NFL Playoff Picture: Predicting Which Bubble Teams Will Punch Their Tickets

With just two weeks remaining in the 2011 NFL regular season, the following playoff bubble teams should punch their tickets to the postseason:

Atlanta Falcons (9-5, No. 5 NFC)

At this point, the Falcons are just about a lock to make the postseason. They have nine wins, hold tiebreakers over the Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles and also have a Week 17 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that should guarantee 10 victories.

Getting to 10 wins would make the Falcons a lock. They can all but stamp their ticket to the NFC playoffs right now.

Detroit Lions (9-5, No. 6 NFC)

The Lions aren't as guaranteed as the Falcons right now, but it's pretty close. While they can sneak into the playoffs under several scenarios with nine wins, another win clinches a spot. It won't be an easy road to the playoffs, with games against the San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers during the final two weeks, but the Lions can feel somewhat confident that they'll be returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Dallas Cowboys (8-6, No. 4 in NFC)

No matter what happens this weekend, the Cowboys will have the chance to win the NFC East by beating the New York Giants in Week 17. If the Giants fall against the Jets this weekend and the Cowboys beat the Eagles, Dallas clinches. I'll take the odds that Tony Romo and the 'Boys make the postseason. 

New York Jets (8-6, No. 6 AFC) 

The playoff picture is a little more messy in the AFC. The Jets and Cincinnati Bengals currently sit at 8-6, with New York holding a tiebreaker based on win percentage against common opponents. Both have a tough stretch to end the season.

The Jets take on a desperate Giants team this Sunday before traveling to Miami to play the much-improved Dolphins. Neither will be easy wins. The Bengals take on the surging Arizona Cardinals before welcoming the Baltimore Ravens to Cincy to end the season. Given the tiebreaker situation right now, the edge goes to the Jets.