NFL Playoff Prediction: Bold Predictions on Seedings for NFC

The playoff picture is becoming clearer with each passing week. Here are my predictions for the playoff seedings in both the AFC and NFC.

NFC

1. NFC North Champions: Green Bay Packers 12-0, Projected Record: 15-1

It certainly appears as though the Packers will run the table. With both Jay Cutler and Matt Forte likely to miss the Christmas day game against the Bears, their most potentially dangerous remaining game has been de-fanged.

Aside from that, they have Oakland this week, Kansas City and Detroit. I'm betting they lose to either Detroit or Oakland. As great as Aaron Rodgers and that offense is, he can only bail that subpar defense out so many times. Better for Green Bay's lapse to happen in December as opposed to January. 

2. NFC West Champions: San Francisco 49ers 10-2, Projected Record: 13-3

The Niners are on a mission with their stout run defense and awesome run attack. Alex Smith has found himself under Jim Harbaugh and the Niners are the best team in the NFC in my opinion.

That being said, they have two difficult games remaining on their schedule. Firstly, a Monday night matchup that sees them play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers, then a trip to face the Seahawks at Qwest Field.

They are unlikely to escape both of those games unscathed, but expect them to still have the NFC's second first-round bye. 

3. NFC South Champions: New Orleans Saints 9-3, Projected Record: 12-4

The Saints are playing very well right now. Drew Brees and the offense are clicking. The Saints defense has even improved and that is the biggest reason for their current four-game win streak.

The Saints visit the Titans this week and I expect the Titans to come out on top. From there, they should handle Minnesota, a tough one against division rival Atlanta and turn back Cam Newton and the Panthers to close the regular season out. They will host at least one playoff matchup. 

4. NFC North Champions: New York Giants 6-6, Projected Record: 9-7

The Giants are on a four-game losing streak and have nothing but high intensity games remaining on the schedule.

So, why do I have them winning the division when they trail the Cowboys by a game? Well, because they will defeat Dallas this week to pull even and then defeat the Redskins the following week.

I do think they will lose the battle of New York against the Jets in Week 16. However, with the division on the line in Week 17, the Giants will complete their season sweep of the Cowboys and claim the division. 

5. NFC Wild Card: Atlanta Falcons 7-5, Projected Record: 9-7

Thank God for Florida. The Falcons have games remaining against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Atlanta will take both games, and it's a good thing, because I believe they will lose to Newton and the Panthers in Carolina and to the Saints. 

6. NFC Wild Card: Chicago Bears 7-5, Projected Record: 8-8

The Bears will win one of their remaining four games, most likely against Minnesota. That will be enough to edge out both Detroit and Dallas, whom they'd own the tie-breakers over by virtue of one less conference loss.

If they can get both Cutler and Forte back for the playoffs, they could be a dangerous sixth seed.