NFL Playoff Scenarios: The Key for Each Team to Advance to the Super Bowl

The NFL playoffs always come down to the team that can capitalize on their strengths better than anyone else. If a squad exploits their advantage in the postseason tournament, it will have a chance to put together the three or four victories necessary.

Two examples spring to mind when thinking about a team utilizing its best asset to take home the title. The most recent is the New York Giants. They rode their defensive line to a victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in 2008. Another was back in 2000, when the the Baltimore Ravens' devastating defense shut down everyone in their path.

The following slides provide the keys for each team's success this postseason.

Matt Ryan Must Become Matty Ice

The Atlanta Falcons are flying under the radar this postseason. They don't seem to do anything particularly well, yet they were able to win 10 games.

The Falcons like to rely on their running game with Michael Turner. However, in order for them to make a championship run, they will need Matt Ryan to live up to his nickname: Matty Ice.

The NFL has put the focus on the passing game with the rule changes made over the past few years. Many other teams are geared for that style of play, and Atlanta must find a way to keep up.

Atlanta's defense is not good enough to grind out games with a conservative approach. The Falcons will need to air it out to their big wide receivers, Roddy White and Julio Jones. 

The New York Giants Still Rely on Their Defensive Line

The New York Giants are not trying to reinvent the wheel. They understand that disrupting the quarterback is the most effective way to take an offense out of its rhythm. 

Michael Strahan may have retired, but his absence isn't noticed by opposing quarterbacks. They are too concerned with the activity of Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul.

If the Giants can get after the signal-caller, they can protect their banged-up secondary.

The offense is capable of putting up points and protecting a lead. The Giants have a real potential of replicating the pattern that has previously resulted in championships.

A.J. Green Must Do His Best Calvin Johnson Impersonation

The Cincinnati Bengals surprised everyone this year by locking up a wild-card spot. Their presence shouldn't be discounted.

The Bengals have an outstanding and bruising defense that can keep them in any game. The real key is going to be getting it done on the offensive side with a rookie quarterback.

If Andy Dalton is going to be successful, he will need A.J. Green to make plays. Much like Calvin Johnson, Green has the ability to bail his quarterback out of tough situations.

Green just needs to make about four to five plays to put the offense in a position to score. Then the defense will be setup to do their part.

Arian Foster Must Do His Best Arian Foster Impersonation

The Houston Texans are finally making their first playoff appearance, and their fans are rewarded by having to support a third-string quarterback. They will take the trade off, but the team will need to be smart if Houston is going to advance.

Arian Foster is one of the premier running backs in the league. The only formula that will allow the Texans to make the divisional round of the playoffs must include a steady dose of the former rushing champ.

Not only will he probably break a few runs, but the threat of him doing so will loosen up the defense. That is when rookie T.J. Yates (or possibly Jake Delhomme) can utilize the play action to find stud wide receiver Andre Johnson down the field.

It will not be easy to run the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it will be necessary.

The Detroit Lions' Hopes Rest on Kevin Smith's Shoulders

The Detroit Lions will need multiple monster performances in order to get to their first Super Bowl. But the biggest contribution they will need comes from an unlikely source.

The Lions have been predicated around throwing the ball all over the field. It's a good formula when you have the best young quarterback in the league, Matthew Stafford, and a wide receiver like Calvin Johnson.

However, to be successful, the Lions will need Kevin Smith to pound away at the opponent's defense. This will enable Detroit to give their defense some much-needed rest as they recover from chasing various opposing receivers as they are prone to do.

If Smith gets over 80 yards, the Lions will get their first playoff victory in 20 years and be a real threat to win the entire thing.

The New Orleans Saints Need to Revert to Their Super Bowl Ways

The New Orleans Saints can score. That's pretty obvious when you have Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles. 

However, the Saints don't stop opposing teams from getting into the end zone too often. They have done better in recent weeks, but their best bet isn't to stop them.

It was forcing turnovers that catapulted the Saints to their Super Bowl win a couple years ago. The clinching moment of that win over the Indianapolis Colts was Tracy Porter's touchdown off an interception.

Considering that the Saints will likely play at least two pass-happy teams, the opportunities will be there. They must take chances on defense to make game-changing plays like they have in the past. 

Defense Must Rule the Day for the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos start Tim Tebow at quarterback. They are not going to score many points.

Therefore, the defense must get back to the way it played during the team's 7-1 run. All the emphasis was put on Tebow, but he would never have been in the situation to lead dramatic comebacks if it wasn't for the defense.

Von Miller hasn't been the same since he hurt his hand. When you can't use your hands to create separation and leverage against an offensive tackle, the chances of beating said tackle drop dramatically.

However, they still have Elvis Dumervil. If he can get after the gimpy Ben Roethlisberger, the Broncos can't be written off.

Ben Roethlisberger's Ankle Could Be the Key to the Entire Postseason

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without starting running back Rashard Mendenhall for the duration of the playoffs. This means that they will be even more reliant on their star quarterback.

Ben Roethlisberger is at his best when he is able to move around in the pocket to buy time for his speedy receivers. However, his mobility could be severely limited by a lingering ankle injury.

If he cannot move, the lackluster Steelers offensive line won't give him enough time to find the open man. To make matters worse, starting center Maurkice Pouncey will probably not be able to play against the Broncos. 

Nobody is doubting Roethlisberger's toughness, but if he cannot scramble around a bit, the Steelers will not get past the divisional round.

Give Frank Gore the Ball

The NFL is more interesting when the traditional powers are playing well. The San Francisco 49ers are arguably the most storied franchise in the entire league.

Their return to prominence has not been predicated on the styles of yesteryear. This team has taken on Jim Harbaugh's identity of toughness and physicality.

Alex Smith will not win any games for this team. The Niners must feed Frank Gore the ball a minimum of 25 times in order to limit opponent's possessions. In addition, he provides their best chance to pick up first downs and put up points.

The defense will make it difficult for anybody to score. If Gore can break just two or three runs, San Francisco has the ability to bring home another Lombardi Trophy.

Joe Flacco Must Make the Leap

Joe Flacco has led the Baltimore Ravens to some inspiring victories this season. The most notable was the last-minute win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Yet, the Ravens have won a few times despite Flacco. Additionally, in their four losses, he has thrown five touchdowns against six interceptions.

Only throwing one more pick isn't that terrible when you're comparing losing efforts. The problem is the lack of production.

The Ravens have all the pieces this year. They just need their quarterback to ascend to the next level.

Charles Woodson Does It All

There isn't anything that Charles Woodson cannot do. He won the Heisman trophy as a primarily defensive player, won the Defensive Player of the Year award and was the leader of a Super Bowl winner.

If both Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn go down, the offense wouldn't miss a beat with Woodson under center. 

That being said, his main contribution will probably come on the other side of the ball. Woodson has aged tremendously and still causes nightmares for opposing offensive coordinators.

His ability to make plays in the backfield as well as in the secondary is unique and required. The Green Bay Packers defense is vulnerable.

In order for this team to reach its potential, he will need to be his disruptive, ever-present self. Without him, this season will probably be for naught.

Bill Belichick Needs to Regain His Defensive Genuis Status

The New England Patriots have become an offensive juggernaut over the past half-decade. This hasn't boded well for them.

The Pats teams that won championships gutted out wins with gritty offensive play and a stalwart defense. That formula must be revisited for the Pats to reclaim their throne.

Bill Belichick was once regarded as a defensive genius due to his ability to thwart offenses with his schemes. New England can score on anyone, but to win it all, it must stop someone.

No pressure, Belichick.