NFL Playoff Predictions: Teams on the Edge That Will Slip into the Postseason

We're approaching that magical time, NFL fans, when the regular season ends and the postseason begins.

With Week 12 just about in the books, we are five weeks away from discovering who makes the playoffs and who is sent home packing.

But fortunately for all of you, you don't have to wait that long...I already know who's going to make the playoffs!

So sit back, relax and let me break down three contenders on the edge who will slip into the postseason.

3. Oakland Raiders (7-4)

If you would have told me in the preseason that the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers would go 4-7 and the Raiders would go 7-4, and I believed you, I would have said the Raiders would easily make the playoffs.

But the Denver Broncos have surprised to an extent, going 6-5 and winning five of their last six games with Tim Tebow under center.

Nonetheless, I still expect the Raiders to beat the Broncos out in the AFC West, helped by the acquisition of Carson Palmer, a strong running back and contributions across the board in the receiving corps.

Hue Jackson is proving himself as a legitimate head coach in the National Football League.

2. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

The Raiders and the Bengals...two teams I didn't have even sniffing the playoffs this season.

Well, that's why you play the game, right?

The Bengals, despite having a rookie quarterback and a rookie receiver, have surprised pretty much everybody this season. Andy Dalton and A.J. Green have both progressed at an alarming rate, and the defense is giving up under 20 points per game while playing some top teams down to the wire.

To put it bluntly, I expect the Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers to capture the two wild-card spots in the AFC.

1. Atlanta Falcons (7-4)

It seemed just a couple weeks ago that it was the AFC that was up for grabs, not the NFC.

Well, things change after injuries and frankly poor play.

The Falcons won't win the NFC South (the New Orleans Saints will), but I figure they will at least win three games out of their remaining five contests and 10 wins should get them a wild-card spot.

The Falcons' remaining opponents include the T.J. Yates-led Houston Texans, the 3-8 Carolina Panthers, the 3-8 Jacksonville Jaguars, the Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.