NFL Playoff Predictions: Overrated Teams Destined for Postseason Failure

Here's a quick look at three overrated NFL teams that will be exposed come playoff time. 

New England Patriots

The Patriots are heading into the playoffs with an eight-game winning streak and a clear-cut No. 1 seed. Still though, consider me unimpressed.

This defense is just way too susceptible via both the air and on the ground. Look at their last five opponents. The Pats have played Indy, Washington, Denver, Miami and Buffalo.

Those aren't exactly playoff-caliber offenses (except for, I guess, Denver. But, I wouldn't necessarily consider the Broncos a playoff team), and the Patriots haven't held any of them under 20 points.

It's just too big of a weakness, and it's going to be exposed—most likely early in the playoffs.

If Houston beats Cincy at home in the Wild Card, and Pittsburgh knocks off Denver, the Pats will have to host the Steelers.

Pittsburgh already showed it can beat the Patriots by controlling the ball and keeping Tom Brady off the field. They will do it again. 

San Francisco 49ers

The Niners have put together an amazing season, and it's been fueled mostly by their terrific defense. Unfortunately for San Fran, it's likely they'll host the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round.

If there is one guy who is matchup-proof, it's Drew Brees. If you're going to beat San Francisco, you have to do it through the air. Brees, the new record-holder for passing yards in a season, has no trouble doing that.

The 49ers did a good job getting a first-round bye, but they'll still see their season end prematurely.

New York Giants/Dallas Cowboys

Whoever wins tonight's game will get to host (likely) Atlanta in the wild-card round, but that just won't matter.

Both of these teams have shown they are incredibly inconsistent and can't be relied upon. Each squad has done everything it can to throw the division away, but the other just won't let that happen.

Matt Ryan has been on fire as of late, and he'll lead the Falcons to an easy road victory over either of these underperforming teams.