Midseason NFL Playoff Projections

The power rankings are getting a little repetitive, so it's time for something new.  We've reached the halfway point of the season, and by now we know who the playoff contenders and the bottom feeders are, and in the NFC West a few teams could be classified as both. The NFC is pretty much set in my opinion, with only the order of finish left to be determined.  The only spot that really looks up for grabs is the one designated for the NFC West Champion, with all 4 teams still in contention.  The AFC is much more complicated, with as many as 11 teams still with a shot at the playoffs.

NFC

1. New York Giants 6-2
The Giants have been by far the best and most consistent team in the NFC.  With Eli Manning at the helm, Hakeem Nicks having a Pro Bowl season at receiver, Ahmad Bradshaw running well out of the backfield, and the defense drilling quarterbacks at a high rate, this team has all the pieces to make another run at a Super Bowl.

2. Green Bay Packers 6-3
Despite their slow start and plethora of injuries, the Packers have taken back control of the NFC North and look poised to cruise into the playoffs.  Aaron Rodgers is still underrated somehow, as he isn't given credit for being in the same class with Manning, Brady, Brees and the other best QB's in the league even though he clearly has to be in the conversation. I picked Green Bay to make the Super Bowl before the season started, and it once again looks very possible after a rough start to the season.

3. New Orleans Saints 6-3
Despite playing without their top 2 running backs for most of the season, the Saints are quietly right there in the race for the NFC South.  They have one of the best QB's in the NFL in Drew Brees, and the defense has really picked it up the last few weeks.  I look for them to overtake the Falcons in the second to last game of the season.

4. Arizona Cardinals 3-5
I picked the Cardinals to win the NFC West for 2 reasons.  One, they have the easiest schedule, and two, they've been to the playoffs recently.  Basically no one on the other 3 teams knows anything about the playoffs, so I'm going with Arizona to get back there and bow out in the first round.  They have plenty of weapons at receiver, and the defense has been extremely opportunistic.  That said, it wouldn't surprise me to see any of the other teams in their division in this spot.


5. Atlanta Falcons 7-2
The Falcons have been squeaking out victories all year, and I think it will catch up to them late in the season and in the playoffs.  Roddy White has been spectacular, and Michael Turner keeps the defense honest by providing a solid ground game.  The pass defense is one of the league's worst, and I think that ultimately be their undoing come playoff time.

6. Philadelphia Eagles 5-3
The Eagles are arguably the most dangerous team in the NFC when they are healthy, and it appears most of their stars are finally starting to shake the nagging injuries that have held them back at times this season.  It's going to be tough for them to win the NFC East, but no one is going to want to play this team in the playoffs.


Others in contention:  Seattle Seahwaks 4-4, St. Louis Rams 4-4, and San Francisco 49ers 2-6 (entire NFC West)  Playoff Chances on Life Support: Tampa Bay 5-3, Chicago 5-3

AFC

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2
The Steelers have been my #1 team for most of the year, and they haven't done anything to change my mind.  Pittsburgh has all the weapons on both sides of the ball, and they remain the favorite to win it all.

2. New York Jets 6-2
The Jets have been struggling recently, as Mark Sanchez seems to have come back to earth after his nearly perfect start to the season.  They're in a dogfight with the Patriots for the division championship, a fight they will lose if they don't pick up their level of play.  I expect them to start looking more like the Jets team at the beginning of the season in the coming weeks.


3. Indianapolis Colts 5-3
Injuries are really starting to take a toll on this team.  When Peyton Manning looks down the field, most of the familiar faces he's used to seeing aren't there.  Despite playing with mostly backups, the Colts just find a way to get it done.  I'm sure they will be around come playoff time.


4. Kansas City Chiefs 5-3
This one is close.  The Chiefs have played extremely well this season, and boast one of the games best rushing attacks to go with a solid defense.  That said, the Raiders and Chargers are right on their heels, so KC will have to keep it up if they want to hold on in the NFC West.


5. Baltimore Ravens 6-3
No one would want to play this team in the playoffs.  They have all the tools to win a title, but will likely drop to the 5 seed since they are in Pittsburgh's division.

6. New England Patriots 6-2
This season is a real credit to the coaching staff.  The Patriots' defense was terrible at the beginning of the season, and no one has ever heard of any of the guys running the ball for New England.  Brady lost his Hall of Fame receiver, but the offense didn't miss a beat when Deion Branch was brought in to replace him. This organization just knows how to win.

Others in contention:  San Diego Chargers 4-5 (have all the talent to overtake KC) and Oakland Raiders 5-4 (NFC West battle), Tennessee Titans 5-3, Miami Dolphins 4-4, Houston Texans 4-4