NFL Playoff Predictions: 4 Bubble Teams Sure to Watch from the Couch

With just two weeks left in the 2011 NFL regular season, we see teams like Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, New England and Pittsburgh all with clinched playoff spots.

Then there are those currently in playoff position, like the Jets, Lions and Broncos—however, none have clinched a berth just yet. That being said, here's a look at some of the bubble teams also fighting for one of those remaining postseason slots, but unfortunately it's just too late.

Seattle Seahawks

Although they sit two games back of Detroit for the NFC's No. 6 seed, the Seahawks are still alive if they win out and the Lions lose out.

This week Seattle plays host to San Francisco in a game that features two of the NFL's most underrated RBs in Marshawn Lynch and Frank Gore.

The way Seattle has been playing, this will not be a cakewalk for the 49ers.

As for Week 17, the Arizona Cardinals host the Seahawks in a game that could potentially determine who goes to the postseason if the Lions lose again.

Seattle won the first meeting 13-10 at home, so it just goes to show how important winning early on is to the season.

Winners of three straight and five of six, the Seahawks put everything together in a beat-down of the Chicago Bears last week. Right now they're playing like a playoff-caliber team, and with Lynch slamming through defenses each week, this is one team to really keep an eye on.

If Detroit loses in Week 16 at home to San Diego (which is very possible), the door opens up for The Great Northwest.

Don't count on it though, as the Lions just got a big road win over Oakland last week.

Cincinnati Bengals

Since beginning 6-2, the Cincinnati Bengals are just 2-4 and are on the outside looking in at the postseason.

Now, that nice start is mainly because the Bengals played teams like Cleveland, Jacksonville and Indianapolis.

Once the second half of the season began, they faced a stretch against Pittsburgh twice, the Houston Texans, Baltimore twice and Arizona this week.

Needless to say, it's no surprise that Cincinnati dropped back so quickly. However, thanks to the New York Jets' blunder in Week 15, the Bengals remain alive.

The Jets have games left against the Giants and Dolphins (neither of which are bogus teams) and after the Cardinals, Cincinnati plays host to Baltimore in Week 17. Based on the Ravens' road woes, it would not be surprising to see the Bengals upset Baltimore.

That said, this week's game against Arizona is arguably more important.

Keeping double-coverage on WR Larry Fitzgerald will be crucial, and running the ball to lull their solid secondary to sleep. The key matchup here is rookie WR AJ Green vs. Cards' rookie CB Patrick Peterson.

Both faced one another in the SEC while in college, so it will be interesting to see them duke it out once again in pro football.

Arizona has been on a roll, though, and the Ravens are still fighting for the division title.

The Bengals are just too young, but the future is bright.

Oakland Raiders

At 7-4 through 11 games played, the Oakland Raiders were sitting pretty atop the AFC West and facing a winnable game at Miami in early December.

Unfortunately, this all came to a screeching halt rather quickly, and now the Raiders sit at 7-7 but are still alive for the playoffs.

Currently saving their season is their tiebreaker over the New York Jets. However, there is much work to be done.

This week, Oakland plays at Kansas City, where Green Bay just lost. The Chiefs' solid ground game will be a challenge for the Raiders' rushing attack, so in some sense, it's like two bulls just head-butting each other until one keels over.

Hence, it will be a rough game in the trenches.

In Week 17, it doesn't get any easier. There, the Raiders host the we-just-caught-fire-NBA Jam-style San Diego Chargers who blasted the Ravens on Sunday 34-14. Right now, no one would want to face the Bolts.

On top of all this, the Raiders need to oust both the Bengals and Titans for the No. 6 seed while hoping the Jets fall at least one more time. Thus, the playoffs are a long-shot.

New York Giants

Someone has to win the NFC East.

The question is whether it will be the New York Giants or the Dallas Cowboys.

At this point in the season, with both teams having been so inconsistent and losing games they should not have lost, it's like no one wants to win it.

That may also be a reason why the Philadelphia Eagles aren't technically eliminated just yet.

As for the Giants, Dallas currently holds the division lead, but all New York needs to do is win out. Easier said than done, however, as Big Blue has already defeated the Cowboys once and gets them at home in Week 17.

Therefore, the Giants big game is this week against the Jets. The battle of New York City is bigger than normal, as both team are vying for a playoff spot. Here, the Giants' ground game must get working.

The Jets' pass defense is too good to throw the ball on all day, and they will limit Eli Manning's production.

However, if a balanced attack is kept true, you can't make Gang Green susceptible. The Big Blue Wrecking Crew has been inconsistent all season but does control their own destiny.

All this said, don't count on the Giants, as they're just 1-5 in the last six games, including another loss to Washington at home last week.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27