NFL Playoff Scenarios: Ranking the Chances Each Bubble Team Gets In

With just three weeks left in the NFL season, let's break down some of the bubble teams to determine their chances at cracking the 2011 NFL playoffs.

LIKELY

Atlanta Falcons: At 8-5, the Falcons have a solid grasp on the No. 5 seed in the NFC. With games against the Jaguars and Buccaneers left, Atlanta should get to 10 wins. That will all but guarantee a spot with their head-to-head tiebreaker over the Lions. 

New York Jets: As long as the Jets win one of their next two games and take care of business in Miami to finish the season, they should be playoff bound. The tiebreakers will be in their favor at 10 wins if the Jets beat the Dolphins in Week 17.

STILL LOOKING GOOD

Detroit Lions: The Lions have two things going for them right now: They hold the No. 6 seed, and the Bears are sinking fast. That gives them the chance to finish the season with just one more win and still make the playoffs. 9-7 could be all it takes with the Bears' disastrous offense. 

New York Giants: As Tom Coughlin said postgame, the Giants knocked the star off the top of the mountain and replaced it with a big "NYG." The NFC East will almost certainly come down to the final week when Dallas visits MetLife Stadium. I give the Giants the edge based on the finale being played at home.

WITH A CHANCE

Dallas Cowboys: After losing to the Giants last week, the Cowboys just need to make sure they have a chance to win the division when the two teams meet again in Week 17. Based on the finishes to the Cowboys' last two games, that could be a challenge.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals might look back at that last drive against Houston as the moment when their season crumbled. A win in that game changes everything. Now, they'll likely have to beat the Ravens in Week 17 to have a chance at sneaking back in. 

Tennessee Titans: The Titans still have a puncher's chance because they play the Colts and Jaguars in back-to-back weeks before finishing with the Texans in Week 17. A three-game winning streak to end the season would make things very interesting in the AFC.

ON THE BRINK

Oakland Raiders: Just a game back of the Broncos, Oakland might have an argument to be one level up on this list. But how can a team that just gives up like the Raiders did in Green Bay possibly have a chance at pulling this thing together?

Chicago Bears: They can't score, they make mistakes at the end of games and the last three games aren't cakewalks. Chicago probably needs at least two wins to get back into the playoff hunt. Can they pull it off without Jay Culter and Matt Forte?