Who Are the NFL's Contenders, Who Are the Pretenders?

We are past the halfway point in the season, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Teams are gearing up for a contentious second half, with many unexpected ones in contention.

There are the obvious entrants—the Falcons, Texans and the like—and plenty fighting for their playoff lives.

The NFL has parity like it has never known. There are many teams poised to make a run at the playoffs, but only a dozen get in. 

Here is a baker's dozen of teams that are currently in playoff position or tied for a spot. But who are the real contenders for the crown? And which teams are mirages? 

Click through to find out.

San Francisco 49ers

A whisker away from a Super Bowl XLVI, the 49ers are rolling once more in 2012. Much like last season, the formula has been a great defense paired with a competent offense. 

We have seen what can happen to the 49ers when that offense does not play mistake-free football, however, and it is not pretty. Even so, the offense has gotten better this season. Does that mean they are favorites to make it out of the NFC?

They certainly are one of the favorites, but the NFC is quite the gauntlet. 

Playoff Picture: Contender

Baltimore Ravens

Also a hair's breadth away from last season's Super Bowl, the Ravens stormed out to a big lead in the AFC North this season. But are they in the same boat as this year's iteration of the 49ers?

Unfortunately, the injury bug has hit the Ravens in a big way. Terrell Suggs made it back to action much earlier than we all expected after an Achilles injury, but Baltimore has lost one of the best cornerbacks in the league and its leader on defense in Lardarius Webb and Ray Lewis.

The defense has not been its usual dominant self this season, particularly against the run. That is what sets this team apart from the 49ers.

This is all not to mention that Joe Flacco is not the league's best quarterback, as it turns out. He has his moments, and the offense can score a lot of points when he is hot. The Steelers are coming on strong, though, and the Ravens defense is going to have a tough time stopping the Patriots and Texans in the playoffs.

Playoff Picture: Pretender

Atlanta Falcons

They might be undefeated, but the Falcons cannot seem to shake the "one-and-done" monkey off their back. Of course, we cannot possibly know until the playoffs come around.

Atlanta sports a high-octane, balanced offense that has carried the team to an 8-0 record. The defense has done its part.

Here is the issue for the Falcons: the playoff bye. It seems likely they will be one of the two bye teams once the season comes to an end, meaning they will have to face, perhaps, the New York Giants or Green Bay Packers having come off a victory in the Wild Card Round.

This is the best team the Falcons have fielded in recent years, though. They will be a force to be reckoned with.

Playoff Picture: Contender

New England Patriots

These aren't your older brother's Patriots.

New England has faced its share of adversity this season, losing to the likes of Arizona and Seattle when the Pats would have crushed them in years past. Is the Bill Belichick era in its twilight years?

Not so fast.

While they might not be lighting up opposing teams—at least consistently—and the defense might leave something to be desired, but the Patriots are still a dangerous team. They just traded for Aqib Talib to try to address their porous secondary, and Tom Brady is still in the upper echelon of quarterbacks.

Playoff Picture: Contender

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are predictably good after landing Peyton Manning in the offseason. The offense is balanced, and Manning is doing his thing, even if his arm is not what it used to be.

They look poised to win the weak AFC West, but how good are they? Their three losses have come convincingly at the hands of the Falcons, Texans and Patriots. 

Manning is no stranger to playoff disappointment, and he will experience that once again come January.

Playoff Picture: Pretender

Green Bay Packers

They have no running game. Their defense is suspect. The offensive line is a hot mess. Their receivers are dropping like flies, not to mention dropping a ton of passes.

What makes this team so dangerous? Three words: Discount Double Check.

Aaron Rodgers is in the prime of his prime right now, capable of superhuman feats at quarterback, despite the human football abyss that is known as Jermichael Finley.

Assuming they can get their key players back for the stretch run and the playoffs, the Packers will be a tough out. Of course, one can never assume.

