NFL Odds And Ends: 5 NFL Teams That Can Make the Playoffs Despite a Bad Start

Although the NFL season is just six weeks old, certain teams are in trouble. There are a slew of teams that have started off badly, and making the postseason looks to be like an unachievable goal. However, there are still five teams that can still make the playoffs despite their slow start.

These teams can not only make the playoffs, but they can still win their division.

San Diego Chargers

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 17: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on October 17, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Chargers 20-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Odds to win the AFC West: 1 to 1

(Odds from BetMania)

The Chargers are 2-4 overall and have yet to win a road game. They are off a somewhat embarrassing loss to the resurgent St. Louis Rams and need to win now. That’s the bad news.

The good news is they have one of the better offenses in the NFL as they lead the NFL in passing and quarterback Phillip Rivers is having a monster season. The defense ranks first in opposing passing yards and sixth in opposing rushing yards, and they have six games left at home. The Chargers are playing horribly, yet sit just one game out of the lead in the AFC West. If Tight End Antonio Gates is healthy the Chargers can still win the West.

Minnesota Vikings

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: (L-R) Brett Favre #4, Randy Moss #84 and Percy Harvin #12 of the Minnesota Vikings huddle up on offense against the New York Jets at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by

Odds to win the NFC North: 2 to 1

(Odds from BetMania)

This team could get a jump start from the recent win over the Dallas Cowboys. They won the game with special teams and defense and a little luck. They currently sit just two games out of first, which is somewhat remarkable considering the lousy start to the season.

The two other contenders for the division have hit a rough patch and are very vulnerable. The Chicago Bears need to find a way to protect quarterback Jay Cutler, and the Green Bay Packers are decimated by injuries. The Vikings have two games left against each of them and still have a shot at winning the division.

San Francisco 49ers

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Vernon Davis #85 of the San Francisco 49ers runs on to the field for their game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Odds to win the NFC West: 5 to 1

(Odds from BetMania)

Jed York, the owner of the 49ers, tweeted last week that his team would make the playoffs. Last Sunday, they took the first step in that goal by beating the Oakland Raiders. They are in last place in the NFC West but only two games separate them from first place. They went back to basics against the Raiders and ran the ball successfully putting up 158 yards.

If they can continue to do that, it will open up the passing game and take pressure off quarterback Alex Smith. The out of division schedule is littered with teams with a record below .500, and that still gives the 49ers a chance at the playoffs.

Denver Broncos

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 10: Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos passes against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Players wore pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Ravens defeated the

Odds to win the AFC West: 10 to 1

(Odds from BetMania)

Denver lost a game against the Jets last Sunday on a pass interference call, but showed they are a tough team to beat. They are winning on the arm of quarterback Kyle Orton, as he is having career year. The running game got a boost with the return of Knowshon Moreno to the lineup. The defense seems to be the Achilles heel of this team, but they looked vastly improved against the Jets.

The Broncos, like the Chargers, are just one game out of the division lead. Of the remaining 10 games on the schedule the Broncos face just three teams with a winning record to include division leader Kansas City. That gives them as good a chance of anyone to win the division and make the playoffs.

Dallas Cowboys

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass for a touchdown as Lito Sheppard #29 of the Minnesota Vikings misses the tackle during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapo

Odds to win the NFC East: 12 to 1

(Odds from BetMania)

This is a good football team. The main mistakes they make on the field are self inflicted and could easily be avoided. In the recent loss to Minnesota, penalties and turnovers were the main culprit. They actually out gained Minnesota in total yards 314-188, but still lost the game. Their defense is fourth best in passing yards allowed and ninth in rushing yards allowed.

Although they currently reside in the basement of the NFC East, they still have a pair of games left against the Eagles and the Giants, giving them a chance to still win the division.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail]