NFL Playoff Predictions 2011: Best Case Playoff Scenarios for All Contenders

We're halfway through the 2011 NFL season, and as teams enter the second half of action it's a good idea to take a forward look at what the best case scenarios would be for all the contenders so far.

Taking teams' current schedules, quality of play and a few intangibles that make sense only to me, the teams with playoff potential have been broken down into the categories of:

-Just missing the playoffs

-Playoffs-Wild Card Round

-Playoffs-Divisional Round

-Playoffs-Conference Championship

-Super Bowl 

-Super Bowl Winner

The scenarios may border on the far-fetched, but that's why this is the best case scenario slideshow, and not the breakdown of statistically significant scenarios.

Here are the best case scenarios for all of the postseason contenders.

Cincinnati Bengals

Team Record: 6-2

I hate to rain on the feel good parade that has been the Cincinnati Bengals' season up to this point. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has exceeded all expectations, and the team has found scrappy ways to grab wins.

However, I think the next month will be the month this success is tempered in a major way. Two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and one on the road against the Baltimore Ravens could spell three ugly losses. 

Should the Bengals be able to leave their Week 13 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 7-5 or better (their game against the reeling Cleveland Browns is winnable), then the Bengals might have more room to talk about their postseason chances.

This team has had limited success against fellow playoff teams, and until they do I'm not ready to buy into them yet.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Wild Card Round

Houston Texans

Team Record: 6-3

Like their NFC West pal San Francisco 49ers, the Houston Texans are nearly guaranteed a playoff spot on virtue of their division rivals stinking so badly. 

The Indianapolis Colts may not get a win this season if they can't top the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jaguars are so bad they're considered the only potential win for the Colts and the Tennessee Titans' schedule does not look too friendly right about now.

With that said, I'm not crazy about this team's chances once in the playoffs. While the running attack of Arian Foster and Ben Tate has been sensational, the effectiveness of deep threat Andre Johnson will play a big role in how they'll work against opposing defenses.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Divisional Round

New England Patriots

Team Record: 5-3

While the New England Patriots' late loss to the New York Giants is humbling (especially given the comparison to the tough Super Bowl loss to the Giants a few years ago), the Patriots should have reason to be upbeat.

Their offense is still moving effectively (Tom Brady to Wes Welker is an incredibly dangerous duo), and the team for the most part has a stellar track record in must-win games.

However, Sunday's game showed the defense is the major question mark. If the defense can tighten up to close the season, this team could be a major threat. If not, they could be packing up early.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Conference Championship

San Diego Chargers

Team Record: 4-4

Another year, another frustratingly inconsistent San Diego Chargers team under head coach Norv Turner.

The Chargers, who fell to the Green Bay Packers last Sunday, have been struggling to escape a label that they are underachievers. Now on a three-game losing streak, they will need a good performance to drop division rival Oakland Raiders Thursday night.

Fortunately for the Chargers, they may be bailed out by how terrible their division is. 

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Wild Card Round

Baltimore Ravens

Team Record: 6-2

There is a lot to be excited about with this Baltimore Ravens' squad. The defense is imposing as usual, while the offense has appeared to take a major step up in the past few weeks.

Ray Rice has been consistent in the ground attack, while Joe Flacco has made a step up in his efforts. It was his pass to rookie Torrey Smith that sealed the game Sunday night against division rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

If they can keep this momentum going forward, they are going to be tough to handle for any potential playoff opponent.

Best case scenario: Super Bowl Winner

Pittsburgh Steelers

Team Record: 6-3

Losing the season series to the Baltimore Ravens has to sting, but in reality the Pittsburgh Steelers should be comfortable in how they've performed so far. 

Despite the Ravens losses and falling to the Houston Texans, the Ravens did post an impressive win over the red-hot New England Patriots. They also avoided trap games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona Cardinals.

While these wins are satisfying now, it does bring some concern for how they will fare against tough playoff competition. While the Steelers never fail to impress with the effort they bring for the postseason, one has to wonder if it will be enough to cover the talent deficiencies in portions of the defense.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Divisional Round

New York Jets

Team Record: 5-3

In a three-way split between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, one has to wonder whether the New York Jets could be the team to get lost in the shuffle.

