Which 8-7 team in the AFC will make the playoffs?

Andrea Kremer

New York Jets The toughest thing to decide is whether or not the Jets are going to beat the Packers because Green Bay has won four straight. They shut out Buffalo in horrendous weather conditions a week after beating San Francisco on the road. But if you subscribe to the theory that the team that needs it more will win, the Packers are already in the playoffs. The Jets need to win to make the playoffs. They have been playing solid football. Chad Pennington has been great. And the Jets have the easiest combination of factors for them to actually make the playoffs. It's hard to feel confident in any choice right now, and I'm sure most of our prognosticators feel the same way.

Mark Malone

New England Patriots There are so many different playoff scenarios. And given the way the season has played out, if you think you can figure it all out, you're just spitting into the wind. That said, I'm going to say the Patriots will win their game at home against a Miami team that's used to warm weather. The Patriots are probably in the best position, and the easiest mathematically, to make the playoffs. If the Pats can't win at home to get into the playoffs, than they don't deserve to be there. Of course, they also need a Jets loss or tie -- which could happen against a tough Packers team.

Joe Theismann

New York Jets I believe the Colts will win to wrap up the first wild-card berth. I also pick the Jets to beat the Packers, the Falcons to beat the Browns and the Broncos to beat the Cardinals. That would put the Jets in the playoffs. And if they make it, the Jets will be a scary team to play. They are scary good.

Mike Golic

Cleveland Browns I have the Browns beating the Falcons at home this week, so Cleveland would get a wild-card berth, along with the Colts. I have the Packers beating the Jets to deny them a playoff berth, and I believe the Dolphins will beat the Patriots to win the AFC East.

Merril Hoge

New York Jets Based on my picks, I would have the Jets landing the last wild-card spot. They have improved both offensively and defensively, first with Chad Pennington and his ability to keep the offense going on a consistent basis. In big games they've had to win, he has played well. And I think he will show up well against the Packers, as will Curtis Martin. The Packers have struggled stopping the running game. And the Jets have made dramatic turnaround in their run defense. They can make the Packers one-dimensional.

Mark Schlereth

New York Jets The way my picks play out, the Jets would make it. I have a gut feeling they will beat the Packers. The Jets are playing well. I like what they are doing offensively, getting away from the toss sweep game, which was a staple of their offense with Curtis Martin. They did that because it's much harder to run play-action fakes, and Chad Pennington is one of the best play-action quarterbacks in football. They are playing more power football with the running game, setting up the play-action much better. That's one of the reasons Pennington and Laveranues Coles are having breakout seasons.

Sean Salisbury

New York Jets Of all of the 8-7 AFC teams, the New York Jets will make the playoffs. It's not always about who has the most talent -- it's who's the hottest going in. And right now, the Jets are on fire. I love the way they're playing. I think they'll beat Green Bay. The Jets may not win the division, because I believe Miami will beat New England. But I think Atlanta will beat Cleveland and Denver will beat Arizona -- which, along with a Jets win, would clinch them a playoff spot. Much of their success can be attributed to the performance of quarterback Chad Pennington. When you have a gutsy, accurate quarterback throwing to talented receivers, like Laveranues Coles and Wayne Chrebet, it's always a good equation. The Jets defense has also been playing well. They really got after Tom Brady and the Patriots last week. But the key to this game will be Pennington -- his continued success will mean a playoff bid for the Jets.