What a time to be alive. The Cleveland Browns finally won a game, Super Bowl 50's champion Denver Broncos got eliminated from the playoffs and a lot of teams won their divisions. What’s next? The playoffs! So what are they looking like heading into the final week of the National Football League regular season? Let’s find out:
American Football Conference
1. New England Patriots (13-2) – After winning their division, they have a first round bye, and they have once again clinched a playoff berth. If there is a team to beat in the AFC, it’s the Pats.
2. Oakland Raiders (12-3) – They’ve already clinched a playoff berth, but with what happened on Dec. 24 with Derek Carr injuring his leg, out for at least six to eight weeks, I don’t see them going far in the playoffs.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) –They did it. They eliminated the Baltimore Ravens from the playoffs with their win on Dec. 25 and they clinched the AFC North. Watch out for them and for wide receiver Antonio Brown.
4. Houston Texans (9-6) – Possessing the No. 1 ranked defense, they clinched the AFC South title and playoff berth.
5. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) – Following the Raiders losing their star quarterback, Kansas City is looking really good for the divisional title. Next on their list is the San Diego Chargers, which is basically a win for them.
6. Miami Dolphins (10-5) – Ew, why are they here? Their quarterback is injured and last year they were the laughing stock of the AFC. Well, they have a spot in the playoffs, but don’t expect anything big from Miami.
National Football Conference
1. Dallas Cowboys (13-2) – Well, well, well ... here we are. Clinched home field advantage, clinched their division and clinched the first round bye. However, they haven’t really faced a good team except the Giants, where they lost twice. Expect them to go far in the playoffs and maybe onto Super Bowl 51 ... “WE DEM BOYZ.”
2. Atlanta Falcons (10-5) – It’s only December, so the playoffs are only a week or so away. Atlanta is known for choking in playoffs, so they won’t go anywhere in the playoffs.
3. Detroit Lions (9-6) – Next week is Green Bay vs. Detroit! That is the game to watch: if the Lions win, they win their division and if the Packers win, they win the divisional title. This game is America’s game of the week, in my eyes.
4. Seattle Seahawks (9-5) – Their defense isn’t what it used to be. Russell Wilson can be great with great accuracy. Other days, he throws interceptions. It’s a 50 percent chance that he’ll throw a pick in Week 16 and in the playoff as well.
5. New York Giants (10-5) – The inevitable was coming all season long. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is a beast. Their defense is going places, maybe even to the NFC Championship game.
6. Green Bay Packers (9-6) – See No. 3
