If the NFL Playoffs Began Today …

Nov 10, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; General view of the NFL shield logo at midfield at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the completion of the 15th week of the 2013 NFL season there are just two weeks remaining in the season, meaning it is time for the annual “If the Playoffs Began Today” matchups.

The AFC has the usual suspects currently holding onto the first round byes with the Denver Broncos (11-3) at the No. 1 seed and the New England Patriots (10-4) as the No. 2 seed.

The current No. 3 seed in the AFC is the Cincinnati Bengals (9-5) as they would be facing the No. 6 seed Baltimore Ravens (8-6).

As for the other potential AFC matchup, the No. 4 seed would be the Indianapolis Colts (9-5) hosting the No. 5 seeded Kansas City Chiefs (11-3).

Over at the NFC, the top two seeds currently are the No. 1 seeded Seattle Seahawks (12-2) and the New Orleans Saints (10-4) with the No. 2 seed.

The Philadelphia Eagles (8-6) are currently the No. 3 seed in the NFC and they would host the No. 6 seeded San Francisco 49ers (10-4).

In the other NFC Wild Card matchup, the No. 4 seed would be the Chicago Bears (8-6) and they would host the No. 5 seeded Carolina Panthers (10-4).

With the “potential matchups” out of the way, I would be very interested in seeing the Chiefs and Colts game in the playoffs, and in the NFC I would be excited to watch a Panthers and Bears matchup.

Teams still in the hunt for the AFC include the following teams: Miami Dolphins (8-6) and the San Diego Chargers (7-7).

NFC teams still with a chance to earn a playoff birth are the Arizona Cardinals (9-5), Green Bay Packers (7-6-1), Detroit Lions (7-7) and Dallas Cowboys (7-7).

The Packers and Cowboys control their own destinies because if they were to win their final two games they would win their divisions and make the playoffs. So, those two teams are must watch football the final two weeks of the season.

My guess for the AFC … the Ravens won’t make the playoffs and the Dolphins will.

Miami has the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets remaining on their schedule (very winnable games), while the Bengals and Ravens play each other in the final game of the regular season, with more than likely the division title up for grabs.

In Week 16 the Bengals host the Minnesota Vikings and the Ravens host the Patriots. I’m picking the Patriots in that game. (I wouldn’t want to face an upset Tom Brady next week.)

In the NFC, I’m predicting the Cardinals won’t make the playoffs and the Bears will hold on to win the NFC North. That basically means I don’t see any changes in the NFC the final two weeks of the season.

I can’t predict the Cowboys to win any games in December that actually matter, but I predict they win next week against the Washington Redskins and lose to the Eagles in the season finale, costing them a division title and a playoff spot for the third consecutive season with a Week 17 loss.

The next two weeks should be exciting to see what occurs

I can’t wait.