Playoff Picture: Who’s in, Who’s Out? AFC/NFC North Edition

Will they get In?

The 2012 NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture is becoming clearer every week.  Last week I discussed the AFC/NFC East picture.  This week we will discuss the dominate AFC/NFC North conference playoff picture.  We will go into remaining schedules and predictions.

AFC North

Cleveland Browns:     The Browns have been out of the playoff race for a long time now.  They have a 4-7 record.  The Browns are a pesky team but lack the quarterback and playmakers to get over the 5-6 win hump.  This offseason the Browns will have 3 picks in the top 50 more than likely and will have to decide what to do at Quarterback and Running back.  Defensively the Browns are very stout and are only a couple players from being dominant.

Cincinnati Bengals:    The Bengals are 7-4 right now.  I do not think many people predicted this. Dalton has been efficient, the young playmakers have stepped up, and the defense has taken over many games.  Currently, the Bengals would be in the playoffs as the last Wild Card team.  Their schedule, however, is not favorable.  The Bengals play atPittsburgh,Houston at home, andBaltimore at home.  They do get a break with the Cardinals at home and atSt. Louis.  Bengals must win one of their hard games to get to 10-6.  This might be enough to get in.  It is between the Jets and Bengals for the last spot in the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers:    Who says it is hard to get up after losing the Super Bowl?  After a slow start at 2-2, the Steelers have won 6 of the last 7.  Two close losses to the Ravens hurt but they are neck in neck with them for the division lead and home filed advantage in the playoffs.  Steelers have to get by the Bengals at home and atSan Francisco but still have a favorable schedule and 12-4 record is likely.

Baltimore Ravens:     Ravens have been polarizing.  At home they are unbeatable, against good teams they have been dominant, but they have lost to the Titans, Jaguars, and Seahawks?  Ravens need to put their road struggles to rest…that or get home field advantage…I guess to do that they need to do the former.  Ravens have an easy stretch of games to end the season.  AtCleveland, atSan Diego, and atCincinnati; they play the Colts and Browns at home.  At worse I see the Ravens 12-4.  That would beat the Steelers and be neck in neck with the Patriots for home field.  I do not think the Ravens get it, but they get a first week bye and a guaranteed home playoff game in Round 2.

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings:   Vikings are worse that I thought they would be.  Vikings have too much talent to be 2-9.  I think the Vikings can win one more game.  At 3-13 the Vikings should have a top 3 pick and would be in position to acquire a franchise LT or a true #1 WR.  Vikings will be a lot better next year.  Ponder has shown ability to compete and if the OL improves watch out.

Detroit Lions: It appears the Lions hardest opponent is themselves.  Penalties, injuries, inconsistent play, and immaturity have cost the Lions recently.  A 5-0 start has fizzled to a 7-4 record.  Worse yet the Lions have to go toNew Orleans,Oakland, andGreen Bay still.  I can see one win out of those 3 games and a guarantee win at home versus the Vikings.  At 9-6 the game that matters isSan Diego at home and I see the Lions winning that game.  10-6 is a great third year from Schwartz but I don’t think that is enough…it all depends on how Caleb Hennie does the rest of the season.  Lions split withChicago and would be 3-3 in division games.

Chicago Bears:          Just as the Bears appeared to be a real threat in the Super Bowl race Cutler goes down and the Bears lose to the Raiders.  TheOakland game was on the road and they might have lost anyways so it might not be a big deal.  Bears have home games with the Chiefs and Seahawks and should win both.  The Bears have road games atDenver,Green Bay, andMinnesota.  Bears should win 1-2 games.  I think it all comes down to theDenver game.  If they win that game they are 11-5 and go to the playoffs.  If they lose and are 10-6…they are 3-3 in division games and more tie breaks come into place between them and the Lions.

Green Bay Packers:  Can they just hoist the Lombardi Trophy already?  The real question is can they stay unbeaten?  Packers do have some tough games coming up, and the 49ers have 2 losses so the Packers have some breathing room.  Games at Giants, and Raiders; and home division games withChicago andDetroit are tough. I do not think the Packers win all those game…but I do not think they lose more than 1 or 2.  At worse the Packers are 14-2 but I think a 15-1 record is coming, home field advantage in the playoffs, and a Super Bowl appearance against the Patriots or Ravens.