2010 NFL Playoffs: Non-Contenders Who Could Alter the Landscape

Most NFL fans will be focused on the “big” games in the coming weeks – that is, two teams fighting for a playoff spot. This is completely understandable; there's a lot of appeal in watching the Jets and Patriots go head-to-head for the division title, or potentially seeing Seattle and St. Louis play a winner-take-all game in Week 17. But the seemingly routine games – more specifically, a playoff contender going against a back-marker – are just as important to deciding the playoffs. It's easy for a 9-4 contender to look past a 3-10 opponent, but the next thing you know, the 3-10 team has won the game, and a playoff berth is a lot less certain.

 Don't believe me? Ask the Houston Texans, who went 9-7 last year and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker; I bet they'd love to have back that 34-7 drubbing in Week 14 by a 5-11 Seattle team. Or ask Philadelphia, who was a six-seed at 11-5 after losing the division tiebreaker; it's a shame they couldn't beat Oakland (5-11) back in Week 6. Those losses may be seen as flukes, but fluke losses count just as much as “legitimate” losses in the standings. With that in mind, here are ten teams that are out or barely on the edge of playoff contention – but still could have a lot to say about who does get in. (Teams are sorted in ascending order of their remaining schedule strength.)

 10. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-7)

Schedule: @ Arizona, @ Green Bay, Seattle, @ San Diego, @ St. Louis, Arizona

Combined: 27-33

San Francisco is technically still in contention for a division title, but it's hard to imagine a 3-7 team coming back – even in the NFC West. Still, the 49ers have plenty chance to help paint the playoff picture, with trips to Green Bay and San Diego sandwiched among their four division games. They may not win the division, but they could could make it so there's a lot on the line for other teams in Week 17.

9. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-7)

Schedule: @ Washington, Buffalo, NY Giants, Chicago, @ Philadelphia, @ Detroit

Combined Record: 29-31

A lot of people look at the Philadelphia-NY Giants rematch in Week 15 as the key to the NFC East, but Minnesota plays both teams in the weeks before and after. It's unknown how the Vikings will respond under interim coach Leslie Frazier. If they respond well, then the Eagles and Giant won't just be fighting for playoff seeding – they'll be fighting to get in, period.

8. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (5-5)

Schedule: Minnesota, @ NY Giants, Tampa Bay, @ Dallas, @ Jacksonville, NY Giants

Combined Record: 31-29

The Redskins may well be the most erratic team in the NFL. They beat the Eagles in Philadelphia, then got shellacked by them in Washington; they beat Green Bay and Chicago (both 7-3), then lost to a 2-8 Detroit team. It's this inconsistency that makes them a threat down the stretch. With two games against the Giants and one against Tampa Bay, the Redskins have opportunities to shake the snow globe; here's hoping to their opponents that they catch Washington on a bad day.

7. TENNESSEE TITANS (5-5)

Schedule: @ Houston, Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Houston, @ Kansas City, @ Indianapolis

Combined Record: 32-28

Tennessee may still be in the playoff race, but they earn a spot on this list on account of becoming a complete mess – they've lost three straight, their new big name receiver has one catch in two games, they're down to their third-string quarterback, and the coach hates the owner's guts. Yet the Titans play five of their last six games against division opponents, including two against Indianapolis and a rematch against a Jaguars them that the manhandled in Jacksonville. (For good measure, their sixth games is against current AFC West leader Kansas City.) Make no mistake – the Titans will decide who represents the AFC South in the playoffs.

 6. HOUSTON TEXANS (4-6)

Schedule: Tennessee, @ Philadelphia, Baltimore, @ Tennessee, @ Denver, Jacksonville

Combined Record: 33-27

It's hard to believe that this Houston team was once 4-2 and leading the division. Now they're well on their way to playing for pride. They have the ability on offense to beat any of the teams remaining on the schedule – the question is whether they'll ever actually try to play defense (30^th in scoring defense, 32^nd in Defensive Passer Rating).

5. CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-9)

Schedule: @ Cleveland, @ Seattle, Atlanta, Arizona, @ Pittsburgh, @ Atlanta

Combined Record: 34-26

Yes, Carolina is a mess – they can't score, and they can't stop their opponents from scoring. But strange things happen in the NFL. Witness Tampa Bay, who won three games last year – two of which came against the 11-win Packers and the Super Bowl Champion Saints. Or go back to 2004, when a 1-11 Miami team beat an 11-1 New England team (who also won the Super Bowl). The lesson: don't get caught napping. Even against the Panthers.

4. BUFFALO BILLS (2-8)

Schedule: Pittsburgh, @ Minnesota, Cleveland, @ Miami, New England, @ NY Jets

Combined Record: 34-26

Buffalo bravely faced eight consecutive teams that are currently 0.500 or better to start the season, before finally getting off the mat against fellow back-markers Detroit and Cincinnati. Their reward? Three more games against teams with at least a share of a division lead. Their best chance to alter the season may beat against Pittsburgh; the Jets creamed them in week 4, and New England has beaten Buffalo in 14 straight games. Oh Buffalo, how the Football Gods hath tortured thee.

3. DALLAS COWBOYS (3-7)

Schedule: New Orleans, @ Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington, @ Arizona, @ Philadelphia

Combined Record: 35-25

The 'Boys suddenly look competitive again, and now they have a chance to show whether this burst is legit or a Texas mirage. For Thanksgiving, they lay out the mat for New Orleans – whose bid at perfection Dallas ended last year – then gear up for two games against Philadelphia, whom they beat thrice last year by an average score of 26-10. Add in a visit to the now mortal-looking Colts, and America's Team may yet wear the black hat this season.

2. DETROIT LIONS (2-8)

Schedule: New England, Chicago, Green Bay, @ Tampa Bay, @ Miami, @ Minnesota

Combined Record: 37-23

Detroit truly is a better team than their record indicates; six of their losses were by eight points or less. Now they play four straight games against teams that are currently 7-3 or better, including consecutive home games against NFC North co-leaders Chicago and Green Bay. The Lion lost to these two teams by a combined seven points on the road earlier this season; now they have a chance to derail the playoff hopes for one of them.

1. CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-8)

Schedule: @ NY Jets, New Orleans, @ Pittsburgh, Cleveland, San Diego, @ Baltimore

Combined Record: 37-23

The Bengals look like an absolute mess right now after getting outscored 35-0 in the second half against Buffalo. Yet Cincinnati always gets up for divisional games – they beat Baltimore earlier this year before their free fall started – and they still have to visit AFC North leaders. Revenge is surely on the teams' mind this Thursday night as well, after the Jet beat them two weeks in a row to end last season. As Terrell Owens once said, getcha popcorn ready!