NFL Playoff Picture: Biggest Question Marks for Every Eligible Team

No team is perfect. 

Even the Green Bay Packers have question marks surrounding them as they begin their journey toward a second straight Super Bowl. 

Many clubs have major deficiencies on defense, while some aren't the most efficient on the offensive side of the football. 

Let's look at the biggest question mark for every playoff-eligible team. 

Green Bay Packers: Defense

The Green Bay Packers won't have a problem scoring points—that's for sure. 

It's their defense that's a bit worrisome. 

While their 31st-ranked pass defense is a bit misleading because many teams have been forced to throw against them after falling behind, the Packers must improve in the overall yardage they allow. 

They have intercepted a league-high 29 passes, but what happens if Charles Woodson doesn't jump in front of a dig route or if Clay Matthews' drop into coverage on a zone blitz doesn't result in a pick? 

Green Bay will face tremendous quarterbacks in this postseason and can't rely on the turnovers as much to win. 

Can their underwhelming defense do enough to win a game in which Aaron Rodgers doesn't put on a show?

New Orleans Saints: Creation of Turnovers

As with the Packers' defense, the yardage the Saints' defense has surrendered this season doesn't necessarily truly indicate how they've played, but they must become a more stout unit in January. 

To get more specific, they need to force more turnovers. 

They have a mere eight interceptions in 2011 and have recovered six fumbles. 

Remember in 2009, when they were the turnover mavens? 

They picked off 26 passes and pounced on 13 fumbles in the regular season. 

In the playoffs, the turnovers kept coming. 

Although Drew Brees was incredible from the start of those playoffs all the way through the Super Bowl, the interceptions and fumble recoveries were an integral part of the team's ultimate triumph. 

Can their defense progress into a more formidable group while it forces more turnovers?

San Francisco 49ers: Passing Attack

The 49ers have an ideal game plan to win in the postseason—defend and run the football. 

Quarterback Alex Smith has pieced together a fine 2011 campaign that will likely to an NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, but I have some questions. 

What happens if San Francisco falls behind against, say, the New Orleans Saints or Green Bay Packers? 

Can Smith lead his team down the field when they're essentially forced to pass the football—maybe with a few big plays?

Answer those two questions and you'll know the playoff fate of the 49ers. 

New York Giants: Passing Defense

The New York Giants have the talent on offense to do major damage in the playoffs. 

They can stick with the Saints and Packers of the NFC. 

Statistically, New York has the 27th-ranked pass defense and they definitely haven't shown much improvement throughout the season. 

They should be able to play more consistently because of their ferocious pass rush that typically can reach the quarterback with only four defensive linemen. 

Against a multitude of high-flying aerial attacks, the Giants' secondary will have to become more stingy.

Eli Manning has been outstanding this year, but he can't win every game by himself.  

Will the Giants' defensive backfield tighten up in crunch time? 

Detroit Lions: Discipline

The Lions have experienced quite the up-and-down year in 2011, but they're extremely talented—especially on offense—and have a similar makeup to the rest of the NFC playoff clubs.

They love airing it out and aren't exactly known for their defense.

While making a concerted effort to stop the run would be beneficial, playing disciplined football is far more important. 

The Lions often are flagged at the most inopportune times, especially when on defense. 

Giving the Falcons, Saints, Packers or 49ers "free" first downs won't bode well for Detroit. 

Same goes for Matthew Stafford—he must play with discipline, too.

Sometimes his big arm gets the best of him and he zips throws into double and triple coverage. 

Live to see another down—you've got the most dynamic security blanket in Calvin Johnson, anyway.

Will immaturity and penalties prohibit the Lions from reaching their potential? 

Atlanta Falcons: Dedication to Michael Turner

In the Falcons' six losses this season, Michael Turner has averaged 14 carries. 

Two of those defeats came at the hands of the Saints, the most recent coming in blowout fashion. 

Matt Ryan is having a fantastic season that's been overshadowed by the epic campaigns of Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and even Matthew Stafford, but Atlanta is far more difficult to beat when Turner receives somewhere around 20 touches. 

It will be tempting for the Falcons to throw it often with all the talented pass-catchers they possess, but Turner must be established first and he must be featured throughout the game.

Their offense can undoubtedly win in a high-scoring affair, but they can't win the Super Bowl that way. 

Can the Falcons play their own brand of balanced football? 

Dallas Cowboys: Defense

I thought Rob Ryan was supposed to totally change the defensive culture in Dallas.

The Cowboys' defense is better than last year's humiliating unit, but there have not been dramatic improvements.

They surrender nearly 240 yards per game through the air, and despite having a Top 10 run defense, they have been susceptible against speedier backs in 2011. 

