This weekend I analyzed every remaining game for the playoff contenders to come up with what I think is the most likely seeding and playoff results. I treated 17th week games, where many teams that have clinched playoff spots rest their starters, just like regular games, favoring the stronger team.

AFC Seeding:

  1. Tennessee (15-1)
  2. New York Jets (12-4)
  3. Pittsburgh (11-5)
  4. Baltimore (11-5)
  5. Miami (9-7)
  6. Denver (9-7)

NFC Seeding:

  1. New York Giants (14-2)
  2. Tampa Bay (13-3)
  3. Atlanta (11-5)
  4. Arizona (11-5)
  5. Carolina (10-6)
  6. Green Bay (10-6)

Playoff Results:

Wild Card Round:

Denver @ Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh wins

Green Bay @ Atlanta, Atlanta wins

Miami @ Baltimore, Baltimore wins

Carolina @ Arizona, Carolina wins

Division Round:

Pittsburgh @ New York Jets, Pittsburgh wins

Baltimore @ Tennessee, Tennessee wins

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay wins

Carolina @ New York Giants, New York Giants win

Conference Championships:

Pittsburgh @ Tennessee, Tennessee wins

Tampa Bay @ New York Giants, New York Giants win

Super Bowl XLIII: Giants beat the Titans, 30-21.

Also, I have chosen the five best remaining games in the NFL schedule:

  1. Pittsburgh @ Tennessee, 1 PM, December 21
  2. New York Giants @ Dallas, 8:15 PM, December 14
  3. Dallas @ Pittsburgh, 4:15 PM today, December 7
  4. Pittsburgh @ Baltimore, 4:15 PM, December 14
  5. Baltimore @ Dallas, 8:15 PM, December 20