitting a road block this past Sunday.

The NFL is overloaded with talent this year, and I've determined that some really good teams are going to be watching the playoffs at home. 

We're nine weeks in, which means we've passed the halfway mark. The final stretch begins in Week 10.

AFC No. 1 Seed: Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

The Baltimore Ravens are inconsistent on offense and have lost games to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans. The Titans aren't a bad team (the Jags are), but the Ravens were blown out of the water, not even playing them close.

What makes me believe in the Ravens? Well, the fact is, they've beaten the Steelers twice, thus clearing out two of the toughest games on their schedule. In the remaining eight games, the Ravens will play Cleveland twice, the Colts, and the Seattle Seahawks. 

Those should be four wins. It gets tough when they have to play in San Diego, at home against a powerful San Francisco team, and the Cincinnati Bengals twice. They'll still grab two victories in those games.

The defense is solid, as usual, and that's going to be what the Ravens need to rely on. Joe Flacco showed once again that he has every capability of being a great NFL quarterback. If he becomes more consistent, this team could gather more than 12 wins and make a deep playoff run.

AFC No. 2 Seed: Houston Texans (12-4)

In terms of yards per game, the Houston defense is the best in the league. That's saying a lot after they've been historically bad since their inception in 2001.

The Houston Texans struggled in the couple weeks after stars Andre Johnson and Mario Williams were lost due to injury. Over the last three weeks, however, they've been like a new team, winning by 34, 10 and 18 points.

Arian Foster and Ben Tate form one of the scariest dual-threat running games the league can offer.  Foster carries the load, while Tate serves as more of a third down back—and he's a very effective one.

Matt Schaub hasn't had his greatest season as a Texan, but it's been respectable. What's scary for other AFC teams is that his performance has been decent without Johnson catching passes. Johnson is expected to be back soon, so the AFC should be on alert.

At 6-3, the only remaining loss I see coming for the Texans will be in Cincinnati. That will be a tough game, as both teams will most likely still be trying to establish good credibility. They'll hit the 12-win mark, and take a first-round bye.

AFC No. 3 Seed: New England Patriots (12-4)

I'm probably overestimating the talents of a Patriots team that isn't what it used to be, but I believe in being bold in my predictions. I see them losing this week to the Jets, but winning the rest of their games after that.

New England brings a powerful offense to every game, but has seemingly become a bit inconsistent over the last couple games. Not that Tom Brady isn't having a good year, because he is, but it doesn't seem to have quite the effect on this team.

The running game hasn't been all that helpful to the offense. They average around 110 yards per game, but this is a team that largely depends on the passing game.

The Patriots' defense is abysmal and that could be their downfall. They allow over 320 yards of passing per game. 

Still, this team is run by Brady and Bill Belichick, so they'll make it as usual.

AFC No. 4 Seed: San Diego Chargers (10-6)

I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but I just do not understand the San Diego Chargers. In terms of overall offense and defense, they rank in the top 10 in both categories.

Despite what would appear to be positive statistics, the Chargers are only 4-4. This is attributed to a struggling Philip Rivers and a running game that is mostly so-so.

Looking at their schedule the rest of the way, it's very possible for a team like San Diego to go 8-8 or even worse. The problem is that this team has too much talent for that. They should come through when it counts.

At 10-6, the Chargers will enter the playoffs with an AFC West title.

AFC No. 5 Seed: Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)

This could be one of the boldest picks I make on this list of predictions. Many people are still critics of the young Bengals—some of those critics are going to be answered this Sunday against the Steelers.

The offense hasn't been great in the Queen City, but Andy Dalton has been improving every single week.  The connection between Dalton and receiver A.J. Green has been incredible so far, and the duo is on track to break rookie records.

Unfortunately, the running game has only been a mediocre aspect to this offense. Cedric Benson still has some gas in him, so he needs to step up.

As for the defense, it's been speaking for itself. They allowed 56 yards of offense in the second half in Week 9 against the Titans. The secondary has been solid and the front line has formed the second-ranked rushing defense in the league.

Over the next five games, the Bengals get the Steelers twice, the Ravens once, the Browns, and the Houston Texans. I foresee two losses in their away games against Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

I may be naive, but these Bengals are for real, and they're going to shock quite a few people.

AFC No. 6 Seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

If you've been counting, you'll notice that this is the fifth AFC team that enters the playoffs at 12-4. Yeah, the AFC is that good.

The reigning AFC Champions are going to sneak into the playoffs in 2011, despite some occasional up-and-down play. Ben Roethlisberger is continuing to show how good he is as the team's leader, spreading the ball to good receivers and an above average tight end.