Blame for fourth-quarter collapses can't be placed on one unit or player, but Dallas' defense has come up small in the biggest moments. 

Can the Cowboys' defense limit some of the best offenses in football and not implode in late-game situations?

New England Patriots: Defense, Defense, Defense

Tom Brady is having an amazingly efficient season and could throw for more 5,000 yards. 

He's almost single-handedly led the Patriots to the No. 1 spot in the AFC with masterful performances nearly every week. 

The defense hasn't just allowed garbage-time yardage—they've been shredded by just about every quarterback they've faced in 2011.

With formidable opponents—in the Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers—looming, they won't necessarily be able to win in shootouts throughout January. 

Can the Patriots' secondary stop anyone?

Baltimore Ravens: Dedication to Ray Rice

The Ravens need to get Ray Rice the football. 

It's that simple. 

Let's face it—Joe Flacco is good, but he's not going to consistently lead Baltimore to victories, especially in the playoffs, if he has to throw the ball frequently. 

In the Ravens' four losses, Rice has a total of 36 carries. 

Not good. 

Can the Ravens dedicate their game plan to Rice and get him nearly 30 touches?

Houston Texans: T.J. Yates

The Texans have a Super Bowl-caliber defense that features a nasty defensive line. 

Arian Foster is a big, physical, yet speedy running back who has demonstrated great consistency over the last two seasons. 

However, former third-string, rookie quarterback T.J. Yates puts the Texans' Super Bowl chances in serious doubt.

He's been extremely ineffective in Houston's last two defeats after a triumphant second half against a stout Cincinnati Bengals defense to clinch the team's first playoff berth.

Can the Texans make a deep run with T.J. Yates calling the shots under center? 

Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow

While he did everything he needed to put the Denver Broncos in the position they're in today, Tim Tebow will make or break his team's season in the playoffs. 

Defenses have started to figure out Tebow's tendencies and have made him throw more often than he'd like. 

If he can quickly improve his accuracy as a passer, the Broncos could be successful in January; but if not, it is more than likely they'll make an early exit. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger's Ankle

I'll make it short and sweet. 

With a rested Ben Roethlisberger, who can move outside the pocket with ease and improvise to make plays downfield, the Steelers are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. 

If he's hobbled and must be a pocket-only passer, Pittsburgh's in trouble. 

Simple as that. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton

Andy Dalton has been spectacular against the inferior teams this season, and has struggled against the better defenses. 

Imagine that. 

The Bengals have a good enough defense to make a deep run in the playoffs and Cedric Benson has the ability to take over a January game. 

However, if Dalton can't keep opposing defenses honest by consistently moving the ball down the field with the pass, Cincinnati might not make it out of the first round. 

Oakland Raiders: Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer has been on a roller coaster ride since joining the Oakland Raiders. He was completely flustered and out of sorts in his first few appearances, then settled down to lead his club to a few big wins, and since then he's been OK. 

He threw for 237 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions last week, but the Raiders eked out an overtime victory in Kansas City, keeping their playoff hopes alive. 

Can he can stay away from multiple-turnover games while still stretching the field by getting the ball to his speedy receivers?

If he can, Oakland will be a scary postseason team.  

New York Jets: Mark Sanchez

The Jets' defense isn't nearly as intimidating as it was in 2010, but overall, the unit is good enough to win playoff games. 

Shonn Greene is somewhat of a hit-or-miss back and the offensive line has experienced a fair share of hiccups, but when it comes down to it, Mark Sanchez is the key to the Jets' fate this season. 

In games in which Sanchez is poised in the pocket and delivers accurate throws on time, New York has seemed able to live up to Rex Ryan's preseason braggadocio. 

Recently, however, Sanchez has looked like an unsteady rookie who's not sure where to throw the football.

Can he turn it on again in the playoffs?

Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson

The Titans aren't an extremely flashy club, but they're solid on both sides of the football. The receiving corps is a bit unheralded, but Nate Washington and Damian Williams are viable yards-after-the-catch options that have the speed get on the perimeter and catch the deep pass. 

As is always the case in Tennessee, the Titans' defensive line is stout and the secondary is a respectable bunch. 

Matthew Hasselbeck quietly had one of his best seasons as a professional in 2011. 

Chris Johnson, though, is the key to it all. 

When he's bouncing outside and utilizing his quickness and acceleration to gain big chunks of yardage, the Titans are a dangerous club. 

Unfortunately, he has been wildly inconsistent, and after consecutive games in which he rushed for more than 152 yards, he has failed to break the 60-yard mark in the last three contests. 

Can CJ2K become the top home-run threat he was the last two seasons?