NFL Playoff Predictions: Denver Broncos and More First-Round Burnouts

Although the NFL playoff picture remains far from clear, we can reasonably begin to form an educated guess in regards to who's in and who's out.

As it stands today, it's New England, Baltimore, Houston, Denver, Pittsburgh and the Jets in the AFC, and Green Bay, San Francisco, New Orleans, Dallas, Atlanta and Detroit in the NFC.  

I feel fairly confident that these will be the 12 teams in the playoffs this season, with the possible exception of the Bengals getting in over the Jets.

And as is the case ever year, one can usually pinpoint a few teams that are likely to get knocked out in the first round.

I am here to tell you who those teams are...

5. Atlanta Falcons

Sorry Falcons fans, but you simply can't trust this team playing anywhere but the Georgia Dome, and they will be on the road for the first round—most likely at Dallas.

Atlanta has only defeated one team this year with a winning record, a 23-16 win over the Lions in Detroit.

We'll know a lot more about this team after their Monday night matchup in New Orleans, but I wouldn't bet on Matt Ryan beating Drew Brees in the Superdome.  

4. New York Jets

If the Jets even make the playoffs, and that's a big if, they will most likely be headed to Houston to take on the Texans.

The Jets have gone 4-3 since their bye week with two wins over the Bills to go along with wins over Washington and Kansas City.

With an offense ranked 26th in the NFL going on the road against a Houston defense ranked second, I wouldn't count on more than one playoff game for Mark Sanchez and Company this year.

3. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are only in the playoffs as a result of the injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte.  The Bears would likely be 11-3 right now and the Lions would lose out on a tiebreaker with Atlanta for the final spot.  

But as we are all more than aware, staying healthy is the key to success in the NFL and the Lions will gladly accept their first playoff berth since 1999 when they went 8-8 while losing their last four games of the regular season.

This year, the Lions are likely headed to New Orleans for their playoff opener and although they will put up some points, it simply won't be enough to keep pace with Drew Brees and the gang.

2. San Francisco 49ers

I know, I know, the 49ers technically can't lose in the first round if they get a bye, but they will indeed lose their first playoff home game since Jeff Garcia orchestrated a 24-point comeback to defeat the New York Giants 39-38 nine years ago.

Most likely it will be Alex Smith vs. Drew Brees for the right to play the Packers in the NFC Championship Game.  Who would you take?

1. Denver Broncos

Who else could it be besides Tim Tebow and the Broncos at No. 1?  Even though the Broncos will host a first-round playoff game (assuming they win the AFC Worst), they will likely face the Pittsburgh Steelers.

I'm sorry Broncos fans, but you have to be able to throw the ball down the field to win in the playoffs and the league's 31st-ranked passing offense simply won't be able to keep up with Big Ben and all the weapons at his disposal.

The Tim Tebows will be heading home early and ESPN will be scrambling for something else to talk about over the next month.