NFC Playoff Picture: New York Giants and Surprise Threats to Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have been virtually unstoppable this season, but the playoffs are a different story and teams will be ready to take them down. 

Everybody knows the New Orleans Saints are capable of hanging with the Packers because Drew Brees is on fire right now. They'll be a hard team to beat in the postseason. 

However, other NFC teams will be threats to the Packers as well. With that said, let's get right to it. 

New York Giants 

You may think that this isn't that much of a surprise. The Giants went toe-to-toe with the Packers in Week 13, nearly handing them their first loss on the year. 

Actually, they are somewhat of a surprise threat because few people believe in them; this makes them a dangerous team. 

For starters, some don't even think they'll make it to the playoffs. The Giants have to win this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in order to be crowned NFC East champs. 

Just like when they won the Super Bowl, people are counting the Giants out, but that will just motivate them to be better. They'll beat the Cowboys and then continue playing great football in the playoffs. 

New York has been tested by some very good teams this year, and it has made the Giants a stronger team. Those who doubt Eli Manning and company will regret it because Big Blue is a good football team that's ready to shock the world once again. 

Detroit Lions

As the Packers' division rival, the Lions are fully capable of beating Green Bay. Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson have put the team on their back to carry the Lions to their first playoff berth since 1999. 

The run game may be lacking, but the Packers are dealing with the same problem. Should these two meet in the postseason, which is very possible, the Packers aren't going to take this game lightly. 

It would be a big shootout, and while Aaron Rodgers has the edge over Stafford, it doesn't mean Green Bay would be a lock to win. 

This coming Sunday, the Lions will battle the Packers. How the two teams approach this game will be a sign of things to come in the playoffs. 

As long as Calvin Johnson is healthy and Ndamukong Suh isn't physically stomping on opponents, the Lions are a team to fear. 

Atlanta Falcons 

After the Saints demolished the Falcons this past week, everyone is writing off Atlanta, which is a mistake. 

The Falcons offense is very explosive, and the thrashing by the Saints was a huge wake-up call. They hung with the Packers earlier in the year, and they can easily do it again. Only this time around, the Falcons will be better prepared to avoid a second-half meltdown. 

With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White and rookie sensation Julio Jones, this Falcons offense cannot be taken lightly.

Sure, they've had some bad games, but the Falcons continue to learn from their mistakes, which will help them in the postseason.

Green Bay's defense isn't very strong this season. If the Falcons play up to their potential, they can bring down the mighty Packers quicker than most think.