Playoff Picture: Contender

New York Giants

The Giants are in the midst of their midseason malaise, calling into question whether they can truly defend their crown.

Sure, the offense is in a funk, and Eli Manning looks like he's lost his fourth-quarter magic this year, but remember where the Giants came from to win their two most recent championships. 

At 9-7 last season, New York barely made the playoffs, and the team had no apparent hope to get far in the playoffs. With the NFC East being its usual weak self, the Giant seem to be a shoo-in for a playoff spot. 

Never count the Giants out in the playoffs.

Playoff Picture: Contender

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks made the playoffs two seasons ago at 7-9, then were completely blown away in the NFC West with the same record last season. They have quietly improved in recent years, particularly on defense.

It was difficult to pin down expectations for this team heading into the season: They had a third-round rookie and an unproven free agent vying for the starting quarterback job, and the NFC is stacked all around them.

So far, so good. Russell Wilson has done a fine job, and the defense has been tough. Seattle has beaten some good teams this season en route to a 5-4 record, just 1.5 games behind the 49ers heading into Week 10.

If ever there was a team that relied on home-field advantage, however, it is the Seahawks.

The 12th Man serves them well, particularly on defense. They are 4-0 at home but just 1-4 on the road. Their home success will keep them in the playoff race, but they will be hard-pressed to make the playoffs if they wind up with a 9-7 record thanks to their road woes.

Even if they get in, they might need home-field advantage to advance.

Playoff Picture: Pretender

Houston Texans

Few teams could lay a stronger claim to the contender mantle than the Houston Texans. They have clearly been the best team in the AFC this season, and it is not close.

Houston blends a brutal run game with effective passing, making it a frightening proposition for opposing defenses. The Texans' real strength lies on defense, however, where they rank in the top five in total and scoring defense.

As long as they can stay healthy—never a given with the likes of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson—they will be the favorites to make it out of the AFC.

Playoff Picture: Contender

Minnesota Vikings

Few teams were more surprising than the Minnesota Vikings this season. They ran out to the top of a tough NFC North on the wings of victories against the likes of the 49ers, Lions and equally surprising Cardinals.

Like their Arizona brethren, however, the Vikings have fallen off in recent weeks. The defense has not been quite as good, and Christian Ponder has been brutal. Adrian Peterson can only do so much.

The Vikings have to run most of the NFC North gauntlet during the second half of the season, which will continue to expose them as a middling team in elite clothing.

Playoff Picture: Pretender

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers got off to a brutal start in 2012. The defense sagged under the weight of injuries and old age, contributing to tough losses on the road against the Broncos, Raiders and Titans.

They have slowly been getting healthy, and the once-horrific offensive line has been playing well. The Steelers are currently the top defense in the NFL and rank No. 9 in scoring defense. Ben Roethlisberger is playing well, and the running game keeps churning out 100-yard performances despite playing musical running backs, thanks to injury.

Much like the Giants, you can never count the Steelers out. Once they hit the playoffs, they are a major threat to get to the Super Bowl.

Playoff Picture: Contender

Indianapolis Colts

Andrew Luck is on his way to an Offensive Rookie of the Year nod. His recent surge has helped the Colts climb to a surprising 5-3 record, and they currently sit in playoff position as a result.

They have been the beneficiaries of a soft schedule, but they also beat the Packers and upstart Dolphins. It has been a pleasant surprise in Indianapolis after many expected the team to have a tough season as they continue to rebuild.

How far can Luck take them? About as far as his defense will allow. (Hint: Not very far.)

Playoff Picture: Pretender

Chicago Bears

The NFC analogue to the Texans has been the Bears, to this point.

Their defense has been nothing short of incredible. Tim Jennings and Charles Tillman headline a defensive unit that has brutalized all comers this season. 

(What's that? They just scored another touchdown?)

If Jay Cutler can continue to play well, they may well be on their way to a Super Bowl berth. The Bears were 7-3 last season before Cutler was lost for the season.

Playoff Picture: Contender