NFL Playoff Picture: Looking at Teams Trending Toward a Title Run

Chances are the NFL playoff picture will look a little bit different in each of the final five weeks of the season, but some teams are postseason locks. 

These three teams are trending toward title runs. 

Green Bay Packers 

The Pack passed their first big test of the second half of the regular season, totally dismantling the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving. 

Aaron Rodgers took over in the second half and once again proved that he's operating at a higher level than everyone else. 

As for their defense, forget all the yardage. 

They lead the NFL with 22 interceptions and have demonstrated the uncanny knack to take the ball away nearly every week this season. 

With Rodgers slinging the ball all over the yard and the defense picking the ball off in crunch time, they're extremely difficult to beat. 

New England Patriots 

Just when we thought the Patriots were on their way down, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick reminded everyone to never bet against them. 

They humiliated the Jets in Met Life Stadium, made quick work of the Chiefs at home and seemed at ease against the Eagles last week after Philadelphia scored the first ten points of the game. 

Brady isn't on Rodgers level, but it surely has become close. 

Like Green Bay, New England gives us a ridiculous amount of yardage, but they've gotten a pass-rushing spark from Mark Anderson and Andre Carter. 

Scary. 

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Although they weren't at their best against the Chiefs in hostile Arrowhead Stadium, they managed to leave victorious. That's the true sign of a champion. 

Is there anyone better at improvising and making something out of nothing than Ben Roethlisberger?

It's a skill you can't prepare for if you're a defense.

The speed in the receiving corp is hard to match up against, too.  

Pittsburgh's defensive unit is still among the tops in the league, but another journey to the Super Bowl hinges on the health of safety Troy Polamalu.