NFL Playoff Picture: How Each Wild-Card Team Will Fare in Postseason

With the season nearing its end, it's time to take a look forward to what we can expect from some of the potential teams. 

The division champions are as follows:

AFC East	New England Patriots
NFC North	Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC South	Houston Texans
AFC West	Denver Broncos or Oakland Raiders

NFC East	New York Giants
NFC North	Green Bay Packers
NFC South	New Orleans Saints
NFC West	San Francisco 49ers

But since we're talking about Wild Cards here, that's who we're going to focus on. The NFC Wild Cards are set, although we don't know who will be the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds. 

In the AFC, things are a lot more unclear.

But for now, we're going to take a look at the teams that could end up occupying the wild-card spot and figuring out how they would do as Wild Cards. 

Remember that the 2010 Packers, 2007 Giants and 2005 Steelers all won the Super Bowl without playing a single home game, so it's far from impossible.

Atlanta Falcons

While he's young, Matt Ryan's playoff history is dismal. He's 0-2 and hasn't been horribly close either time. If he's going to get that elusive win, the Falcons will need some help.

They will need to not only beat the Buccaneers on Sunday, but will also need the Packers to beat the Lions in a game that means nothing to Green Bay.

The No. 5 seed will be important in the NFC, as the winner will get to take on the NFC East champion, which is by far the most desirable scenario. The No. 6 seed would likely need to take on the Saints, but possibly the 49ers. Either of those teams would win.

My guess is that the Lions will beat the Packers on Sunday, as Green Bay will be resting. 

Falcons' Predicted Finish: First-round elimination

Detroit Lions

The same logic that applied to the Falcons also applies to the Lions. They need that No. 5 seed.

The Saints have already handily defeated the Lions. The 49ers won a close game, but that was in Detroit. A rematch would be in San Francisco.

The Lions have a few things going. One is the combination of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson; the other is a defensive line that can pressure the quarterback like no other. 

That would get them past a first-round matchup with the NFC East champion, but their chances beyond that aren't great. That would mean a date with the Packers, who will be playing all out. The Lions aren't going to win that game at Lambeau Field.

Lions' Predicted Finish: Second-round elimination

Baltimore Ravens

This is where things get interesting, and a lot of "what ifs" come into play. 

The Ravens have a bye week if they win on Sunday, or if the Steelers lose. In the event that they do have to play on Wild Card Weekend, they will be okay. If they hope to get to the AFC Championship Game or beyond, they need to get that bye week. 

Baltimore would beat the Broncos or Raiders on the road, but I wouldn't like their chances in New England or Pittsburgh the following week. 

Fortunately, I have them winning this week, locking up the division and a bye. 

Ravens' Predicted Finish: AFC Championship Game loss

Pittsburgh Steelers

Like the Ravens, the Steelers need this bye week to get past the second round. They would beat the Broncos or Oakland, but their chances of winning in Baltimore or New England are terrible. 

They're terrible because Ben Roethlisberger would be significantly less than 100 percent at that point. With a bye week, they would actually have home-field advantage, and would get an extra week to rest their star quarterback.

As it is, this is not the year for Pittsburgh. Being swept by the Ravens and a banged-up Ben Roethlisberger will be too much to overcome. 

Steelers' Predicted Finish: Divisional Round loss

Cincinnati Bengals

In the AFC, the Wild Card is a good place to be. The opponents on Wild Card Weekend will either be the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders or depleted Houston Texans. 

Unfortunately, the Bengals won't get to receive the benefits of this. The Ravens will be playing for too much on Sunday, and too much needs to happen for the Bengals to lose and still make the playoffs. They have a bright future in the AFC, but will be watching the playoffs this year. 

Bengals' Predicted Finish: Miss the playoffs

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders' lack of consistency will do them in. Carson Palmer throws too many interceptions, and they commit too many terrible penalties. 

Now, they will win on Sunday, which opens the door up for a possible division championship. But the Broncos will also win on Sunday, keeping the Raiders from that title. 

It's a confusing situation in the AFC, but the Raiders will ultimately need help that they're not going to get to make the playoffs.

Next year, this team will be a force when they return healthy. This year, they will be watching the playoffs.

Raiders' Predicted Finish: Miss the playoffs

New York Jets

A split against the Eagles and Giants would have been enough for the Jets. As it is now, they're going to be watching the postseason for the first time since 2008. 

They're technically alive, but like the Raiders, New York will need too much help to be a realistic playoff hope. Ironically, the Jets have more potential for a deep playoff run than any team vying for the No. 6 seed, with the possible exception of the Bengals.

But to make a deep run, you need to make the playoffs first. That's not going to happen to the Jets this year.

Jets' Predicted Finish: Miss the playoffs

Tennessee Titans

Behold your No. 6 seed in the AFC. They will not only make the playoffs, but will play the same opponent in the same building in the first round of the playoffs that they played in Week 17. 

The Texans are beaten up, and don't have anything to gain or lose. They will certainly rest the healthy stars that they have in Week 17. That opens the door for the Titans, who will march through it, albeit with some help. 

First, they need to win and the Bengals need to lose. 

After that, they need the Jets to lose, and the Broncos and Raiders to win. Or, they need the Jets to win, and have the Broncos or Raiders lose. It's confusing, but those will happen.

As confusing as that is, the Titans will not only get to the playoffs, but will win once there. The injuries are catching up with the Texans, and will be kept from advancing in the playoffs as a result. 

Titans' Predicted Result: Divisional Round loss

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