2022 NFL Playoff Picture: Which Teams Will Make It
With the inaugural season of the newly implemented 18 regular-season game schedule coming to an end this week, we are still waiting for the last few teams to clinch a playoff spot. Usually, the last week of the season provides us with mediocre matchups, but we should still get some fireworks this week as there are playoffs sports and seedings to be decided. Below I will give my prediction on how the playoff field will shape up.
A total of 14 teams will make the playoffs, seven from each conference. The No. 1 seed in each conference will receive a bye in the Wild Card round. The remaining division champions in each conference will be seeded 2, 3, and 4 by their record, followed by the three wild card teams per conference with the best overall records seeded 5, 6, and 7.
Wild Card weekend starts off the NFL PLayoff chaos with six total games. Two wild card games are on Saturday (4:35 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. ET), three on Sunday (1:05 p.m., 4:40 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. ET), and one on Monday (8:15 p.m. ET).
For everyone betting on the NFL playoffs, these are some of my picks for the NFL divisions:
AFC Playoff Predictions
As of January 6th, 5 teams have clinched a playoff spot. Titans, Chiefs, Bengals, Bills, and Patriots all have their tickets punched to play for the Lombardi Trophy, leaving two available spots. Below is how I see the AFC Picture looking after week 18.
- Tennessee Titans (South Division Winner)
- Kansas City Chiefs (West Division Winner)
- Cincinnati Bengals (North Division Winner)
- Buffalo Bills (East Division Winner)
- New England Patriots (Wild Card)
- Indianapolis Colts (Wild Card)
- Los Angeles Chargers (Wild Card)
Like I mentioned earlier, the Titans, Chiefs, Bengals, Bills, and Patriots already have clinched a spot. The Colts and Chargers control their destiny, they win their week 18 game, and they are in. While both the Colts and Chargers are the favorites this week, it may not be a cake-walk for either one of these teams.
The Chargers are three-point favorites against their division foe Las Vegas Raiders. Chargers beat the Raiders 28-14 back in October but have lost 2 of their last 3 games; they are not exactly playing their best football at the moment. I still think the Chargers are overall the better team and get this win book their ticket to Wild Card Weekend/
As for the Colts, they are 16-point favorites against their division for Jacksonville Jaguars. That may seem like a lock, but if you look back at the history of this matchup, the Colts have lost six straight games against these Jags in Jacksonville. Despite having a history against them, this Colts team is way too good to make it seven straight losses in Jacksonville. Indianapolis gets the win and heads to the postseason.
The Steelers, Raiders, and Ravens all still have a shot at making the playoffs but need a lot of help from other teams to make it. See all the playoff scenarios for week 18 at CBSSports.com
NFC Playoff Predictions
The NFC playoff picture is a little more clear than the AFC. All but one spot has already been decided in the NFC. The last spot will come down to the San Francisco 49ers and/or New Orleans Saints.
By the end of week 18, this is how I see NFC seedings playing out.
- Green Bay Packers (North Division Winner)
- Los Angeles Rams (West Division Winner)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (South Division Winner)
- Dallas Cowboys (East Division Winner)
- Arizona Cardinals (Wild Card)
- San Francisco 49ers (Wild Card)
- Philadelphia Eagles (Wild Card)
The 49ers playoff scenario looks like this:
- SF win or Tire OR
- Saints loss or tie
Week 18 opponent: @ Rams
The Saints playoff scenario looks like this:
- Saints win + 49ers loss
Week 18 opponent: @ Falcons
I have the 49ers losing to the Rams as the Rams will be motivated to lock up the West division title with a win. Even with the loss to the Rams, I still predict the 49ers making the playoffs because I also have the Saints losing to the Atlanta Falcons this week which will officially knock the Saints out of the playoffs.
Week 18 still has some meaning behind it, and if we get lucky, maybe we have some fireworks. If Indianapolis still can’t figure out how to win in Jacksonville and lose their seventh straight down in Florida, then if the Raider and Chargers game end in a tie, both AFC west teams will win the last 2 playoff sports.
Maybe a couple of division foes team up and guarantee each team a trip to the playoffs. How likely is that? Very unlikely, but you never know, I have seen stranger things happen. Until then, enjoy week 18 and buckle up for fun Wild Card Weekend.
Kurt Blakeway – Sporting Betting Analyst
Kurt is a Sports Betting Analyst for Safest Betting Sites. He enjoys all things MLB, NFL, CFB, and CBB. While he is a fan first, he is always trying to gain an edge on the books to make money.