The running game isn't bad, but nothing to brag about. Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman should at least be able to carry the load for the rest of the season.

Once again (and like the rest of the AFC North), the Steelers' defense is loaded with superstars who can compete with any offense.

What I believe to be amazing about the Steelers is their ability to power the ball down any team's throat.  This team is so good, they may make the Super Bowl again as a six seed.

NFC No. 1 Seed: Green Bay Packers (16-0)

I may be crazy, and I'm sure a lot of you are thinking that I am. First, the Bengals are 12-4 and now the Packers go unbeaten. The fact is, even with a bad defense, I don't see anyone beating them.

Their defense is loaded with studs, but they've just not played well yet. I hold firm in believing that they'll show up to play soon.

As for the offense, they are quite obviously the best in the game. Aaron Rodgers is a pure machine.

They've got eight games left, and there are two really good possibilities for an upset. One is an away game against the Giants, and the other is against the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving.

I know they say defense wins championships, but the Packers are riding their offense there.

NFC No. 2 Seed: New York Giants (12-4)

Eli Manning is having a career year, and it comes at a time when the Giants need it the most. Since their Super Bowl victory, they've become a team that wins in the first half, and drops off in the second.

That's the track they're on this year, but I don't see the second half collapse coming. The offense has been performing too well and the defense has been showing signs of being a dominating force. They need to improve their rush defense a bit and the defense would be solid.

In an overall sense, the Giants have been a changed team in 2011. They've got a brute force about them, and it's been excellent to see.

They should finish 12-4, but we have to consider for a moment who their two losses came against: the Redskins and the Seahawks. This team has flaws, so they need not get a big head just yet.

NFC No. 3 Seed: San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

To say that Alex Smith is having a great season would be a severe overstatement. He's just been efficient as opposed to effective.

After eight games, Smith has thrown only two picks as compared to 10 touchdowns. As I said, it's not great, but it gets the job done. Most of the offense has been produced by Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter in the running game, which is averaging 138 yards per game.

As for the defense, they've really stepped up this year. In six of their eight games, the 'Niners defense has allowed less than 20 points. Winning comes pretty easy if you can keep teams down.

Despite a hot start, I expect the finish to be a little tougher, beginning this weekend against the New York Giants. They're pretty heavy on NFC West games still, which will boost their victory count, but there are still games against the Ravens and Steelers.

Even if the 49ers' finish isn't quite as impressive as their start, they will be the NFC West Champions.

NFC No. 4 Seed: New Orleans Saints (11-5)

The New Orleans Saints are conundrums in their own right. I still consider them to be a top-notch NFL team, as do most others. However, they've also had their fair share of mind-boggling moments.

A 31-21 loss to the St. Louis Rams? Ouch.

We still have to consider that they have the best offense—statistically—in the NFL. Drew Brees continues to put up monster numbers, and the Saints' have four running backs to split that responsibility.

The part of the team that will struggle is the defense. They've been so-so this year but still allow quite a few points. 

Tough games against Atlanta and the Giants still await them, but they should be able to take back the NFC South title.

NFC No. 5 Seed: Chicago Bears (11-5)

Last year, I was not a believer in the Chicago Bears. Now, I can see the talent.

Jay Cutler is a good quarterback, whether you like him or not. Matt Forte was, in my mind, a one-year wonder after his sort of sophomore slump. Since then, he's proven to be one of the league's best backs.

Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher lead the Bears' defense, which hasn't been great, but good enough. 

The Bears have collected wins against the Falcons, Bucs and Eagles, which can all be considered good wins.

One problem could still stand in front of this team, and that is the lack of a play-making receiver. Earl Bennett, Roy Williams and Devin Hester aren't bad, but none really stick out and make a huge difference.

The Bears have a tough road, but they have enough talent to get back to the postseason. Winning the remaining game against the Lions will be key.

NFC No. 6 Seed: Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

The sixth seed is a far fall from the top of the NFC in 2010, but the Falcons should be glad to be back.  They'd be kicking out the likes of the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys to be in the postseason.

Atlanta has had a lot of times where they looked real good, and other times where they didn't look so hot.  The win in Detroit seems to have jump-started this team towards having a stellar second half in 2011. 

The Falcons have caught a lot of heat for not being as good as the 2010 team, which may be true, but let's consider this: Their three losses this year have come against the Packers, the Bears, and a talented Bucs team. 

Michael Turner has been effective, as usual, and though he's dropped off, Matt Ryan is still Matty Ice.

As for the defense, they're still a bit confusing. They'll give up 30 points one game and then single-digit scoring the next. That defense will have to hold up better down the stretch.