The NFL season has reached its final quarter. We're down to just the last four games of the regular season. The playoff picture is starting to crystallize, although only one team has been completely eliminated (sorry Cleveland!). This projection accounts for team's schedules as well as their divisions, unlike standard Power Rankings. With that in mind, here are my projections for the NFL Playoffs after 13 weeks.
AFC:
The Bengals have looked great so far this season. Losses to the Texans and Cardinals sting, but the Bengals have bounced back with two impressive wins. The Bengals hold the tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed, but that might not a last. A December game against the Broncos might be the difference between the Bengals getting the top seed and dropping to No. 3.
The Patriots have lost two straight games, but are still in good position to grab a first round bye. Injuries are killing the team, but their semi-easy schedule helps them greatly. New England might not end up with the top seed in the AFC, but they should get a bye.
Denver's defense is worthy of a No. 1 seed and the offense is much better with Brock Osweiler at the helm. The Broncos, Bengals and Patriots will all compete for the No. 1 seed and a bye. Someone will have to take the No. 3 seed, and it will likely be the loser of the Bengals-Broncos matchup in December.
The Colts are 6-6, tied with Houston for the division lead. The division might come down to the Texans visiting the Colts in late December, but the Colts have an easier schedule. That gives them the advantage, and I think they'll beat Houston head-to-head as well.
The 7-5 Chiefs have won six straight, including keys wins over the Bills and Raiders. The Chiefs have an incredibly easy schedule, as they don't play a team with a winning record the rest of the year. The Chiefs could easily finish with a 10-6 record this year.
Ben Roethlisberger has battled through injuries and with him at the helm, the Steelers should be a playoff team. The wild card spots are going to come down to the wire in the AFC and the Steelers have tough games against the Broncos and Bengals left. The Steelers are 7-5, but close the season with two easy games. The Steelers are in the driver's seat for the last playoff spot. However, the Bills and Jets are in decent position. The Texans, Dolphins and Raiders still have a shot as well.
NFC:
The 12-0 Panthers are the clear NFC South favorite. Cam Newton is doing a ton for this team, as is the defense. I doubt they go undefeated, but it could happen. Their schedule isn't too daunting.
The Cardinals picked up where they left off last season before Carson Palmer was injured. Arizona hasn't been perfect this year, but they are 10-2 with a three-game lead in the NFC West. Their win over Cincinnati was impressive. They should easily lock up a bye.
I'm not sure what to make of this Packers' team. They beat the Vikings in a critical game, but followed that up with a loss to the Bears. This division will come down to the final week of the season, when the Packers host Minnesota. For now, the Packers get the nod because of a slightly easier schedule and a win over the Vikings.
The NFC East is just awful. There isn't a worse division in the NFL. The Giants could have taken a stranglehold on the division, but lost to the Redskins and blew it against the Jets. The Redskins could have taken a one-game lead, but lost to the Cowboys. The Eagles upset the Patriots and close the season with two divisional games. If they win those, it might be enough to get into the playoffs. With seven wins. Also, the Cowboys can't be counted out either. They're just a game back. Your guess is as good as mine for who wins this terrible division.
The Seahawks are back in my projections, thanks to an impressive wins over the Steelers and Vikings. Seattle could win its next three games, which would put the team at 10-5 before a game at Arizona. Seattle seems destined to make the playoffs this season.
The Vikings are 8-4 and serious contenders, despite a loss to the Seahawks. That loss might end up costing them the No. 4 seed. A loss to the Packers keeps them in the wild card spot for now, but that could change in the coming weeks. They'll finish with a better record than the NFC East winner. The Falcons have fallen apart, while the Buccaneers are the only other team with six wins.
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