NFL Power Rankings Week 13: Projecting the Entire NFL Playoff Picture

There is still five weeks left in the NFL season, but this is the way we see the playoff picture shaping up over the final month or so of 2011:

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers: A two-game lead over the 49ers should be more than enough for the defending champs to coast to the NFC's No. 1 seed.

2. San Francisco 49ers: A remaining schedule that includes the Cardinals, Seahawks and Rams (twice) should mean the Niners get a first-round bye and home playoff game.

3. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons have to love the way their final five games set up. They'll face a third-string quarterback next week in Houston, then have games against the Panthers and Jaguars before a division-deciding contest with the Saints. Atlanta should go at least 4-1 to finish out 2011.

4. Dallas Cowboys: At 7-4, the Cowboys are in control of their destiny in the NFC East. Two games against the Giants will ultimately decide who goes to the playoffs and who stays home. I think the two teams will likely split the games, which should keep the Cowboys on top of the division. 

5. New Orleans Saints: They'll lose out on the division crown for the second straight year and find themselves as the NFC's top wild card. The schedule just works out better for the Falcons, and I think Atlanta leaves a winner in their Week 16 visit to New Orleans.

6. Chicago Bears: The final playoff spot will come down to the Bears, Lions and Giants, and all have serious flaws that could keep them out of the big dance. Despite losing Jay Cutler, the Bears defense will be enough for them to win all three of their soft final three games. 

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens: After beating the 49ers on Thanksgiving, the Ravens now have a decent chance at 13-3. If they get there, the No. 1 seed should follow. 

2. New England Patriots: A defensive revival—admittedly against a slew of poor quarterbacks—has fueled the Patriots back atop the AFC. A Downy-soft schedule down the stretch should ensure at least 11 wins, with 13 still very much in play. 

3. Oakland Raiders: The Carson Palmer trade is paying off and the Raiders' 7-4 record gives them the upper hand in what is turning out to be a tight AFC West race. Oakland has three very winnable games left on their schedule and should be at least 10-6 when things are all said and done. 

4. Houston Texans: No matter how well the Texans run the ball and play defense, their quarterback situation is a frightening one. Can T.J. Yates, a 2011 fifth-round pick, really be expected to lead the Texans to wins over Atlanta, Tennessee or Cincinnati? All three of those games could be losses. Houston, however, should still make the playoffs. 

5. Pittsburgh Steelers: You have to love the way the Steelers defense has shut up some of the early-year critics who said this bunch was old and slow; they're still delivering knockout blows. Pittsburgh's remaining schedule isn't too daunting, either, so the Steelers could head into the playoffs with 11 or 12 wins.

6. Denver Broncos: The Broncos? In the playoffs? It might just happen. At 6-5, they are still a game back in both the AFC West and wild card. However, most of the tie-breakers favor the Broncos over the Bengals, who currently sit ahead of Denver in the No. 6 slot. With Cincy's tough schedule down the stretch, Tim Tebow and the Broncos might yet crash the 2011 playoffs.

Week 13 Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (11-0)	17. New York Jets (6-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (8-3)	18. Buffalo Bills (5-6)
3. San Francisco 49ers (9-2)	19. Philadelphia Eagles (4-7)
4. New Orleans Saints (7-3)*	20. San Diego Chargers (4-7)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)	21. Seattle Seahawks (4-7)
6. New England Patriots (8-3)	22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
7. Dallas Cowboys (7-4)	23. Kansas City Chiefs (4-7)
8. Houston Texans (8-3)	24. Cleveland Browns (4-7)
9. Atlanta Falcons (7-4)	25. Washington Redskins (4-7)
10. Oakland Raiders (7-4)	26. Arizona Cardinals (4-7)
11. Detroit Lions (7-4)	27. Miami Dolphins (3-8)
12. Chicago Bears (7-4)	28. Carolina Panthers (3-8)
13. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)	29. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)
14. New York Giants (6-4)*	30. Minnesota Vikings (2-9)
15. Denver Broncos (6-5)	31. St. Louis Rams (2-9)
16. Tennessee Titans (6-5)	32. Indianapolis Colts (0-11)

*Monday night game