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2017 NFL Predictions: Division winners, playoff standings, etc.

By Keith Rivas

Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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AFC Playoff Predictions – First Round

Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates after a touchdown with wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the first half of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) celebrates after a touchdown with wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during the first half of a preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Before we go into the predictions, here are the six teams from the AFC that I see making it to the playoffs (by seed):

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-5)
  2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)
  3. New York Jets (11-5)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)

       WC 1.  Oakland Raiders (11-5)

       WC 2. New England Patriots (10-6)

Wild Card weekend is bound to intriguing this season, as it has the potential to have Tom Brady & Co. in the mix due to his early season suspension.

In this set of predictions, New England sneaks in as the sixth seed and sets themselves up for a date with the Jets in the Meadowlands.

It’s a new type of playoff run for the Patriots, who in this case won’t have a single home game to their advantage if they want to represent the conference in the Super Bowl again.

In the second wild card game, two teams will be fighting for the chance to finally stop being part of the laughingstock of professional football.

Jacksonville would be hosting the game, but Oakland would be coming into the match up with a much better record and, considering the strength of their divisional tests throughout the season, much more confidence.

This season will show signs of life for the Jaguars, but it won’t answer all of their questions or concerns about their playoff drought.

For Oakland, however, this year is the real deal.

Pittsburgh and Kansas City will be getting the first-round bye.

AFC First Round Predictions:

Jets 17, Patriots 13

Raiders 31, Jaguars 14

Next: AFC Playoff Predictions - Second Round

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