NFL Playoff Predictions: What the 2011 Playoffs Will Look Like

With the playoffs approaching, many teams are in panic mode.  It seems like clockwork every year that Tony Romo and the Cowboys decline in December, and the Giants usually collapse late in the season as well.

Here are my predictions for the winner of each division, their final records, two wild-card teams for each league and how the playoffs will play out.  Enjoy!

AFC East Winner: New England Patriots, No. 2 Seed

Having beaten the New York Jets twice this season and given the collapse of the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots look like the clear-cut favorite to win the AFC East.  I'm excited to see Tom Brady in this year's playoffs against some of the top-notch teams.

Here's how I see their remaining schedule playing out:

Week 14 @ Washington - W

Week 15 @ Denver - W

Week 16 vs. Miami - W

Week 17 vs. Buffalo - W

They have a pretty easy schedule, and I see them winning out, going 13-3.

Final Record Prediction: 13-3 

AFC North Winner: Baltimore Ravens, No. 1 Seed

The Ravens are another elite team that will be tough to beat come playoff time.  I have them finishing tied with the Steelers, but those two hard-earned wins earned them the tiebreaker.  Ray Rice will continue to contribute to this team and carry them through the playoffs.

Week 14 vs. Colts - W

Week 15  @ San Diego - W

Week 16 vs. Cleveland - W

Week 17 @ Cincy - W

Not that they have the easiest schedule, they are just a great team.  I see them winning out as well.

Final Record Prediction: 13-3

AFC West Winner: Denver Broncos, No. 4 Seed

Tim Tebow is legit.  We can't keep saying that we'll get a better read on him next week.  He's 6-1 as a starter, and I'm starting to become a believer.  I have Denver finishing 10-6 atop the AFC West.

Week 14 vs. Chicago - W

Week 15 vs. New England - L

Week 16 @ Buffalo - W

Week 17 vs. Kansas City - W

They have a decent schedule, and I think injuries to Matt Forte, Fred Jackson, Jay Cutler, Matt Cassel, Jamaal Charles, etc. helped save their season.  

Final Record Prediction: 10-6

AFC South Winner: Houston Texans, No. 3 Seed

T.J. Yates.  The first quarterback out of North Carolina EVER to start for an NFL team.  Pretty amazing.  He's not the greatest QB, but I see Foster putting this team on his back and winning the AFC South.

Week 14 @ Cincy - W

Week 15 vs. Carolina - L

Week 16 @ Indianapolis - W

Week 17 vs Tennessee - L

There are a few games on here that can go either way, but I really like this Texans team.  Foster and Johnson can carry this team to the playoffs, and they have proven they don't need a quarterback.  In the playoffs, however, they might.  That Carolina game, I just think Cam Newton will put up too many points for the Texans to match, and Tennessee will be a big game for CJ2K.

Final Record Prediction: 11-5

Wild Card Team 1: Pittsburgh Steelers, No. 5 Seed

Pittsburgh really deserves to be a higher seed, but those two loses to Baltimore absolutely killed them.  It just proves it doesn't matter what your record is unless you can win divisional games.

Week 14 vs. Cleveland - W

Week 15 @ San Francisco - W

Week 16 vs. St. Louis - W

Week 17 @ Cleveland - W

Cleveland twice and St. Louis.  Basically, two automatic wins.  And that game on the West Coast will be tough against the 49ers, but I think they have the ability to win big games, and they will pull it out.

Final Record Prediction: 13-3

Wild Card Team 2: New York Jets, No. 6 Seed

I am not a big Mark Sanchez fan at all.  In fact, I think he's below average.  Yes, he made the AFC Championship game the last two seasons, but if it weren't for the supporting cast, he would have stunk up the joint like anywhere else he would have gotten drafted to.  The only big plus for this Jets team is their defense. 

Week 14 vs. Kansas City - W

Week 15 @ Philadelphia - W

Week 16 vs. NY Giants - L

Week 17 @ Miami - W

The Jets have a fair schedule down the stretch, and they should be able to beat out Cincinnati for that last wild-card spot.  Tennessee comes close to taking this spot, but I have my doubts with Matt Hasselbeck. 

