We are only a couple of weeks away from the NFL postseason and with roughly 24 teams still alive, we have an exciting finish on our hands. There are four spots already accounted for, that being the Chiefs, Steelers, Packers, and Saints. This leaves 10 spots for 20 teams, which can only lead to chaos and our subsequent enjoyment.

But how exactly will the rest of the season play out? I’m going to attempt to answer this question, but obviously, I won’t be perfect.

I’ll go week by week, giving my thoughts about the game with a brief description and winner. After that, I’ll lay out the playoff picture as I see it.

I’m using NFL Playoff Predictor to simulate the rest of the season, so whatever the outcome ends up being is 100% backed.

Let’s kick it off with week 15.

NFL Week 15

First, we start in week 15, where every single game this week has serious playoff implications, so I’ll be covering all of them.

Chargers vs. Raiders – Raiders win, but it’s close.

Bills vs. Broncos – If the Bills play the rest of the season like they did Sunday night, they’ll be in great shape, so the Bills win confidently.

Texans vs. Colts – The Colts win this game, but the finish of the week 13 game lingers in my head as a possible upset.

Patriots vs. Dolphins – The Dolphins defense smothers Cam Newton and the Patriots offense winning by two scores.

Jaguars vs. Ravens – Ravens big.

Steelers vs. Bengals – Coming off a two-game skid, the Steelers rebound against a down-on-their-luck Bengals team.

Browns vs. Giants – This feels like a trap game for the Browns, but the Giants’ offensive line was horrendous against the Cardinals’ pass rush. The Browns have a very similar pass rush in terms of production, but more talented, in my opinion. Browns win, but closer than expected.

Jets vs. Rams – Rams.

Lions vs. Titans – We have a recipe for disaster here. The Lions rush defense is the fourth-worst in the NFL, while the Titans have Derrick Henry. Titans big.

Chiefs vs. Saints – If the Saints had Drew Brees I would think about this more, but I don’t think Taysom Hill can keep up with this team for four quarters. Chiefs by two scores.

Buccaneers vs. Falcons – The Falcons opposing QBR is 104 and they can’t rush the quarterback very well, which means Buccs win behind a good day from Tom Brady.

Seahawks vs. Football Team – I don’t know the severity of Alex Smith’s injury, but I don’t think it matters who’s at QB for Washington. Their defense is one of the best in football, so I think they surprise the Seahawks, winning by 10.

Panthers vs. Packers – Green Bay is 10-1 against teams with a losing record, so let’s make it 11-1.

Bears vs. Vikings – I can’t really explain why, but I like the Bears in this game. Mitchell Trubisky is coming off one of the best games in his career and the Vikings’ defense is not good at rushing the passer or stopping the pass. I like the Bears in this one.

Eagles vs. Cardinals – Both teams are coming off huge wins, the Eagles win being much more impressive. The Cardinals are coming off a game where they recorded eight sacks, while the Eagles offense is fresh off their first game this year without a sack. It’ll be interesting to see which one gives, but I think the Cardinals’ offense finds its footing early and wins it.

49ers vs. Cowboys – The Niners have an outside shot at the postseason and they stay alive against a terrible Cowboys defense.

NFL Week 16

Next, we get into week 16 where there are fewer games that matter, so I’ll only be picking for the ones that do.

Browns vs. Jets – Browns.

Dolphins vs. Raiders – I’m a huge fan of the Dolphins’ defense and I just don’t trust the Raiders to be at their best, so give me the ‘Phins

Colts vs. Steelers – The Colts defense is good and the Steelers offense at the moment is not, so I think this smells of a Colts W.

Bills vs. Patriots – Give me the Bills in a close one, which is only close because of Bill Belichick and his masterful coaching.

Falcons vs. Chiefs – The Falcons are not good against the pass as I said earlier, and the Chiefs passing attack is the best in the NFL, so Chiefs big.

Bears vs. Jaguars – Bears win easily.

Giants vs. Ravens – This is another one of those games where I just have a feeling. I think this is a trap game for the Ravens and the Giants’ defense does just enough to win.

Titans vs. Packers – This game to me is a complete toss-up. It’ll come down to whether or not the Packers can stop Derrick Henry. I tend to lean towards they can’t, so I’m taking the Titans here.

Vikings vs. Saints – Even after losing two in a row, I think the Saints win this one against a team they’ve had trouble with, in the playoffs.

49ers vs. Cardinals – I think this game is another close one. These teams last played in week one of the season, a game in which the Cards won. I think this time, however, the 49ers win behind a great defensive performance.

Panthers vs. Football Team – Washington stays hot with another win.

Buccaneers vs. Lions – Similarly to the week 15 game against the Falcons, the Lions can’t rush the passer and aren’t very good against the pass, so the Buccaneers win by at least two scores.

Rams vs. Seahawks – This Rams defense looks scary good and I think they keep up their winning ways in this crucial game against the Seahawks.

NFL Week 17

Teams are now playing for their livelihood, so who sneaks into the playoffs?

Ravens vs. Bengals – The Ravens couldn’t have asked for a better team to face in this must-win week 17. The Ravens come out on top, needing a Dolphins loss to get in.

Steelers vs. Browns – The Browns look like the better team right now, so I think they come out on top.

Dolphins vs. Bills – Even though the Bills have the better record, I really like the Dolphins to give the Bills offense fits. Plus, the Dolphins are playing for a postseason birth, while the Bills are in no matter what.

Chargers vs. Chiefs – The Chiefs sit at 14-1 coming into this game with the one seed clinched. With that being the case, I think they sit their starters, and Justin Herbert balls out for a Chargers’ win.

Jaguars vs. Colts – This is the only team the Jaguars beat this year, however, I think the Colts get their revenge, winning this one easily.

Titans vs. Texans – Titans win this game against a free-falling Texans team.

Packers vs. Bears – Because this is an important game for the Packers for the one seed, they’ll win it handily.

Falcons vs. Buccaneers – There’s a chance the Falcon’s sneak a win in this game, but I just don’t think their defense is good enough to make it happen.

Football Team vs. Eagles – I might be too high on Washington’s hype train, but I think they finish the season riding a seven-game win streak. As a result, they cruise to a division title.

Saints vs. Panthers – This is another possible trap game, but I think the Saints are ready with a one seed on the line.

Seahawks vs. 49ers – The Seahawks manage to snap their losing streak with a week 17 win. This 49ers team has a shot at the playoffs with a win, but the Hawks are just too much.

Cardinals vs. Rams – The Rams are playing for a shot at the one seed, while the Cardinals are playing for their season. This game will mean a lot to both teams, but I think the Rams are just too good for the Cardinals.

The Final Picture

The AFC looks like this:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (14-2): Bye

2. Buffalo Bills (12-4) vs. 7. Miami Dolphins (11-5)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) vs. 6. Indianapolis Colts (12-4)

4. Tennessee Titans (12-4) vs. 5. Cleveland Browns (12-4)

The NFC looks like this:

1. Green Bay Packers (12-4): Bye

2. New Orleans Saints (12-4) vs. 7. Chicago Bears (8-8)

3. Los Angeles Rams (12-4) vs. 6. Seattle Seahawks (10-6)

4. Washington Football Team (9-7) vs. 5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)