NFL Playoff Projections: Breaking Down Full Postseason Picture

With Week 16 winding down, we are getting closer to the NFL playoffs, the time when superstars shine and pretenders go home early.

It's time to start looking ahead to who is likely to make the playoffs and what they will do once they reach the wildcard round.

By my estimation, the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens will capture the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, respectively, in the AFC, while the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers will get a first-round bye in the NFC.

Here is my projected wildcard round and predictions for every matchup (how I see these teams earning their seeds is detailed here).

AFC Wild Card Round: No. 3 Texans Beat No. 6 Raiders

The Houston Texans will head into this wildcard matchup minus their starting quarterback, Matt Schaub.

But I don't think it will matter having rookie quarterback T.J. Yates under center: the Texans will still win.

I'm looking at the Texans' Week 16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts as an anomaly. Before that, they had won seven of their last eight games, using their defense to limit opponents.

The Oakland Raiders aren't a high-scoring team. They were averaging 22.6 points before scoring 16 points against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.

I expect the Texans to limit the Raiders' offense enough to come away with this one.

Plus, the Texans should have star receiver Andre Johnson back by the time the playoffs come around.

AFC Wild Card Round: No. 5 Steelers Beat No. 4 Broncos

Sorry, Tim Tebow fans.

Hey, at least I have the Denver Broncos winning the AFC West.

Tebow and the Broncos have had a marvelous second half of the season, but if they match up with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wildcard round, I just don't see how they'll be able to pull it off.

One thing people need to understand about the Broncos' defense is that it's developing. It may have been spectacular against so-so offenses, but Weeks 15 and 16 showed it can be exposed.

The New England Patriots have an explosive offense, and the Buffalo Bills showed early in the season that they have the potential to be an explosive offense. This hit home for the Broncos in Weeks 15 and 16.

The Steelers don't have as good an offense as they did last season, but I still expect an experienced offense like this to put some points on the board against a young Broncos defense.

Plus, Tebow should have serious trouble against the Steelers' defense.

NFC Wild Card Round: No. 3 Saints Beat No. 6 Lions

The rising Detroit Lions should slip into the playoffs as the NFC's No. 6 seed this season.

They've been up and down all season long. They won their first five games, then went  2-5, then won their last three games.

They are a team with a bright future, but they are still a developing team.

Against an experienced team like the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, I expect the Lions to struggle and Drew Brees and Co. to exert their dominance.

I could see the Lions knocking the Saints out of the playoffs next season, but it's too early right now.

NFC Wild Card Round: No. 5 Falcons Beat No. 4 Giants

The Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants have both been up and down this season, but the Falcons look stronger in the second half overall than the Giants to me.

Yes, the Giants destroyed the New York Jets in Week 16, 29-14, but the Jets haven't exactly looked like world-beaters this season either.

Before that game, the Giants lost to the Washington Redskins.

The Falcons are scoring more points per game and allowing fewer points per game than the Giants.

Plus, they simply seem more headstrong than the Giants, which is why I don't think the Giants' home-field advantage in the playoffs will matter.