NFL Playoff Outlook

BENTON - With the NFL Playoffs right around the corner, it's hard not to look ahead and see where you think your team is going to finish in the standings. We have taken the current records of the top 10 teams in each conference and predicted the remaining regular season games on the schedule to give you a projected version of what we believe will be the seeding for the NFL Playoffs. Now, before you call me biased, let's get one thing straight: I'm a Cleveland Browns fan. Yes, I know, it's hilarious. But beyond that, I'm a fan of sports in general. I've had the pleasure of watching all 32 teams and feel very confident about how I've predicted things to shape out.

Starting things off in the NFC, I think the Chicago Bears have found the right formula with Ben Johnson and the roster they've put together this year. I believe they'll be the favorites in the NFC. I went back and forth with this one as I originally had the Bears finishing 13-4, but I think they'll split with the Packers and lose one to either Detroit or San Francisco. Right behind them are the Los Angeles Rams who I also have finishing at 12-5. They might just be my pick to win the NFC Championship as the Rams are no stranger to the playoffs and have a lot of experienced veterans. The Eagles may have something to say about that though as I have them finishing at 11-6 and claiming the NFC East crown. The Buccaneers round out the list of NFC division champions as I have them finishing at 10-7 and winning the NFC South. The #5 spot goes to the Green Bay Packers as I believe they'll matchup with the Buccaneers in the first round. At #6 I've got the Seattle Seahawks finishing 11-6, one game behind the Rams. San Francisco slides into our last playoff spot as I have them projected to finish 10-7. Just missing the playoffs would be the Cowboys, Lions and Panthers.

On the AFC side, the Patriots are looking like a franchise that remembered how to play football without Tom Brady. I project New England to finish 13-4 and possess the first round bye in the playoffs. The Patriots should finish at the top of the AFC East. At #2 I've got the Denver Broncos finishing the season at 12-5 and winning the AFC West. They have been more than impressive in a year that I didn't expect to see them at the top. Behind them at #3 is the Indianapolis Colts. I have them projected to finish 10-7 at the top of the AFC South. I'm expecting them to finish with the same record as Jacksonville, but the two games against the Jaguars to finish the season will be crucial to earning this spot. These two could easily be flipped. At #4 I've got the Baltimore Ravens finishing at 9-8. The AFC East has been absolutely atrocious this year and it almost seems they're in competition for who can lose the most games. Their gift for making the playoffs would be a date with the #5 Buffalo Bills who I have projected to finish 11-6. Josh Allen and crew always find a way. At #6 I've got the Jacksonville Jaguars finishing 10-7 and facing the Colts in Round 1, which would be their third matchup with each other. Rounding out the list at #7 I've got the Los Angeles Chargers finishing 10-7. They lost an early season matchup with the Jaguars so they lose the head-to-head and grab the last playoff spot. Just missing the playoffs would be the Texans, Chiefs and Steelers.

NFC- Current Records  Chicago Bears (9-3)  Los Angeles Rams (9-3)  Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)  Seattle Seahawks (9-3)  Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)  San Francisco 49ers (9-4)  Detroit Lions (7-5)  Dallas Cowboys (6-5-1)  Carolina Panthers (7-6)	NFC- Projected Finish  Chicago Bears (12-5)  Los Angeles Rams (12-5)  Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)  Green Bay Packers (11-5-1)  Seattle Seahawks (11-6)  San Francisco 49ers (10-7)  Dallas Cowboys (9-7-1)  Detroit Lions (9-8)  Carolina Panthers (9-8)
AFC- Current Records  New England Patriots (11-2)  Denver Broncos (10-2)  Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)  Baltimore Ravens (6-6)  Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)  Indianapolis Colts (8-4)  Buffalo Bills (8-4)  Houston Texans (7-5)  Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6)  Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)	AFC - Projected Finish  New England Patriots (13-4)  Denver Broncos (12-5)  Indianapolis Colts (10-7)  Baltimore Ravens (9-8)  Buffalo Bills (11-6)  Jacksonville Jaguars (10-7)  Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)  Houston Texans (9-8)  Kansas City Chiefs (9-8)  Pittsburgh Steelers (8-9)