NFL Playoff Picks: Teams That Will Have Trouble in Wild Card Round

You can have a good record in the regular season, but the reality is it's the teams that up their play in the playoffs who should be called the favorites.

Week 17 saw some interesting developments, including the New York Giants looking better and the Denver Broncos looking, well, not so good.

Here are three teams that will have trouble in the Wild Card Round.

3. Detroit Lions (10-6)

The Lions have been one of this season's biggest risers, in large part due to quarterback Matthew Stafford and an improved defense.

But the Lions' defense was exposed against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, and that was despite Packers backup quarterback Matt Flynn starting.

It's true that Flynn has a good deal of potential, but allowing him to pass for 480 yards and six touchdowns can't have the Lions' defense feeling all warm and cozy inside.

The worst part of it all?

The Lions face Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in the Wild Card Round.

Expect the Lions to succumb to the Saints' high-octane passing attack.

2. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

The Falcons have quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner and receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones, but their Week 16 blowout loss to the Saints has to be concerning.

They got back on track against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17, but the Buccaneers are one of the league's worst teams.

The Falcons also face a surging New York Giants team that has won its last two games, including against the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys.

Going up against Eli Manning is always an adventure in the playoffs, as he showed against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.

I think the Falcons lose this game in New York.

1. Denver Broncos (8-8)

Let's be honest, Broncos fans: Tim Tebow and the Broncos simply looked bad against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17.

In fact, they lost, 7-3.

Tebow's deficiencies were put on the back burner after he helped lead the Broncos to six straight victories this season, but after losing three straight games, Tebow and the Broncos have some issues to work out.

Tebow can't keep turning the ball over if he expects to succeed in the NFL. He has accuracy issues as it is. Plus, he faces the Pittsburgh Steelers' tough defense in the Wild Card Round.

I see Tebow Mania ending abruptly against the Steelers.