AFC Wild Card Winners

Trying to fit eight football teams into two playoff slots is like trying to fit Ralphie May into a pair of skinny jeans. This is exactly what we as sports fan have the opportunity to witness when it comes to the AFC Playoff picture. With eight teams vying for two spots and only four games remaining for each contender, I figure I'd take the mystery out of the "who" for my readers and explain the "why". As a fan, and as it being so close to the holidays, I did some research to see if the Jets would be in or out at the end of week 17. My hopes are to take the mystery out, and the edge off, so I am less irritable as I am spending two precious weeks back home with my family. Here it goes:

The Denver Broncos, who have a two-game lead in the Wild Card race over the teams on the outside, will wind up at 10-6 with a loss at Indy this weekend, followed by a win at home against Oakland, a loss at Philly, and a home win versus KC.

With the Broncos in, one spot remains for seven teams that are realistically in the hunt. What is going to make this race even more exciting is that most of the teams play each of the other teams at least once before their respective season ends. All of these teams are capable of beating each other since they are the equivalent to mid-major NFL squads, resulting in plenty of high-intensity end of the year match-ups.

If you are unable to stomach the watching of these high-stakes games, be easy. The Chiefs host the Browns this weekend and the Browns host the Raiders next weekend.

Seven today will dwindle down to three when the season's final regular season whistle blows.

Texans fans need not continue reading. They don't even need to watch their team's final two games. After beating two weak NFC West teams (vs. SEA and at STL) the Texans will lose to two AFC East teams (at MIA and vs. NE), finishing at 7-9 and possibly in the market for a new Head Coach.

The Jags will lose their next three games (vs. MIA, vs. IND, and at NE) and end with a win (at CLE) to finish a .500 football team, which leaves them out.

The Dolphins win in JAX, lose at TN, win hosting HOU, and lose at home against PIT, suffering the same 8-8 fate as the Jags.

The Titans' 0-6 start will prove too much as they also finish with the same amount of wins as loses with their four games yielding wins at home against STL and MIA before losing at home to SD and wrapping up 2009 with a road win in SEA.

With these four failures out of the picture, like me at Meredith's "Family" Thanksgiving picture in 2008, three teams are in position to clinch the final spot.

The J-E-T-S keep it going with wins at TB, vs. ATL, and at IND (assuming starters will be rested) before losing their final game at home against the Bengals, who will need to win to perhaps earn a 1st round bye, or even clinch the AFC North. The Jets finish 9-7.

The Steelers win at CLE, lose at home to a great pass-oriented GB team, get revenge at home against BAL, and win in MIA to also end up 9-7.

The Ravens win road games in DET and in CHI before losing at PIT and winning in OAK. The Ray-Rays also end up at 9-7 in a three-way tie for the final spot.

Since the Ravens and Steelers play in the same division, their tie-break scenario takes precedence and the Jets only need to TKO the winner of that tiebreak in order to make the postseason. The Ravens and Steelers would split if my predictions hold up and end up 3-3 in the division (sweeping the Browns, getting swept by the Bengals, and splitting), causing the team with the best record against common opponents to take the bacon. The Ravens upcoming wins against the Bears and Raiders, both teams the Steelers fell to, would give them the nod over PIT.

The Jets and Ravens would be the final two teams for that one spot and whichever team earns a better record against AFC opponents will be the 6 seed. After week 17 the Ravens will have wins against KC, SD, CLE, DEN, CLE, PIT, and OAK, with losses against NE, CIN, CIN, IND, and PIT for a record of 7-5. The Jets would own victories over HOU, NE, TEN, OAK, BUF, and IND, and defeats at the hands of MIA, BUF, MIA, JAC, NE, and CIN for a 6-6 AFC record and enough bad loses to keep them from a playoff run.

Baltimore locks up the 6th seed joining the 5th seeded Broncos as the AFC Wild Card representatives.

Just Sayin'...