Tweet to win tickets to this weekend's game! »

Go to TroysTickets to learn more.

Mid-Season Playoff Predictions

Now that we’re halfway through the season, it’s time to make some predictions on who will make it to the playoffs. We’ve got a good idea about where some divisions are headed. Other divisions, I’m less certain about than I was in Week 1. Nonetheless, here are the picks:

AFC

South: Houston Texans
Simply put, they are the best team in the division this year. I doubt many people will disagree. They may finally make their first playoff appearance thanks to a struggling Peyton-less Colts team.

North: Pittsburgh Steelers
I think the winner of next week’s game will be the winner of the division. Furthermore, I don’t think the Steelers will lose a second game to the Ravens, especially not at home. The Bengals are having one of the best seasons they’ve had in a long time, but I just don’t think they’ll fare too well against the Ravens or the Steelers.

East: Buffalo Bills
Bold? Yes. Plausible? Absolutely. They already have a win over the Patriots. That’s huge. And they don’t have an incredibly difficult schedule moving forward. The biggest game will be at New England in week 17. I can see them winning out until that game, but I can’t say the same about the Pats. The difference is the defense: Bills have it, Pats don’t.

West: Oakland Raiders
This pick is assuming Carson Palmer plays as well as expected. After Jason Campbell’s injury, I was sure the division would go to San Diego, but I’m not so sure now. The Chargers seem to struggle through each game; they’re plagued with injuries, and Rivers just isn’t having a Rivers-like season. This division is Oakland’s if they want it.

Wildcard: Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots

NFC

South: New Orleans Saints
This division seems all-around weaker than usual. The Saints, Bucs, and Falcons all seem to be losing some games they should win. That being said, I still see the Saints coming out on top with the Bucs and Falcons close behind. I’m thinking 10 or 11 wins tops.

North: Green Bay Packers
Nobody should be surprised here. After a mediocre regular season last year, they have been absolutely on fire since the playoffs. For a while I was thinking the Lions would upset them for the division title, but now that the Lions have 2 losses, I’m doubting that hunch. I do believe the Lions will beat the Packers in at least one of their matchups, but won’t have the most wins come the playoffs.

East: Philadelphia Eagles
I’m less confident in this pick than any other. All the teams are so inconsistent. This division will come down to the last couple weeks. The Eagles seem fired up going into the second half of the season, so I’m picking them. The Giants have a more difficult schedule, and the Cowboys are just too unpredictable. The Redskins have the same record as the Cowboys and Eagles right now, but I just don’t see them finishing above .500

West: San Francisco 49ers
This is one of the biggest break-out teams of the season. And if you have a break-out season in a division as weak as the NFC West, the division is yours.

Wildcard: Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons

Feel free to reblog/reply with your own predictions!