We saw the Texans beat the Colts last night in the first game of this weekend’s NFL lineup and what a spectacle that was. There are more battles to come this Sunday, and now is an opportunity to look at who will make the postseason. There are five games to go in this years NFL regular season, and after the next set of fixtures, we will have a much shorter list of who could make it to the playoffs.
The Headlines
This week we will look at the group leaders in the AFC and NFC and give you our predictions on who will make the postseason and who could still miss out. Let’s delve into that a little deeper right now.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have won the Super Bowl in three of the last five seasons in the NFL, and have been dominant so far this year. They are the current holders of the Vince Lombardi trophy and the favorites to retake the prize this year. The other teams can find hope in the fact that the Patriots have not won the contest back to back since 2005. We predict them making the playoffs with ease this season.
Our prediction IN - Back the New England to make the NFL Postseason
Kansas City Chiefs
You have to go back to 1970 to find the last time the Chiefs won the Super Bowl. This season has been an impressive one so far. They lead the AFC West by the tightest of margins, and the Raiders are in hot pursuit in second. The Chiefs need to sort out their form at home if they want to maintain the top spot. We are backing them to slip up and finish second behind the Raiders.
Our prediction OUT - We're backing the Oakland Raiders to win the crucial fixture against the Kansas City Chiefs and causing the Chiefs to miss out on the postseason
Baltimore Ravens
What a season it has been so far for the Ravens. They are one of our outside picks to go all the way this season, and their performances have been fantastic. The Ravens last took the prize in 2013, and if Lamar Jackson can keep playing at his current level, they should cruise into the postseason. The Steelers have no chance of catching up in the AFC North.
Our prediction IN - Back the Baltimore Ravens for the NFL Postseason
Houston Texans
Their win against the Colts on Friday has made it hard to bet against the Texans for that automatic playoff spot. They are the team chasing, and this result has put them firmly in the driving seat in the AFC South. If they can avoid a disastrous end to the season, it’s hard to see the Colts coming back and overtaking them for the top spot.
Our prediction IN - Houston Texans will make this season's NFL Postseason
Dallas Cowboys
One of the surprise packages of the year, the Cowboys find themselves in first place. The NFC East is not the most challenging division in the NFL, but you can only finish ahead of those in your division. The Cowboys are passing that test with flying colors. We predict they will make the playoffs as the Eagles have dropped off the pace.
Our prediction IN - Back the Dallas Cowboys all the way to make this year's Postseason
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been one of the best teams all season in the NFL. They held the record for the longest undefeated stretch before going down to division rivals, the Seahawks. That game now looks like a blip, and they continue to march toward end of season glory. The Seahawks could still catch them, though, such is the competitiveness of the NFC West. We are backing them to win the division and make the playoffs.
Our prediction IN- We are backing the San Francisco 49ers to make this year's NFL Postseason
Green Bay Packers
There’s work to do for the Packers as they approach a pivotal game this weekend. They face the 49ers, and defeat for either side could see them slip down to second place. Hot on their tails are the Vikings who they will play in Game Week 15. We predict the Vikings will overtake the Packers as they have too many potential losses still to come this NFL season.
Our prediction OUT - We see too many losses on the horizon for the Packers and feel they might miss out
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are 8-2 for the season. That puts them so far ahead of their nearest rivals that they have almost made it to the playoffs already. New Orleans last won the Super Bowl back in 2010 and have been quietly producing one of the best season records in the NFL this year. Another two or three wins and they can relax. We are not betting against them making it, and they are already nailed on for the playoffs.
Our prediction IN - New Orleans Saints to keep their good run going and make the Postseason
The Verdict
That’s the breakdown of the latest headlines for the top-performing teams in the NFL. There is a good chance everyone on the list above can make it to the postseason, but some of them could slip up and miss automatic progression to the business end of the NFL. We will be back next week with our game reviews and predictions for these matchups. Keep your eyes peeled for the next installment.
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