NFL Playoff Picture: Latest AFC, NFC Standings, Analysis of Rising Teams

The 2014 NFL playoff picture underwent an inevitable makeover in Week 16, as the AFC and NFC hierarchies made big strides toward fully crystallizing.

A number of teams are peaking at the right time, trending upward and have clinched postseason berths. However, there are several clubs that stand out that weren't at all certain to be in the playoffs before this week's action yet put together exceptional performances to rise to further prominence.

There is still plenty of football to be played, with all the teams vying for spots still to play regular-season finales. Among the three standout teams, only one isn't guaranteed a chance to be in the NFL's exclusive year-end tournament.

Here is a closer look at the latest standings along with analysis on a trio of teams that could be serious Super Bowl dark horses.

Analyzing Top NFL Playoff Risers

San Diego Chargers (No. 6 in AFC)

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With the season on the line, it appeared the Chargers were folding in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. Then Philip Rivers overcame three interceptions, converted two clutch fourth downs to help force overtime and led San Diego to a 21-point comeback win.

Check out this inside information from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, which makes Rivers' gutsy effort all the more special:

San Diego must win over Kansas City on the road in Week 17, and there should be plenty of incentive to do that since the Chargers lost to their AFC West adversary 23-20 earlier this year. K.C. is also reeling amid three losses in four games, and its only victory in that span was over Oakland.

With how well New England and Denver are playing at the top of the conference, the Chargers are on a collision course with either Indianapolis or the AFC North champion in the Wild Card Round.

The Colts just got torched by Dallas in a 42-7 road loss while the current AFC North-leading Cincinnati Bengals have a banged-up defense and a dubious big-game quarterback in Andy Dalton. Both of them are extremely beatable.

Michele Steele of ESPN documented what receiver Malcom Floyd had to say about the Chargers' Week 16 rally:

Recovering from so far down in San Francisco can't be discounted from a momentum standpoint.

Even with Rivers banged up and Ryan Mathews and Keenan Allen out, he still willed the Chargers back against a top-flight 49ers defense. Most will count San Diego out based on its past shortcomings, but under Rivers' direction, this team may surprise in the postseason if it gets there.

Dallas Cowboys (No. 3 in NFC)

Perhaps the biggest story that will emerge from Week 16 is the Dallas Cowboys' dismantling of the Colts. Tony Romo tore it up, throwing just two incomplete passes and four touchdowns in the landmark victory.

Romo helped make up for a lack of production from league-leading runner DeMarco Murray, quieting critics of his late-season shortcomings in years past.

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NBA legend Magic Johnson took some time to weigh in on America's Team and did a nice job summarizing its enviable strengths:

The Cowboys defense shut down Colts QB Andrew Luck, holding him to a career-low 109 yards passing and forcing two interceptions. A relentless pass rush put Luck off his spot often, and if Dallas can generate that type of pressure moving forward, its chances of thriving in the playoffs increase greatly.

This is the first time in years Romo has had a ground game to support him in addition to a defense to help out on the other side of the ball. It's no coincidence he's having perhaps his best year ever, as the failures from before have had to help harden him into the wily veteran he is playing as now.

It remains to be seen if Dallas' defense can hold up under playoff pressure, but there's little reason to doubt Romo will any longer. That gives the Cowboys at least a puncher's chance to emerge from the NFC, especially with a home postseason game on tap.

Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 5 in AFC)

Against what was the league's No. 2 pass defense, Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger played like "Big Ben" can in clutch situations on Sunday, throwing for 220 yards and completing 18 of 25 passes in a 20-12 win over the Chiefs.

In many ways, Dallas is similar to the way this Steelers team is constructed, only it doesn't have a two-time Super Bowl-winning QB, which is what Roethlisberger is. This quote from Roethlisberger after Sunday's game reflects his championship mindset:

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There's still room for the Steelers to improve in Week 17, when they welcome the Bengals to Heinz Field in a game that will decide the AFC North division.

This stat from Steelers.com's Missi Matthews seemed particularly pertinent once Week 16 saw Pittsburgh come out on top:

As hinted before, Dalton gives Cincinnati a serious disadvantage under center as opposed to his forthcoming counterpart. Pittsburgh may be ravaged by injuries, yet its superior organizational infrastructure and QB may be enough to claim the AFC North crown.

That old-school, hard-nosed Steelers style of football is revealing itself. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is among the best schemers in the game, and running back Le'Veon Bell gives Pittsburgh flexibility to crush opponents on the ground.

Roethlisberger and Bell have proved they can lead elite-caliber dimensions of the offense through both running and passing. The all-purpose Bell even contributes as a pass-catcher at times.

Even though the Bengals have perhaps the best pair of young backs in Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, Dalton will likely take up the mantle of late-year choke artist from Romo until he proves otherwise.