NFL Playoff Scenarios: Most Favorable Matchup for Each Wild-Card Team

The NFC Wild Card spots will be represented by the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions.

The fifth seed in the AFC will be represented by either Baltimore or Pittsburgh. The sixth seed could be represented by (according to ESPN):

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Cincinnati (win and in)

Oakland (win and CIN loss + TEN loss or tie) or (win and CIN loss + NYJ win)

New York Jets (win and CIN loss + TEN loss or tie + OAK loss or tie) or (win and CIN loss + TEN loss or tie + DEN loss or tie)

Titans (win and CIN loss + NYJ win + OAK loss or tie) or (win CIN loss + NYJ win + DEN loss or tie) or (win CIN loss + NYJ loss or tie + OAK win + DEN win)

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It is obviously rather complicated behind Cincinnati and Oakland.

The Raiders can still win the AFC West, but the Broncos cannot earn a wild-card berth.

Here are the best matchups for each wild-card team.

Falcons 

Believe it or not, Atlanta is best served having to play the Saints again. The Falcons do not fair well outside of domes and if they don't play New Orleans, they'll have to travel to across the country to San Francisco to battle the 49ers.

Not only does Atlanta not fare well outside, but they are even worse on grass.

It is also extremely difficult for any team to beat another three times in one season. Taking on the Saints, despite their dominance this week, is the best case scenario for Atlanta.

Lions

Detroit has lost to both San Francisco and New Orleans already this season. They defeated Dallas and haven't played the Giants.

Big Blue's porous secondary is the ideal matchup for Matt Stafford and the Lions offense. Their defense will be able to shut down the Giants' run game and New York is only 3-4 at home this year.

The Lions' best opportunity for success this postseason starts in East Rutherford.

Ravens/Steelers

Doesn't matter whether they play the Broncos or Raiders; the AFC North powers will be the heavy, heavy favorites and, ultimately, the winner.

Bengals

A rookie on rookie matchup under center against the Texans is exactly what the Bengals are hoping for. Cincinnati plays Baltimore this week though and there is a good chance they'll be rooting against the Jets and the AFC West when their game is over.

Raiders

A sixth-seeded Raiders team can only hope they're traveling to Houston where they already won earlier this year.

Jets

Gang Green and Rex Ryan's defense traveling to Houston to take on a rookie quarterback simply isn't fair.

As good as the Texans' run game and defense is, they'll be hard-pressed to beat a battle-tested Jets team should they find their way into the playoffs.

Titans

Same goes for Tennessee. If they can find a way into the postseason (they need a lot of help) they'll be very happy with taking a trip to Houston.