Final Record Prediction: 10-6

NFC East Winner: New York Giants, No. 4 Seed

I really believe in Eli Manning and the New York Giants.  They have specific players that step up every week and that's why they are so great.  If their secondary improves, they can beat anyone in this league.

Week 14 @ Dallas Cowboys - W

Week 15 vs. Washington - W

Week 16 "@" NY Jets - W

Week 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys - W

I see them winning out the rest of the season.  Dallas twice because 1) Tony Romo is in the doldrums in December, and 2) the Giants have momentum.  Don't be surprised if the Giants are a dark-horse Superbowl contender. 

Final Record Prediction: 10-6

NFC North Winner: Green Bay Packers, No. 1 Seed

The Packers are untouchable.  I thought the Giants had the best shot at knocking off the defending champs, but now that they still remain undefeated. I see them going undefeated the rest of the way, but I have a gut feeling that the Giants or Saints have a chance to beat them in the playoffs.

Week 14 vs. Oakland - W

Week 15 @ Kansas City - W

Week 16 vs. Chicago - W

Week 17 vs. Detroit - W

They key to this postseason is that to beat the Packers, you have to do it in Lambeau Field, which I find hard to imagine any team doing.  The only team at this point that can stop the Pack is themselves.

Final Record Prediction: 16-0

NFC West Winner: San Francisco 49ers, No. 2 Seed

The San Francisco 49ers surprised everyone this year.  If Jim Harbaugh doesn't win coach of the year, I think everyone will be caught by surprise.  However, I am not a strong believer yet.  I just can't trust Alex Smith and a banged-up Patrick Willis in big games.  The 49ers will finish off the season even.

Week 14 @ Arizona - W

Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh - L

Week 16 @ Seattle - L

Week 17 @ St. Louis - W

The 'Niners are a good team, very good in fact.  They will be tough to beat on the road in the playoffs, but do I think they can contend with the Packers and the Saints?  No.

Final Record Prediction: 13-3

NFC South Winner: New Orleans Saints, No. 3 Seed

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are 6-0 this year in the Superdome, but they are just 3-3 on the road.  Drew Brees has the talent to win any type of game in any situation, and the free-agent steal of Darren Sproles could very well get them all the way to the NFC Championship game in Green Bay.

Week 14 @ Tennessee - W

Week 15 @ Minnesota - W

Week 16 vs. Atlanta - W 

Week 17 vs. Carolina - W

The Saints are so good because Drew Brees has players to rely on and he doesn't have to do it all by himself.  He has a great tight end, a dual-threat running back combination and a defense that can back him up even though he doesn't need it.

Final Record Prediction: 13-3

Wild Card Team 1: Detroit Lions, No. 5 Seed

I have a tough time getting a read on the Detroit Lions this season.  After a great start, the're inching to the finish line.  If Matthew Stafford can elevate his game, and this defense steps up, then I may be a believer in the Detroit Lions.  But if I had to pick Detroit or New York in Round 1 from the Meadowlands, that one goes to the Giants.

Week 14 vs. Minnesota - W

Week 15 @ Oakland - W

Week 16 vs. San Diego - W

Week 17 @ Green Bay - L

The Lions will just sneak there way into the playoffs, thanks to the collapse of the Chicago Bears without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte.  

Final Record Prediction: 10-6 

Wild Card Team 2: Atlanta Falcons, No. 6 Seed

Unfortunately for the Atlanta Falcons, they are in the same division as Drew Brees.  This year has been a big step down for the Falcons compared to last year when they earned the No. 1 seed.  Now they are just fighting to make the playoffs.  I think they will, but they have to go to the Superdome to face divisional rival New Orleans, who hasn't lost at home this year.

Week 14 @ Carolina - L

Week 15 vs. Jacksonville - W

Week 16 @ New Orleans - L

Week 17 vs. Tampa Bay - W

The Falcons are built around young talent.  Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Michael Turner, Julio Jones...the list goes on and on.  Their explosive offense will get them into the playoffs, but how far they go remains to be seen. 

Final Record Prediction: 9-7