NFL Playoff Predictions: 4 Teams That Don't Control Their Own Destiny

With the NFL season winding down, the playoff picture is slowly becoming more clear with each passing week.

As it stands now, four teams have already secured their playoff spots. Those four teams are the Houston Texans, the Green Bay Packers, the San Francisco 49ers and the New Orleans Saints.

Meanwhile, there are still a number of teams whose playoff chances are very much in the air—some hold control of their own destiny, while others do not have the same luxury.

Here are four teams that, regardless of if they take care of business, will have to wait and see. 

Cincinnati Bengals

Coming off a tough Week 13 loss to the Steelers, the Bengals were in desperation for a win against the Texans this week, and for three quarters it seemed as if they would get it.

However, when the Texans scored 10 fourth-quarter points, including a touchdown with two seconds left on the clock, the Bengals were left with no opportunity to match. Houston defeated the Bengals 20-19 and delivered a heartbreaking blow for Cincinnati and its playoff dreams.

All is not lost for Cincinnati, as its playoff chances are not entirely dead, but it definitely does not control its own destiny.

Losing four of their last five, the Bengals are sitting at 7-6 and at the bottom of the totem pole for a wild-card spot. Right now Cincinnati is one game back from the Jets for the sixth spot and will need the stars to align for it to steal that spot back.

Tennessee Titans

Losing to the Saints on Sunday, the Tennessee Titans dropped to 7-6 and are now engulfed in a battle at the bottom of the AFC for the sixth wild-card playoff spot. 

With games left against the Colts, Jaguars and Texans, the Titans may be in a better position than the rest of the teams at the bottom.  The Colts and Jaguars are quite beatable, leaving the Titans with a final matchup against the Texans. 

If the Titans can win out and see the Jets and Bengals each drop one more game, they will likely find themselves in the playoffs.

Oakland Raiders

Going into this week, the Raiders and Broncos were tied in the AFC West at 7-5.  

However, with the Raiders losing to the Packers on Sunday and the Broncos pulling off a stunning victory—yet again—over the Bears, the Raiders' playoff picture got a little bit more shaky.

The Raiders will likely need to win out and for the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs in order to keep playoff hopes alive.

Chicago Bears

Choking away the game against the Broncos Sunday, the Chicago Bears' playoff chances are starting to look rather grim.

Without Cutler, the Bears have lost three straight and are tied for seventh place in the NFC. With games left against Seattle, Green Bay and Minnesota, the Bears could potentially win two out of three, but they would still need help in order gain the wild-card spot.