NFL Playoffs 2011: Chances for the Detroit Lions and Other NFL Bubble Teams

It's always fun to root for the underdog. But sometimes fans get carried away in NFL fantasies that are more far-fetched than a Brett Favre return. So, it's my job to bring these fantasies out of the clouds and back to the ground.

At this point of the season some teams have a playoff bid locked up like Lindsey Lohan, while for others the playoffs could be farther than the moon. Yet again, there are some teams like the Detroit Lions that are on the bubble of reaching the playoffs and it could go either way. 

Here are those teams: 

Detroit Lions

Record: 7-4 

Remaining Schedule: @New Orleans, Minnesota, @Oakland, San Diego, @Green Bay 

Projected Record: 10-6 

Playoffs: Yes 

The Lions are in a slump. But hopefully for Detroit fans, Megatron and company will stomp their way out of the slump. They have a medium remaining schedule with some toughies but some others that I expect them to win.

Right now, I have them beating hapless Minnesota as well as Oakland and San Diego. There is no way that the Lions can win in the Dome or in Lambeau, so those two are losses. That being said, the game at Raider Nation will be a deciding factor in the Lions' season. If they can win that game, then look for Detroit to be playing in January, but if they lose, it'll be another nuclear winter in the Motor City. 

Atlanta Falcons

Record: 7-4

Remaining Schedule: @Houston, @Carolina, Jacksonville, @New Orleans, Tampa Bay

Projected Record: 10-6 

Playoffs: Yes 

I don't see Drew Brees and company losing the NFC South, so the Falcons will have to settle for a wild card. But don't fret just yet, Atlanta faithful, because Matty Ice will lead them to the playoffs. The Falcons could very easily be 11-5 heading into January, but I feel they will drop either the game at Carolina versus an upstart Panthers team or the one against Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers. 

If you want to get really crazy, then perhaps Atlanta will win out and beat the Saints. If it weren't for an overtime collapse the last time these two teams played, then the Falcons would be 8-3 and in the driver's seat for the NFC South. For now, though, Atlanta is all buckled up in their car seat, but they will clinch a wild-card spot! 

Chicago Bears

Record: 7-4

Remaining Schedule: Kansas City, @Denver, Seattle, @Green Bay, @Minnesota

Projected Record: 9-7 

Playoffs: No 

Caleb Haine—the great unknown. If he plays great, then the Bears could be looking forward to January football. But judging from what I saw last weekend, I would have to say that the Bears miss out on the playoffs. Green Bay will torch Chicago as the Pack welcomes Matt Forte and company to Aaron Rodgers' Neighborhood.

The Kansas City game could go either way. If Tyler Palko steps up and the Chiefs come together like they did against the Steelers, then it could be a long game for Lovie Smith. I have them losing that one in a nail-biter. Then it's Tebow time for the Bears, and the Broncos have so much momentum going for them right now that it will take more than a career backup to stop the Tebow train. 

The Bears then face Minnesota in the last week of the season, but sadly for the Windy City, the beloved Bears will miss out on a wild-card spot by just one game. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Record: 7-4

Remaining Schedule: @Pittsburgh, Houston, @Saint Louis, Arizona, Baltimore

Projected Record: 11-5 

Playoffs: Yes 

This prediction could change after this week's play. If Cincinnati can beat a sluggish Pittsburgh team, then expect them to beat the Texans, Rams and Cardinals before falling to Baltimore en route to the playoffs.

The X-factor here is draped in purple and black. The Ravens play Indianapolis, San Diego and Cleveland twice before meeting the Bengals. At that point they could have a 12-3 record and the AFC North wrapped up. Then they may want to rest their starters for the playoffs. Yet again, this is Baltimore, and we know that the Ravens are as unpredictable as LeBron's career path.

Anyway, AJ Green is expected to be back this week and as long as Andy Dalton and a solid defense keep performing at high levels, expect Cincy to be back in the playoffs! 

New York Jets

Record: 6-5

Remaining Schedule: @Washington, Kansas City, @Philadelphia, @New York, @Miami

Projected Record: 10-6

Playoffs: No 

Rex Ryan may have promised a Super Bowl to New York, but the Jets won't even make the playoffs! Though their record is easier than the AFC West, the Jets may have killed their chances with five losses coming into Week 13.

If they can't get through a slate of teams with a combined 15-30 record (not counting the Giants), then the Jets may be worse than I thought. But I believe their defense will lead Gang Green to a 9-5 record before their big Christmas Eve "road game" against the New York Giants.

And that's where Mark Sanchez stumbles. The Big Blue will force Sanchez into complex situations and errors. Eli Manning and company will take the Battle of New York. 

Then it's on to Miami, who has surprised many recently with their strong play. Both teams will be playing for nothing, though, as New York will have not done enough to be worthy of a playoff bid. 

The Denver Broncos

Record: 6-5

Remaining Schedule: @Minnesota, Chicago, New England, @Buffalo, Kansas City

Projected Record: 9-7

Playoffs: No 

How much longer can Tim Tebow keep this up? Most likely, not for very long. Though T-Squared is 4-1 as a starter, I feel he will fizzle. Now, don't get me wrong—I believe in the power of the Tebow. I want him to succeed. I want a quarterback with a completion rate of less then 50 percent in the playoffs. I want him to turn the NFL upside down. But he won't. Tebow is a man. Not a god. 

The Broncos will ride their momentum straight into Gillette Stadium, where Brady's Bunch will rain on Tebow's parade. Then they have a tough game at Buffalo, which I have them losing. Truthfully, the game could go either way. Fred Jackson is out and Tebow might be able to win that game. If he does, he faces Kansas City, and the Broncos should win that game for a 10-6 record. Even that won't be enough to watch Tebow in January.

The Broncos need to win out in order for the playoffs to be a reality. But what if the Denver defense has a bad game? Tebow won't be able to save the Broncos then. When it all comes down to it, Tebow needs to be perfect in these remaining games for Denver to see the postseason. To Tebow or not to Tebow? That is the essential question.