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NFL Week 15: Which Teams Are Looking Playoff Bound (And Who’s Headed Out)?

By Toni Matthews

From the archive: published Dec 14, 2014, 11 years ago. Details may have changed since.

Do you have a clear NFL playoff picture in mind?

If so, you’re either heavily optimistic or a blatant liar. Even in the depressingly terrible NFC South, nothing is completely sorted. It’s very clear that the playoffs will not be completely sorted until the final game of regular season play.

As such, that leaves NFL fans and fantasy football fanatics enough time to speculate heavily as to which teams will feature in the playoffs and who is headed home.

Without question, the playoff dream is already over for the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Washington Redskins. Even so, there’s still a chance for them to have a say in who else will make it to the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the god-awful season for the NFC South drags on, with the abysmal Carolina Panthers taking it upon themselves to finally put the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of their misery. Until fairly recently, the Bucs could very well have had a chance at a playoff spot. Yes, I’m talking about a 2-12 team, but what can I say? It’s been one heck of a crazy football season.

As such, the playoffs are bound to be exciting… even with one lousy team destined to make it into post-season as better teams go home.

The fact that any of the teams in this division had a chance of featuring in the playoffs disturbing. The fact that one team will inevitably head to the playoffs is mildly alarming. It’s possible the Atlanta Falcons or the New Orleans Saint could stun their playoff opponents.

As for which team will likely make it to the playoffs, I wouldn’t put it past the Panthers to steal the division from the both of them. The New England Patriots are a given to both make the playoffs and clinch their division. No one else in the AFC East even came close to challenging their dominance. Only the Arizona Cardinals enjoyed a better regular season performance.

For now, only the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers join these two teams as the real standouts of the 2014 season, with their places in the playoffs practically assured.

Aside from the fates of these few teams, the playoff picture is by and large a murky one. For instance, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles continue their tug of war over the NFC East. It’s a matter that may not be settled even after the Eagles host the Cowboys on Sunday evening.

Whichever team fails to clinch the division will be at the mercy of poor performances by the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. This is terrible news, as both the Lions and Seahawks seem to be finding their footing.

The Dallas Cowboys have the reputation of imploding late in the season and ruining their playoff chances. As such, the Eagles will probably be the more likely team to see playoff action.

I predict the Seattle Seahawks will join them, no doubt motivated by the chance to prove their Super Bowl win was no fluke.

Which teams still left in contention for a playoff spot do you think will make it? Which NFC hopeful will likely miss out on the playoffs?

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