AFC WEST
Denver 14-2. As long as we keep Manning healthy, I don't see how we lose the division (and the #1 seed, for that matter) to anyone else in the AFC. I do see us losing one more game by either KC/NE or maybe we drop the last game of the season after we've locked up the #1 seed and don't want to risk injury to the starters.
Kansas City 12-4. They're a good team, but they were finally exposed last week. They have a great defense and a good running game, but they don't have the offensive firepower to make a deep playoff run. They're going to be playing either CIN/NE/IND and those teams have enough power to overcome the Chiefs defense.
San Diego 7-9. Solid team, but the remainder of their schedule is tough. I know we all had mixed feelings on McCoy as our OC, but he's really proven to have a midas touch with QB's. Whether he sticks with Rivers or not remains to be seen, but he'll keep that team competitive.
Oakland 6-10. Better than I thought they'd be this year. Allen deserves one more year to get things worked out in Oakland. Despite their improvements, they have to find a QB if they're going to compete with any other team in our division.
AFC NORTH
Cincinnati 10-6. Despite their erratic play, they have enough of a lead in that division to coast their way to a title. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I think Cincinnati is our toughest competition in the AFC this year. When they're firing on all cylinders, they're a scary team.
Baltimore 7-9. They're not the same team as last year. They simply lost too many key players and their remaining key guys haven't stepped up enough to save the team. It looks like the Flacco deal was a big mistake.
Cleveland 7-9. You gotta give them credit, this team is scrappy. Everybody thought they were tanking the season after trading Trent Richardson, but that trade is looking better every day for the Browns. They have a good group of players in Cleveland and they only need a few more pieces to be a serious contender.
Pittsburgh 6-10. I called it early in the season and I'm staying with this prediction. The Steelers aren't a good team right now and I think they're kidding themselves if they think that keeping an aging, beat up Roethlisberger is better for the long-term than dealing him and getting a young guy in the draft next off-season.
AFC South
Indy 11-5. This team is talented and most importantly, YOUNG. They're developing a great young core of players that can be around for a long time with the Colts. By virtue of having a great QB and being in a horrific division, they walk away with the South title and the #2 seed in the AFC.
Tennessee 6-10. They had a chance this year. They had a good chance to make a playoff run and injuries(and inconsistencies) have blown that chance. I don't know what to think of them because they don't know what to do with themselves. I could see this team going either way. Start over or give it another year? That's the big dilemma for the Titans.
Houston 4-12. What a disappointment they were. My prediction for this team- They clean house of the coaching staff, bring in a high profile coach(Cowher, Gruden, college guy, etc) and use their first pick to get a QB. This team can do what Indy did a few years ago. If they can find a good QB, this team can be back in the playoffs next year.
Jacksonville 2-14. They look awful, but I like the coach and GM they have now. Their situation is similar to the one in Detroit a few years ago. This team needs time to build a new culture and core group of players. Firing coaches after one year won't help that.
AFC East
New England 11-5. They will most likely win that division (shocker) and be the #3 seed. Despite their placing, I'm not convinced this team is a serious playoff threat this year.
Buffalo 9-7. THIS is my shocker pick. I know I'm going to get shit for this, but look at their remaining schedule. They come back from their bye week to play a disappointed Falcons team AT HOME. After that game, their next two games are against the two worst teams in the league in the Jags and Bucs. They then play an erratic Dolphins team at home (think about it, warm weather team travels to Buffalo in the middle of December with a banged up offensive line going against a fierce pass rush and a team that can run the ball very well). They finish the season at New England, but you have to consider by that time, New England will probably have their playoff seed determined and knowing full well that if Buffalo wins, they will play them the following week in Foxboro, so why "show your cards" and play your starters against a hungry Bills team? Judging by their schedule, I think Buffalo can go on a roll and get that #6 seed in the AFC. There's such a mash up of teams vying for that #6 seed right now and all of them have their flaws, but you'd have to think that Buffalo's chances are as good as anybody's right now.
New York 8-8. Better than I thought they'd be, but Geno's too inconsistent this year. They'll find a way to back into the playoffs or blow their chances, but I don't see them rallying to a playoff spot.
Miami 6-10. Yeah, not much to say about the team right now.
AFC PLAYOFF SEEDINGS
1.Denver
2.Indy
3.NE
4.CIN
5.KC
6.BUF
NFC WEST
Seattle 14-2. I'm not scared of many teams, but damn Seattle is a scary matchup for us. Fortunately, we'd play them on a neutral field for the Super Bowl instead of Seattle.
San Fran 10-6. They've had their ups and downs, but they'll get in the playoffs.
Arizona 8-8. Considering the division their in, this team should not be this good. Bruce Arians really is a hell of a coach.
St. Louis 6-10. Injuries really sunk their playoff chances.
NFC NORTH
Detroit 10-6. The win the North, but not without some help.
Chicago 8-8. Solid team and very good coach, but they gotta figure out the QB situation.
Green Bay 8-8. Rodgers doesn't get injured, this division is a different story.
Minnesota 3-13. They were paper tigers last year and it's obvious this year. They're letting some great talent go to waste in Minnesota.
NFC SOUTH
NO 12-4. They'll keep pace and win the division, but I don't know if they'll be the last team standing in this division by season's end.
Carolina 11-5. They're on a roll right now and if there's a wild card team that can make a super bowl run this year, it looks like it'll be the Panthers.
Atlanta 5-11. What happened? Wow
Tampa Bay 3-13. Not much to say about them. They'll probably get a new coach.
NFC EAST
Philly 9-7. Foles is on fire right now and all they need to do is keep pace to win this division.
NY 8-8. Giants will finish strong, but they'll fall short.
Dallas 7-9. Same old story in Dallas. Start strong, wimper at the finish.
Washington 5-11. Shanny might get the axe. They're not looking good right now.
NFC PLAYOFF SEEDINGS
1.Seattle
2.NO
3.Detroit
4.Philly
5.Carolina
6.San Francisco