NFL Playoffs 2017: Predictions for Seeds & Matchups Week 16

With just weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, all eyes are on the NFL playoffs. Click here for a full rundown of the current NFL playoff picture. Heavy has crunched the numbers, looked at the remaining NFL schedule and put together our projections for the NFL Playoffs 2017 seeds and matchups. The first game will take place on Saturday, January 7th with an AFC/NFC double header. Sunday, January 8th will be part two of the Wild Card weekend matchups. Teams with a first round bye will not play until the January 14-15 weekend. A total of 12 playoff spots will be awarded with four first round byes split between the AFC and NFC. Heading into the stretch run, the Cowboys, Patriots, Raiders and Seahawks are the favorites to secure one of the top two seeds in their respective conferences. The AFC West offers one of the more intriguing playoff battles with the Chiefs, Raiders and Broncos fighting for a playoff spot. Oakland and Kansas City are fighting for both the division and a first round bye. The playoffs conclude with Super Bowl LI in Houston on Sunday, February 5. There's still plenty of football left to be played but here is how Heavy sees things playing out. Click the arrow on the right side of the above image to see Heavy's NFL Playoffs 2017 predictions. (Getty)

NFC: No. 6 Buccaneers vs. No. 3 Falcons

Projected Records: Falcons (11-5), Bucs (10-6)

Matchup: Heavy likes the Bucs to win their final two games to secure the final NFC playoff spot over the Lions who have the most difficult remaining schedule. If things play out like we project, Wild Card weekend would feature an NFC South showdown. The two teams have split their two games during the regular season. The Bucs won their Week 1 matchup in Atlanta 31-24. The Falcons won the last matchup in Week 9 43-28. All eyes would be on the Falcons offense against the Bucs defense as the key matchup in the game. Atlanta has the better record, but this is a different Tampa Bay team than the one that started the season. The Bucs are peaking at just the right time. (Getty)

AFC: No. 6 Dolphins vs. No. 3 Steelers

Projected Records: Steelers (11-5), Dolphins (10-6)

Matchup: Miami has a good chance of securing the final AFC playoff spot despite losing starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins offense has not skipped a beat with Matt Moore under center. This is an intriguing matchup as it features two of the hottest teams in the league. Both teams have caught fire late after being in danger of missing out on the playoffs. Miami dominated their mid-October matchup with a 30-15 home victory. Jay Ajayi rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 189 yards while throwing two interceptions and just one touchdown. This time, the Dolphins would have to go on the road into Pittsburgh for a matchup in inclement weather. It would be a much more challenging contest for Miami in one of the most difficult places to play in January. (Getty)

NFC: No. 5 Giants vs. No. 4 Packers

Projected Records: Packers (10-6), Giants (11-5)

Matchup: Heavy likes Green Bay's chances of winning out to secure the NFC North title. While the Giants would have the better record, the Packers would be the higher seed since they won their division and would get to host the game in Green Bay. This would be the matchup of opening weekend if it came to fruition. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are surging after being left for dead just a month ago. Meanwhile, the Giants offense is sputtering after a fast start. The Giants defense would need to slow down the Packers offense for New York to stay in the game. Green Bay came away with the 23-16 home victory when the two teams squared off in October. (Getty)

AFC: No. 5 Chiefs vs. No. 4 Texans

Projected Records: Texans (9-7), Chiefs (12-4)

Matchup: It would be an unfortunate turn for Kansas City fans as the Chiefs would go on the road since the Texans would be AFC South winners. We like the Texans to edge out the Titans given they have a better divisional record which would be part of the tiebreaker if the two teams finish with the same record. It would be a rematch of the 2016 playoffs where the Chiefs dominated the Texans 30-0. Houston got a bit of revenge with their 19-12 Week 2 victory. Kansas City still has a chance to win the AFC West and a first round bye but need the Raiders to slip up for them to go back on top of the division. (Getty)

Raiders & Seahawks Finish as the No. 2 Seeds

Projected Records: Raiders (13-3), Seahawks (11-4-1)

Matchup: While it is not the top seed, both fan bases would be excited to get a first round bye along with the right to host a second round playoff matchup. Oakland has taken a giant step forward and made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. They are not out of the woods yet, but if the Raiders can win their final two playoff games they will bring the playoffs back to Oakland after taking the first week of the postseason off. There's a lot to like about Derek Carr and the Raiders offense along with a young Oakland defense. For the Seahawks, they have been here before, but anytime they can get a chance to get a playoff game at home in front of the 12's it gives them a massive advantage. It has been an up and down season for Seattle. The Seahawks have battled injuries to Russell Wilson and poor offensive line play. While it's far from a done deal, an NFC championship featuring the Seahawks and Cowboys could be one for the ages. (Getty)

Patriots & Cowboys Win Top Seeds

Projected Records: Patriots (14-2), Cowboys (14-2)

Matchup: Dallas has already secured the number one seed in the NFC and will have home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Heavy likes the Patriots to do the same by winning their final two games. Both teams will enter the playoffs as favorites to square off in the Super Bowl. Things rarely go exactly as scripted in the playoffs, but it would be a dream matchup for the NFL as the teams are two of the more historic NFL franchises. The two teams last squared off in 2015 as the Patriots dominated the Cowboys 30-6. This is a much different Cowboys team and fans will be watching to see how the rookie duo will handle the bright lights of the playoffs. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott have passed every test so far, but the playoffs will be their biggest test yet. (Getty)