NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting the Effect of Home-Field Advantage

Every NFL team has two goals for its regular season: win the division and gain home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

As we enter the stretch run of the 2011 season, let's project which teams will gain home-field advantage and the effect it will have on this year's postseason.

In the AFC, it looks like the Patriots are on the fast-track to get home-field for the entire postseason leading up to the Super Bowl.

They're 8-3, playing better now than they have the entire year, especially on defense, and the only team they have left on their schedule with a winning record is the Denver Broncos.

If they do lock up home-field, is it the best thing for New England?

They've been nearly flawless at home in the regular season, but lost their last two home postseason contests in embarrassing fashion.

This time around, if New England hosts a playoff game, it'll be ready to play and should take care of its divisional opponent.

However, if that opponent is the Steelers, the Patriots have reason to be worried.

Pittsburgh still has a chance to get that No. 1 spot, and really, with all their playoff experience, it doesn't matter where the Steelers play in January. They're battle tested. 

That being said, they've proven over the years that winning in Heinz Field in the postseason isn't an easy thing to do. 

Sorry, Texans fans, with T.J. Yates you might host a playoff game, but your team isn't getting home field over New England or Baltimore. 

The Ravens have another legitimate shot at home-field sitting currently at 8-3. Frankly, we don't know how they'll fare at home because they've played all their postseason games on the road in the Joe Flacco era.

To me, they're a club that definitely feeds off their home crowd and would be extremely difficult to knock off inside their own nest in January.

In the NFC, it's all but locked up.

The Packers should clinch home field throughout soon, and with four of the 49ers last five games against NFC West opponents, they're looking at the No. 2 seed.

Winning in Lambeau is never easy, but you have to wonder what would happen if they host a game in a Wisconsin blizzard. 

I know Aaron Rodgers' arm would allow him to cut through the snow better than anyone else, but are they ready to really run the ball more than 20 times if they have to?

For San Fran, playing at home is huge. They create tons of turnovers at home and I certainly do not trust Alex Smith on the road in the playoffs, although they do have some impressive road victories this season.

If we get the dream NFC matchup of the 49ers and Packers, that pits great offense vs. great defense, and if it's 10 degrees in Green Bay, I think San Francisco has a legitimate chance with its power running game and underrated secondary.