NFC Playoff Picture: Which Teams Are Best Suited for Inclement Playoff Weather?

We have all seen playoff weather get pretty nasty. The New England Patriots-Oakland Raiders game from 2002 that produced the "Tuck Rule" controversy was a blizzard in Foxboro.

The Green Bay Packers and New York Giants played the NFC Championship game in 2008 amidst freezing conditions at Lambeau Field.

That brings me to this year. Which team is best suited for survival in the event of inclement weather? It has been a mild winter season so far, but you never know when mother nature will strike.

Indoor kickers are automatically at a disadvantage, so Detroit, New Orleans and Atlanta get points off there.

Here is a break down and a letter grade for each team's bad weather projection:

Green Bay Packers 14-1

The Packers will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs this year, so the road to the Super Bowl will go through Lambeau Field. Is that a good thing for the Pack? Well, as long as the weather stays as mild as it has been, it is.

The Packers have not established a running game this year. They rank 27th in the NFL in rushing, and they haven't been world-beaters against the run either, ranking only 16th defensively in this phase of the game.

Here is a team, geared for the pass, but they hold the highest probability of facing the type of conditions that will hamper their preferred style of play.

It sounds like a recipe for an upset. This is part of the reason I don't have the Packers reaching the Super Bowl. There are other teams that are better prepared and more balanced.

The Packers have to feel a little nervous about depending on Jermichael Finley in tough conditions. His hands have failed him more than a few times this year already.

Bad Weather Projection Grade: C-

New Orleans Saints 12-3

The Saints are on a roll right now. They have won seven straight, and as much as Drew Brees has excelled (NFL record 5087 passing yards), the Saints have run the ball effectively as well.

The Saints have almost 400 more yards rushing than their opponents. They are ranked in the top 10 both offensively and defensively against the run.

In addition, they are 10-0 when they tally four yards per carry in a game. As much as Brees' success is crucial, the Saints have been unbeatable when they run the ball well.

The Saints also have a big possession receiver in Marques Colston, as well as a dominant tight end in Jimmy Graham. Those types of players are made to excel in tough conditions.

Bad Weather Projection Grade: B+

San Francisco 49ers 12-3

The Niners are a grind it out, smash mouth team. They are built for poor weather, theoretically. It is ironic that a team from California is better suited for inclement weather than one based in the Midwest, but it's true.

The Niners don't depend heavily on the pass, but they run it almost as well as any team (ninth in the NFL), and nobody snuffs the run like San Fran (1st in the NFL).

The Niners have allowed one rushing TD this season. The Niners also have an impact player at tight end in Vernon Davis, which is another valuable weapon in bad weather. In a nasty game that discourages the pass, there isn't a team in the NFL better suited to succeed.

Bad Weather Projection Grade: A

Detroit Lions 10-5

You always worry about a young team in bad weather, and that is only compounded by the fact that the Lions play in a dome. Further concerning is the fact that they depend so heavily on the Calvin Johnson threat to perform at their best.

Those deep balls will not be nearly as accessible in bad weather. Worst of all, they have been terrible on both sides of the ball in the running game.

All of those factors make the Lions the worst suited team in the NFC for bad weather.

Bad Weather Projection Grade: F

Atlanta Falcons 10-5

The Falcons are a dome team, but their bread and butter is the run game. They have dynamic down field threats in Julio Jones and Roddy White, but the Falcons can win rising Michael Turner.

Turner has had five 100 yard games this season and the Falcons are 4-1 in those games. He's had six games averaging four yards per carry or better, they are 4-2 in those games. And in games he scores a rushing TD, Atlanta is 6-1.

So, even though the Falcons have had a tendency to abandon the running game this year, they have the option. Also, veteran and future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez is an excellent option in poor conditions.

The defense is ninth against the run. They can win a grinding contest.

Bad Weather Projection Grade: B-

Dallas Cowboys/New York Giants

The NFC East will be decided on the final day of the regular season. The Cowboys are ill-equipped for poor weather. Their rushing offense took a hit without DeMarco Murray, who is out for the season. They are still middle of the pack, but not overly impressive at 15th in the NFL in rushing yards.

The Boys have stopped the run this year, they are seventh in the league, but much of this comes down to experience and poise. The Cowboys have failed thus far this season in pressure situations.

Producing on the road in tough conditions will bring about more of the same for them.

Bad Weather Projection Grade: C-

The Giants do have the type of team to pull off a win in rough weather. They have depth in the backfield with Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. They also have a physical possession receiver in Hakeem Nicks and a dependable, big tight end in Jake Ballard.

The one problem is, for all of the Giants' smash mouth reputation, they've been anything but that this season. Eli Manning is having a career year, but the team is dead last in rushing yards.

They are also only ranked 22nd against the run. Some of that is due to injuries throughout the season. Generally those totals would render an F grade for bad weather suitability.

In this case, I can't completely ignore history, so I'll give the Giants a D. If they play the way they are capable, they can win a game with less than ideal conditions.

Bad Weather Projection Grade: D