NFL: Playoffs? Which teams will make it?

As we get a little deeper into the NFL season, now seems like a great time to take a look at which teams will make the playoffs. Of course, there is such a logjam of teams fighting for the Wildcard that it won’t be easy to sort it all out. But I’ll try to look into my crystal ball and make a prediction.

First, let’s took a look at how I think the seeding will go in the AFC and then I’ll comment on it on the other side.

Seeds:

1. Tennessee Titans (AFC South winner)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North winner)
3. New England Patriots (AFC East winner)
4. San Diego Chargers (AFC West winner)
5. Indianapolis Colts (Wildcard)
6. New York Jets (Wildcard)

There really isn’t any surprise with the top three teams. The surprise is how big of a drop-off there is between the #3 seed and the rest of the seeds. Really, there is a pretty big drop-off between two and three as well.

But I do think the Colts, with a pretty easy schedule, will edge the Ravens, the Bills, and the Jets for the #5 seed. And I have enough faith left in Favre to think he’ll get his team into the playoffs as well.

So, let’s move on to the NFC.

1. New York Giants (NFC East winner)
2. Carolina Panthers (NFC South winner)
3. Arizona Cardinals (NFC West winner)
4. Chicago Bears (NFC North winner)
5. Dallas Cowboys (Wildcard)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (Wildcard)

No surprises at the top here either.

I just think the Giants, the Panthers, and the Cardinals will all win their divisions easily. The Bears will have to fight to stay atop the North. I think the Bucs fall back, as do the Redskins, and the Cowboys will go on a run now that they have most of their guys back. Of course, this Sunday’s game between the Boys and the Skins will have a lot to say about how the teams will finish.

So there you have it. Tomorrow I’ll actually try to predict how the playoffs will go.