Predicting every NFL playoff seed now that Week 12 is in the books

There are just five weeks left in the regular season, and as we come down the final stretch the playoff picture will become both clearer at the top and murkier toward the bottom. Teams like the Buccaneers and Dolphins have shaken up the standings as far as wild-card berths go, vaulting their names into the playoff discussion.

While we know what the seeding would look like if the playoffs were to begin right now, they don't begin now and there are still five weeks of football left. That leaves plenty room for predicting what everything will look like come January 2.

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The Cowboys are 10-1, boast the best record in football and have a two-game cushion for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Strangely enough, their cushion is over the division-rival Giants, who are somehow 8-3. The Cowboys will finish strong with at least 13 wins and lock up home-field advantage in the NFC. Their schedule is tough, but they’re built for December football.

Remaining schedule: @MIN, @NYG, TB, DET, PHI

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The Seahawks are a bit of a question mark from week to week after failing to score 10 points three times this season. However, despite looking like a team half-asleep against the Buccaneers last weekend, they’re still the second-best squad in the NFC. Their schedule isn’t exactly daunting, and they’ll do enough to earn a first-round bye in the playoffs. Russell Wilson will get the offense back on track and the defense will continue to play well.

Remaining schedule: CAR, @GB, LA, ARI, @SF

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The Falcons looked like they might be in for a lull against the Cardinals, but the offense was firing on all cylinders as it has been all year. Atlanta still has gaping holes on defense, particularly at cornerback with Desmond Trufant out, but the offense is good enough to carry it to a division title and the third seed in the NFC.

Remaining schedule: KC, @LA, SF, @CAR, NO

I just don’t see the Vikings or Packers unseating the Lions atop the North. Green Bay is far too inconsistent and doesn’t pose much of a threat to teams with strong offenses, and Minnesota doesn’t scare anyone offensively. The Lions have their issues, such as the lack of a running game, but Matthew Stafford is playing lights out and carrying the team.

Remaining schedule: @NO, CHI, @NYG, @DAL, GB

The Giants could easily finish 11-5 or 12-4 and still be the No. 4 seed thanks to the Cowboys’ stellar season. They’re not a lock for a wild-card berth, but at 8-3 it’s hard to imagine them missing the playoffs. They’ll need a few signature wins down the stretch to further prove they’re worthy of being a Super Bowl contender, but even without one, they’ll make it to the playoffs.

Remaining schedule: @PIT, DAL, DET, @PHI, @WAS

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Here’s where things get tricky. The Packers could get on a hot streak and bump the Redskins from the playoffs. The Vikings or Buccaneers could also do the same, but the Redskins are the most consistent team of the bunch and will sneak into the playoffs. Kirk Cousins is playing like a Pro Bowler and will carry his team to enough victories in the final five games.

Remaining Schedule: @ARI, @PHI, CAR, CHI, NYG

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The Patriots are currently tied for the best record in the AFC. The Raiders are the second team at 9-2, but New England is far more complete on both sides of the ball. The Patriots’ schedule is a bit easier than Oakland’s to finish the season, and I think the Patriots will win four of their last five to finish 13-3 and nab the top seed in the conference. If this does happen, the rest of the AFC should be very wary of the path they have to take to the Super Bowl with everything going through Foxborough.

Remaining schedule: LA, BAL, @DEN, NYJ, @MIA

The Raiders have been the biggest surprise of 2016 with a stellar 9-2 record. They’re essentially a lock to make the playoffs, it just comes down to where they’ll be seeded. Their biggest competition in the AFC comes via their own division rivals with the Chiefs and Broncos hot on their heels. Their meetings with those teams in the final four weeks will determine their outcome.

Remaining schedule: BUF, @KC, @SD, IND, @DEN

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The Steelers don’t currently hold a playoff berth, but they’re better than the Ravens and that will show in the coming weeks. They’ll surpass Baltimore in the AFC South and make the postseason thanks to Ben Roethlisberger and their high-powered offense. In December, Roethlisberger is 34-14 with a passer rating of 93.4, proving he knows how to get it done when it matters most.

Remaining schedule: NYG, @BUF @CIN, BAL, CLE

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The Titans are the best team in a really bad AFC South. The Texans are terrible offensively and the Colts can’t be trusted, even with Andrew Luck playing like a Pro Bowler. The Titans are hitting their stride and will finish with a better record than the Texans, getting them into the playoffs. With the way Marcus Mariota, DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry are playing, Tennessee is a scary team right now. It just needs to play better in the secondary.

Remaining schedule: BYE, DEN, @KC, @JAX, HOU

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The Chiefs got a huge win over the Broncos this weekend, moving them ahead of Denver in the AFC West. That by no means seals their case as a playoff team, but it definitely helps their chances. They’ll need to hold off the resurgent Dolphins and Broncos again, which I think they will. Justin Houston adds a new element to the defense, and Eric Berry is once again playing like an All-Pro at safety.

Remaining schedule: @ATL, OAK, TEN, DEN, @SD

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The last playoff spot in the AFC will likely come down to the Broncos and Dolphins. Miami currently has the edge thanks to a tie-breaker, but things will change between now and January 1. The Dolphins still have to play the Ravens, Cardinals, Bills and Patriots, none of which is a guaranteed win. The Broncos’ schedule isn’t any easier, but they’re the better all-around team, particularly on defense.

Remaining schedule: @JAX, @TEN, NE, @KC, OAK

Getty ImagesDoug Pensinger