NFL Playoff Picture: Teams That Will Choke in the Postseason

Here's a quick look at three NFL teams that will fall short of playoff expectations in 2012. 

Baltimore Ravens

I'm sorry, but until Joe Flacco proves otherwise, I just can't trust him in the playoffs. He's thrown for over 200 yards just once in his playoff career and has a 4:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. 

In a conference that has Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Tim Tebow (just kidding), quarterback play is going to be extremely important in getting to the Super Bowl. 

The Ravens have a tremendous defense, but they will ultimately fall short of their real goal.

Denver Broncos

This is assuming the Broncos actually beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 and squeak into the playoffs. 

Denver has a lot of playmakers on defense, but defenses are starting to figure out how to defend Tim Tebow's unique skill-set. Honestly, it was just a matter of time before it happened. 

A solid defense and good running game can take a team a long way, and Denver has those things, but without Tebow keeping defenses honest the Broncos won't be able to score enough to win in the wild-card round. Even though they'll be the higher seed and be at home. 

New England Patriots

Barring a big slip-up in Week 17, the Patriots will head into the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That means it's Super Bowl or bust for Bill Belichick and New England.

Unfortunately, bust is the much more likely scenario for this team.

Tom Brady leads an amazing offense, but this defense is still pathetic against the pass and the run. Shootouts work against lesser teams, but this is the playoffs, and the Pats will likely hit a wall.

Teams like the Steelers or Ravens (or even Texans) won't give up 40 points, and that means New England is going to need some defensive stops. Unfortunately, I just don't see that happening with consistency. 

The Pats will get knocked out before they reach the Super Bowl.