NFL Playoff Predictions: 5 Teams Better Than .500 That Will Miss the Playoffs

Even with a full month to go in the regular season, a few NFL teams seem to be mortal locks to earn playoff spots, such as the Packers, Patriots and 49ers.

Having said that, there are plenty of clubs out there on the proverbial bubble, especially when it comes to the wild card.

Based on recent play, difficulty (or ease) of schedule and a few intangibles, here's who I see qualifying. In the AFC, the Patriots, Ravens, Texans and Raiders win their divisions, while the Steelers and Jets earn wild cards.

Over in the NFC, the Packers, 49ers, Cowboys and Saints are already on their way to locking up division titles and will do so within time. Two spots remain for wild-card berths, which will go to the Bears and Falcons.

That leaves five teams currently with winning records who will be on the outside looking in. Here's why.

Cincinnati Bengals

Current Record: 7-4

Remaining Schedule: at PIT, HOU, at STL, ARI, BAL

Final Record: 9-7

I think we can all agree that the Steelers are headed for the fifth seed and the "top" wild card. Not only do they have a favorable schedule (Cleveland twice, home vs. St. Louis), but they are actually tied for the best record in the conference right now.

In my mind that leaves a few teams (the Jets, Bengals, Titans and Broncos) competing for that last wild-card spot.

Although they currently trail the Bengals by a game, I still see the Jets sneaking in. They have a very favorable schedule going forward: Washington, Kansas City and Miami should be easy wins, and both the Redskins and Eagles are in a tailspin right now. Winning out is not out of the realm of possibility.

As for the Bengals, not only do they have the Steelers in Pittsburgh, but they also have the Ravens and Texans. Sure, they'll beat the Cardinals and Rams, but as for taking two of three from teams tied with the AFC's best record? That's not going to happen.

New York Giants

Current Record: 6-5

Remaining Schedule: GB, DAL, WAS, at NYJ, at DAL

Final Record: 9-7

Of all the recent late-season collapses by the Giants, this one seems destined to be the most disastrous one, and if complete, it will probably cost Tom Coughlin his job.

Three weeks ago, the Giants had a serious shot at not only contending for a playoff bye in addition to NFC East, but also challenging Green Bay for the conference title.

Three straight losses, coupled with a brutal schedule, have completely destroyed that hope.

This certainly could change if they somehow end Green Bay's perfect season next week in MetLife Stadium, but that doesn't seem likely. I think they'll earn a split with the Cowboys, gain some revenge over Washington and even topple the Jets in that "road" game.

But 9-7 is not going to be enough for a wild card and certainly not the division crown considering the Cowboys' relatively easy schedule the rest of the way.

Tennessee Titans

Current Record: 6-5

Remaining Schedule: at BUF, NO, at IND, JAX, at HOU

Final Record: 8-8

Don't get me wrong—the Titans have put together a rather valiant run this season. Who would have thought they would have a winning record at this point considering they have a rookie head coach, suffered a dismal season from their star player Chris Johnson and lost their best wide receiver to a season-ending injury as early as September?

But who have they beaten in the last two months to suggest they are playoff-worthy? Carolina, Tampa Bay and winless Indianapolis. Sure, they gave the Bengals and Falcons strong finishes, but that's still not enough to think they will even be a contender against the Texans and Saints later this year.

Sure, they will beat the woeful Colts and Jags, and maybe even the desperate Bills, but the wild card is going to take double-digit wins in the AFC.

Detroit Lions

Current Record: 7-4

Remaining Schedule: at NO, MIN, at OAK, SD, at GB

Final Record: 9-7

Although their rival, the Bears, are in a tough position right now without Jay Cutler, a heartbreaking collapse seems to be around the corner for the Lions.

The upcoming trip to the Superdome will be a tremendously difficult challenge, especially without Ndamukong Suh. For that same reason, the Vikings' visit to Ford Field won't be an easy win either. Ultimately I think they'll split those two and split their consecutive intra-conference showdowns, leaving the Week 17 game against the Packers critical for their playoff hopes.

Clearly Green Bay is the better team, but if the Packers have home-field advantage locked up and rest their starters, Detroit could pull off the upset. Still, because Green Bay has a tough schedule the rest of the way, that might not be the case.

Denver Broncos

Current Record: 6-5

Remaining Schedule: at MIN, CHI, NE, at BUF, KC

Final Record: 9-7

The debate about whether or not Tim Tebow is a franchise quarterback or even a legitimate starting quarterback has little to no impact on the Broncos' playoff chances. 

All that matters is that he is winning games. But I'm just not confident in that happening enough times the remainder of the season for Denver to surpass the Raiders.

The Broncos won't be able to keep pace with the Patriots, and either the Vikings' or Bears' pass rush will be too much for Tebow to produce another miracle.

In short, Denver is going to lose at least two more games, and the Raiders will lose at most two more games (to the Packers and either Lions or Chargers). That will give them a one-game edge for the AFC West crown. And because it's going to take 10 games to earn a wild card, the Broncos spend the second weekend of January at home.