With one week remaining in the 2015 NFL regular season, here’s a breakdown of the playoff picture…
AFC right now
1. Patriots (12-3)
2. Broncos (11-4)
3. Bengals (11-4)
4. Texans (8-7)
5. Chiefs (10-5)
6. Jets (10-5)
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7. Steelers (9-6)
If the Patriots, Broncos, Chiefs and Jets all win as expected, we’ll have Jets at Bengals and Chiefs at Texans, with the Patriots and Broncos awaiting the winners. Not exactly enticing, especially considering the quarterbacks leading those teams.
AFC projection
1. Patriots (13-3)
2. Broncos (12-4)
3. Bengals (11-5)
4. Texans (8-8)
5. Chiefs (11-5)
6. Steelers (10-6)
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7. Jets (10-6)
But we’re expecting the Bills to upset the Jets, giving the Steelers a chance to sneak in with an expected victory over the Browns. We still think New England avoids finishing with a two-game losing streak by beating lowly Miami and the Broncos take care of the weak Chargers at home to secure the second bye, and Kansas City should take care of Oakland. That means we’d have Steelers at Bengals instead of Jets at Bengals, which is an upgrade.
NFC right now
1. Panthers (14-1)
2. Cardinals (13-2)
3. Packers (10-5)
4. Redskins (8-7)
5. Vikings (10-5)
6. Seahawks (9-6)
Carolina and Arizona are locked in with byes, but the Panthers will be forced to beat the Bucs if the Cardinals win at home against Seattle. That game also impacts the Seahawks, who could still finish fifth and earn the luxury of playing the Redskins by beating the Cardinals and getting help from the Packers Sunday night against Minnesota. But if the Panthers, Cardinals and Packers all win (as expected), we’ll have Seattle at Green Bay and Minnesota at Washington.
NFL projection
1. Panthers (15-1)
2. Cardinals (13-3)
3. Vikings (11-5)
4. Redskins (8-8)
5. Packers (10-6)
6. Seahawks (9-7)
We do think the Panthers and Cards will win, but the wild-card round will be shaken up when Minnesota upsets an off-its-game Green Bay team at Lambeau. That might be a blessing in disguise for the Packers, who with a loss would automatically draw the mediocre Redskins in the first round. Seahawks at Vikings would also be fun.
