NFL Playoff Scenarios: 5 Shocking Events That Could Still Unfold

With three weeks of play left and eight total playoff spots up for grabs, there's a lot that can happen before the postseason begins.

In the AFC, there's technically five teams alive for the final playoff spot, and with both current Wild Cards in the NFC (Atlanta, Detroit) sitting at 8-5, four others are also alive.

All that said, here are some teams either currently in or on the cusp of the playoffs that can really shake things up in the coming weeks.

Houston Texans Alive for AFC's No.1 Seed

Along with the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, the Houston Texans are also pitting a 10-3 record heading into Week 15.

Not bad for a team that's been mauled by injuries seemingly on a weekly basis.

Nevertheless, everyone has stepped up and answered the call. The defense ranks in the top 5 and the offense is No. 2 in rushing. Quarterback T.J. Yates is managing games to a T, so there's no reason why Houston can get the AFC's No. 1 seed.

For one, they already clinched the AFC South and have three winnable games remaining. Finishing 13-3 is quite possible, and as long as the Ravens can slip up one more time, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs will be theirs.

As for Baltimore, don't be surprised if they drop one more either, because they already have losses to Seattle (6-7), Jacksonville (4-9) and Tennessee (7-6).

Seattle Seahawks Not Far off of the NFC's No. 6 Seed

After their Monday night win over the Rams, the Seattle Seahawks improved to 6-7 on the year and are currently No. 9 in the NFC. With the Lions and Falcons at only 8-5 and in the playoffs right now, The Great Northwest can still make the playoffs.

Each of their remaining games are possible wins (at Chicago, San Francisco, at Arizona), so don't discount the Seahawks just yet. RB Marshawn Lynch is bowling over anyone who gets in his path and QB Tarvaris Jackson is playing rather mistake-free.

The defense has stepped up quite a bit, as well. They rank inside the top 15 against the rush and pass and allow a total of just 335 yards per game. Not bad for a team who began 2-6.

Since then, Seattle has gone 4-1 and are at the very least building momentum for 2012.

Denver Broncos and the AFC's No. 3 Seed

This week, the Denver Broncos will play host to the 10-3 New England Patriots, the current incumbent of the AFC's No. 3 seed.

Being atop of the AFC West at 8-5, the Broncos are of course the No. 4 seed. That said, Denver has (for the most part) always had Tom Brady's number, and with the Mile High City playing as a complete team, the odds are in the Broncos' favor.

The Patriots haven't faced a defense like The Orange Crush in quite some time, and Denver hasn't faced an offense like New England in a while, either. Obviously something has to give.

To that end, if the Broncos win, they will move within one game of the Pats, who have games left against Miami and Buffalo.

As of late, neither the Dolphins or Bills should be able to match the Patriots. However, the Bills did best them earlier this season, so therefore anything can happen.

As for the Broncos, getting the No. 3 seed would be big. They would avoid having to face either the Ravens or Steelers in the wild-card round.

Arizona Cardinals Strive for NFC's No. 6 Seed

Right behind their NFC West Division rivals Seattle are the Arizona Cardinals at 6-7. The Seahawks of course have the head-to-head tiebreaker with their Week 3 win over Arizona, but their Week 17 game may have playoff implications.

Obviously, both the Cardinals and Seahawks can't make the postseason, but as we head into Week 15, both are still very much alive in the hopes of a playoff berth. We know that both need a lot of help, as well.

Then again, we've seen crazy things happen before, so don't discount anything as of yet.

Prior to Seattle visiting, Arizona will play host to Cleveland and then travel to Cincinnati. Both are possible wins, especially the way the Cards have played the past six weeks (5-1 record).

The defense has made significant improvements and the offense may have found a respectable QB in John Skelton. Include rookie CB Patrick Peterson beginning to lock down WRs and be a sick return specialist, and Arizona can make some noise.

Although it would be shocking, it's the NFC West, so to some extent, it wouldn't really.

Pittsburgh Steelers Win the AFC North

It's not so much that the Steelers winning the AFC North would be shocking as it would be the Baltimore Ravens falling once more and Pittsburgh sliding past them with a better overall record.

As we know, the Ravens swept the season series over Pittsburgh. However, both are tied at 10-3 overall and Baltimore is prone to losing focus and dropping games they should not lose.

Pittsburgh, however, has won every game they were supposed to win.

Aside from losing twice to Baltimore, their only other loss was to the Houston Texans back in Week 4. They have wins over New England, Cincinnati (twice) and Tennessee, so the Steelers didn't let any inferior opponents beat them.

And having games left against San Francisco, St. Louis and Cleveland, the Steelers will most likely finish 13-3. This is obviously enough to lock up the No. 5 seed, but the Ravens do have to play at San Diego (who's rolling), Cleveland (win) and at Cincinnati (not easy).

Being that the Ravens have lost three games they should not have lost, it could happen one more time. That said, Pittsburgh would get at least the No. 2 seed and Baltimore would drop to the No. 5 seed.

How insane would that be? Immensely insane.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27