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NFL playoff picture: Who gets in and who misses out?

The New England Patriots have won a fifth Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Roar Guru
11th December, 2014
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As we fast approach the end of what’s been another fantastic season full of highs and lows – both on and off the field – the playoff picture is really starting to take shape. However, nothing is set in stone.

So let’s take a look at who might get in, and who might miss out.

First of all the NFC, but more specifically the NFC South division. First question – does any team here actually want to win this division!?

The division leading Atlanta Falcons sit at 5-8 as do the New Orleans Saints, with the Carolina Panthers only half a game back on 4-8-1. Regardless of who wins the division no team will win it with a winning record, which has caused some to question the playoff format.

The NFC East in recent times is always so close this time of year and this season is no exception.

Both the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys sit at 9-4 and there’s every chance both these teams are playing playoff football come January, the question is who wins the division and who gets the wild-card spot?

Oh and by the way, they play each other this week!

The final two NFC divisions also appear to be a two-horse race. In the NFC North the on-fire Green Bay Packers are 10-3, a game ahead of the 9-4 Detroit Lions.

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Both of these teams face-off in week 17 in what could potentially be a division decider. Many are picking the Packers as Super Bowl favourites but the Lions have the defence to take them on a deep playoff run.

Oh and they have Calvin Johnson back and healthy.

Finally in the NFC West the somewhat surprising Arizona Cardinals will likely be in the playoffs, currently sitting at 10-3, but have a tough run-in. Don’t look now though because the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are only a game back on 9-4, playing like the Seahawks of last season and are more than capable of winning this division.

These two square off in week 16, should be a cracking game.

Now let’s look at the AFC. In the AFC East the New England Patriots have all but won the division at 10-3 but it’s the two teams behind them in the 7-6 Buffalo Bills and 7-6 Miami Dolphins that make this division interesting.

They’ll be scrapping for a potential wild-card spot the rest of the way. Both teams still have to play the Patriots before seasons end.

In the crowded AFC North, where only 1.5 games separates all four teams – all of which sit on winning records – the Cincinnati Bengals barely sit on top with a 8-4-1 record in perhaps the hardest division to call in terms of who makes the playoffs.

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Imagine what would happen to the internet if now starting quarterback Johnny Manziel takes the Cleveland Browns to the playoffs?

The AFC West sees no surprise as the Denver Broncos lead the way on 10-3 and can clinch a playoff spot this week. But the battle between the 8-5 San Diego Chargers and 7-6 Kansas City Chiefs is one to watch as they’ll battle for a wild-card spot.

Huge divisional match-up this week as the Broncos and Chargers square off. Broncos win and they’re in, simple as that.

To finish off the AFC we see the Indianapolis Colts lead the way in the AFC South on 9-4 with the JJ Watt lead Houston Texans two games back on 7-6.

Anyone remember the Colts starting the season 0-2? Seems like a long time ago now and you’d favour them to win the division. As for the Texans they may have to win all their remaining games to get into the playoffs.

So now predictions on who makes the playoffs and what seed each team will take. In the NFC I can see it finishing: 1, Green Bay Packers. 2, Arizona Cardinals. 3, Philadelphia Eagles. 4, Atlanta Falcons. 5, Seattle Seahawks. 6, Detroit Lions.

In the AFC I have 1, New England Patriots. 2, Denver Broncos. 3, Indianapolis Colts. 4, Pittsburgh Steelers. 5, San Diego Chargers. 6, Baltimore Ravens.

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These last few weeks of the NFL season are going to be very interesting indeed as playoffs spots are secured and the battle continues as to who will reach the big one, Super Bowl XLIX.

Strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride.

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