NFL Playoff Predictions: Who's Nudging in, Who's Dropping Out?

Week 13 brought a few changes in the NFL playoff picture, but let's be serious—they're going to change many times before the season ends in less than a month. 

Which teams are squeezing into the postseason and which are dropping out of the playoff race heading into Week 14?

NFC

Nudging in

Atlanta Falcons 

Matt Ryan's club is currently the No. 6 and final seed in the NFC playoffs, even after the 17-10 loss to the Texans on Sunday. 

Winning in Houston has proven to not be easy this season, but they were facing a watered-down version of the Texans and couldn't leave Texas with a win. 

They hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Detroit and finish the year with four straight NFC South games, two home and two away. 

They should sneak in. 

Chicago Bears 

What a mess in Chicago. They were playoff shoo-ins two weeks ago, then they lost Jay Cutler for the rest of the regular season, at least.

They lost to the Raiders when backup-turned-starter Caleb Hanie threw three interceptions. This week, they scored three points in a loss at the hands of the Chiefs. Oh, and Matt Forte sprained him MCL.

Yikes.

Donovan McNabb? Dare I say Brett Favre?

Dropping Out 

Detroit Lions 

The Lions weren't able to score with the Saints, but then again, who can? They started the year 5-0, are 2-5 since and aren't displaying much maturity on the field (they committed 11 penalties against New Orleans).

They lose the tiebreaker to both the Bears and Falcons. 

Not good for fans in the Motor City. 

AFC 

Nudging In 

Cincinnati Bengals 

The Bengals were outclassed by the Steelers in Week 13, but at 7-5, they're still holding onto that last spot in the AFC playoff race.

They travel to Houston next week, have two games against NFC West clubs (Cardinals, Rams), then end the season at home against the Ravens.

Can Andy Dalton come through when it matters most for Cincinnati?

Dropping Out (for Now)

Tennessee Titans 

Well, they actually aren't dropping out, because they've won two straight, but they're still on the outside looking in at this juncture.

Cincinnati has the tiebreaker over Tennessee due to a better win percentage in conference games (CIN 6-4 against AFC, TEN 5-4).

With Chris Johnson looking to be back on track, they become a much more formidable team, but they can probably only afford one more loss.

New York Jets 

The Jets took care of business against the Redskins with a 21-point fourth quarter, but at 7-5, they are the current No. 8 team in the conference.

Mark Sanchez didn't take the "next step" this season, but he's doing enough for his team to win. They'll need some help down the stretch.