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Written by Matt Miller, Media by Matt Miller
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As we approach the final few weeks of regular season play in the NFL the question comes to mind, who will be in the playoffs? As the race continues teams are battling for a spot in this seasons playoffs with only twelve teams making it into the playoffs.
If the season were to end this week the AFC would have Denver and New England with a first round bye, as the Chargers would play the Colts and the Steelers would play the Bengals. In the NFC the Cardinals and Packers would receive the first round bye while the Lions would face the Eagles, and the Seahawks would play the Falcons. But since we still have three more weeks of football there are plenty of teams still in the playoff hunt!
With the AFC and NFC still having six teams who still have potential to clinch a wildcard slot in the playoffs following if any of those top six were to lose. On the AFC side there is still plenty of teams that have an 8-5 or 7-6 record that have a chance to make the playoffs. In the AFC the Ravens (8-5), the Texans (7-6), the Dolphins (7-6), the Chiefs (7-6), the Bills (7-6) and lastly the Browns (7-6) are all very much still alive and have playoff hopes. In the NFC the Cowboys (9-4), the 49ers (7-6), the Vikings (6-7), the Rams (6-7), the Saints (5-8), and the Panthers (4-8).
According to insiderESPN the most interesting playoff race comes from the AFC south, considering that they are the worst division in football with the best record in their division being 5-8 these next 3 weeks are going to be up for grabs by the team who performs the best between Carolina, Atlanta, and New Orleans all teams which are either 5-8 or 4-8-1. It will be a battle to see which team can win out the rest of their games will clinch the wild card spot.
The NFC West is all but clinched by Seattle and the first place Cardinals, as long as either team wins two out of the next three games. San Fran needs to win out and have Seattle lose at least two of their next three games. This upcoming week proves to be a must win situation for the 49ers as they face off in Seattle against the Seahawks and their twelve man.
The NFC North is very similar to the NFC West with the almost unbeatable Green Bay Packers, who are lead by one of the top rated quarterbacks in the NFL Aaron Rogers in first place, and the Detroit Lions closely behind. The two division powerhouses need to win just one game to secure their playoff spots as the Minnesota Vikings attempt to win out the rest of their games and have the Lions lose all three of their next to secure the Vikings wildcard spot.
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The AFC West and East are both similar as both the Broncos and the Patriots both leading their divisions, only having to win one out of the next three games to clinch their spots as the number one seeds. San Diego will clinch the wildcard spot as long as they win two out of the three games and Kansas City loses at least one.
The AFC North and South however are going to be a battle as The Colts sit on top of the North having to win two games to secure their spot as the number one seed earning the bye week. Cincinnati has Baltimore chasing at their heels with a tie giving the Bengals the advantage. Though Baltimore can still clinch a spot if either Cincinnati or Pittsburgh lose and they win at least two out of the three games in the upcoming weeks.
So with all of these teams still in the playoff race who will clinch and who will ultimately win the super bowl?
Check out what some GC student predict will be the NFC & AFC Championship and Superbowl:
Video made by Matt Miller
