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NFL Notebook, Week 14: Playoff predictions, Tom Brady’s struggles and more

By Zach Cohen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after kicking the game winning field goal during a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after kicking the game winning field goal during a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 8: Lorenzo Alexander #57 of the Buffalo Bills dives to make a tackle on Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens as he runs the ball during the first quarter at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 8: Lorenzo Alexander #57 of the Buffalo Bills dives to make a tackle on Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens as he runs the ball during the first quarter at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

One Last Thing

I simulated the rest of the NFL season using ESPN’s NFL Playoff Machine, and here’s what the postseason will look like according to my game predictions.

AFC

1. Baltimore (14-2)
2. New England (13-3)
3. Kansas City (12-4)
4. Houston (11-5)
5. Buffalo (11-5)
6. Pittsburgh (9-7)

Just missed: Tennessee, Indianapolis, Oakland

NFC

1. Seattle (13-3)
2. Green Bay (13-3)
3. New Orleans (13-3)
4. Dallas (8-8)
5. San Fransisco (13-3)
6. Minnesota (11-5)

Just missed: Los Angeles, Philadelphia

I noticed I was pretty conservative with my predictions, as I mostly projected the top teams to win out. Clearly, that will not be the case as teams will rest players, injuries will occur, etc. It’s frivolous to project which starters will rest, so I assumed each team was at their full capacity.

As an added bonus, here’s what the draft order would look like using Tankathon’s Strength of Schedule:

  1. Cincinnati (1-15)
  2. Giants (2-14)
  3. Jacksonville (4-12)
  4. Washington (4-12)
  5. Detroit (4-11-1)
  6. Arizona (4-11-1)
  7. Jets (5-11)
  8. Miami (5-11)
  9. Carolina (5-11)
  10. Tampa Bay (6-10)

Next. 20 Bold predictions for NFL Week 15. dark

Whether or not that’s how the NFL Playoffs or the draft order plays out, though, will be left up to what happens over the final three weeks on the field.

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