NFL Playoff Predictions: Borderline AFC Contenders That Will Go Home Unhappy

With two weeks remaining this NFL season, there are still several contenders in the AFC who have a shot at making the playoffs.

Who will separate themselves from the field, and who will flounder by the end of it all?

Here are three AFC contenders who won't make the playoffs this season.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)

The Bengals have the same record as the New York Jets, who currently hold the final wild card spot in the AFC, but they are on the outside looking in via their win-loss record in common games.

That means they need to finish better than the Jets, and I just don't see this happening.

The Bengals should beat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, but they face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17, a defense that should pose problems for their developing offense.

The Bengals won't make the playoffs this season, but they should be proud of their rise.

2. Oakland Raiders (7-7)

Poor Raiders.

They were doing so well but then Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos surprised everybody.

The Raiders could still win the division, but they need to finish with a better record than the 8-6 Broncos with just two games remaining (the Broncos own the tie-breaker).

I see them finishing 8-8, losing to the San Diego Chargers in the final game of the regular season, and missing out on the wild card, too.

1. Tennessee Titans (7-7)

The Titans have lost their last two games, and they got beat by two touchdowns against the Indianapolis Colts, handing the Colts their first win of the season.

I could see the Titans beating the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, but I expect them to lose against the Houston Texans in Week 17.

They just don't have the offense this season to score enough against the Texans' defense.