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Predicting Every Seed In 2015 NFL Playoffs

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By @ConnorFultonRS

Predicting Every Seed In 2015 NFL Playoffs

Tom Brady New England Patriots
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Even though it’s almost Thanksgiving, there is still a lot to be figured out in the remaining regular season games. The Oakland Raiders are the only team that has been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs; and everyone else is still in it. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the seedings and first-round matchups will be in January.

AFC Top Seeds

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

AFC Top Seeds

Rob Gronkowski New England Patriots
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

1. New England Patriots
2. Kansas City Chiefs

If the last six weeks have taught us anything, it’s that the Patriots are the class of the AFC. They’ve defeated each of the other three divisional leaders (Cincinnati, Denver and Indianapolis). The Chiefs knocked off the defending Super Bowl champs on Sunday, showcasing their legitimacy in the entire NFL landscape, and will surpass a limping Broncos team down the stretch.

AFC Wild Card Game #1

Isaiah Crowell Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

AFC Wild Card Game #1

Isaiah Crowell Cleveland Browns
Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

3. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 6. Cleveland Browns

How fitting; the last time the Browns made the playoffs, after posting a 9-7 record in 2002, they lost in the Wild Card round to the Steelers. The Steelers will ride Ben Roethlisberger’s arm and Antonio Brown’s hands into January, while the Browns will benefit from the return of Josh Gordon regardless of who is playing quarterback.

AFC Wild Card Game #2

Peyton Manning Denver Broncos
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

AFC Wild Card Game #2

Peyton Manning Denver Broncos
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

4. Indianapolis Colts vs. 5. Denver Broncos

While both of these teams were exposed in Week 11, you can’t write either of them off right now. The Colts will fend off the Houston Texans, who currently are .500 and threatening to unseat Indy, and the Broncos will outlast the San Diego Chargers as the season winds down. The Andrew Luck-Peyton Manning rivalry will gain a new layer in January.

NFC Top Seeds

Drew Stanton Arizona Cardinals
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

NFC Top Seeds

Drew Stanton Arizona Cardinals
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

1. Arizona Cardinals
2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers will win every remaining regular season game but the one against New England in Week 13, and that will be the difference between these NFC powerhouses. Expect the Cardinals to drop a few games between now and the New Year, but to hold on to the top spot in the NFC.

NFC Wild Card Game #1

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

NFC Wild Card Game #1

Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

3. Dallas Cowboys vs. 6. Detroit Lions

Having two of the best skill players in the game, DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant, will power the Cowboys to the NFC East title. The Lions will squeeze into the tournament ahead of the 49ers and Seahawks thanks to a soft three-game home stretch (Chicago, Tampa Bay and Minnesota). Losses to New England and Green Bay will slide the Lions down to the last seed.

NFC Wild Card Game #2

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

NFC Wild Card Game #2

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

4. New Orleans Saints vs. 5. Philadelphia Eagles

The Saints will be the first team since the 2010 Seahawks to enter the playoffs with a losing record. Their opponent will be an Eagles team that will have bumped down to a wild card seed by virtue of tiebreakers with the Cowboys. These teams met in the Wild Card last year, and the outcome won’t be the same this time.

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