While the Jets did win impressively over the Bills last week, they did suffer a string of painful losses in September to the Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and Patriots on the road.

They now face a rematch with the Patriots, which could say a lot about tiebreakers should the need arise at the end of the season.

Should they get in, the team's lack of offensive scoring could come to haunt them, even though they've excelled in limiting opponents' points.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Wild Card Round

Buffalo Bills

Team Record: 5-3

They may have just lost to the New York Jets, but I still see the Buffalo Bills as a real danger should they land in the playoffs.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is in the midst of a career year, while the addition of running back Fred Jackson has given this team a wrinkle that they haven't had in years past. 

The team will need a solid performance against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend, but afterwards have winnable out-of-division games against the Tennessee Titans and the Denver Broncos.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Divisional Round

Tennessee Titans

Team Record: 4-4

With the problems of the AFC South this season, the Tennessee Titans will probably kick themselves for missing out on such a golden opportunity to steal the division.

Should the team miss out on the postseason, the blame will most likely fall on running back Chris Johnson. After signing a new contract in the offseason, his play has taken a substantial dip from his normal levels.

Without his production, the team has been forced to over rely on aging quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. As he goes, so do the Titans.

Based on the win total, his output has been good about half the time.

Best case scenario: Just missing the playoffs

Kansas City Chiefs

Team Record: 4-4

In the midst of the 4-4 logjam that is the AFC West, it's tough to say who really has the edge in grabbing an elusive playoff spot.

Consider the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite injuries to its best defensive and offensive players, the team was able (until its blowout loss to the lowly Miami Dolphins) to run a four-game winning streak. 

The loss didn't make a whole lot of sense, but then again this is a team (and head coach) that has a way of seeming just a little bit off. 

The Chiefs can do a lot to help their cause if they can hold off the Denver Broncos Sunday, who at 3-5 are only one game off the division pace. 

They will want the win before entering a wicked schedule stretch which includes the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and New York Jets.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Wild Card Round

Oakland Raiders

Team Record: 4-4

While this team came out strong in the opening half of the season, the injury to quarterback Jason Campbell has completely shifted this team's postseason hopes. 

Newly acquired Carson Palmer is still learning the new system, and in this learning period he's prone to make mistakes. Given the high price of acquiring Palmer, team management will have serious thoughts on how to proceed with Palmer going toward next season.

The defense and special teams were surprisingly exposed last week against the Denver Broncos, allowing their division rival to seemingly score at will.

Not a good sign for a team with limited room for missteps.

Best case scenario: Just missing the playoffs

Denver Broncos

Team Record: 3-5

There should be no way that the Denver Broncos are even close to whiffing a playoff shot, but given the topsy turvy nature of the AFC West, they're still in the hunt.

The Broncos, only one game back of their division rivals, were able to scoop off a game from the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, but I'm not sure that success will continue. 

Quarterback Tim Tebow is still lacking as a passer, which is not a good sign for a team that has latched their playoff hopes to his development. 

Best case scenario: Just missing the playoffs

Green Bay Packers

Team Record: 8-0

This Green Bay Packers team is performing off the charts, and it's tough to imagine what team will be able to beat them. Enough has been written about why they're doing well, so let's look at their weaknesses.

1) The team's defense has looked vulnerable in the past few weeks. While the offense has been able to score its way out of problems, it's only a matter of time when the passes don't line up.

2) The Packers lack of a run game will make things harder the deeper they go in the playoffs. When they want to burn time off the clock, their options are limited. When the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field makes passing impossible, who are they going to turn to?

With that said, count on the Packers to be near locks for Indianapolis and the Super Bowl.

Best case scenario: Super Bowl Winner

San Francisco 49ers

Team Record: 7-1

With the struggles of their NFC West rivals, the San Francisco 49ers may be able to all but lock a playoff spot by the end of the month. 

Carrying an underrated defense and a consistent running threat in Frank Gore, this Niners team might have what it takes to pick up a win or two.

Most interesting to watch: Whether or not the offensive line, that has really shined in recent weeks, will be able to hold up under additional scrutiny.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Conference Championship

New York Giants

Team Record: 6-2

A dramatic win over the New England Patriots has the New York Giants feeling on top of the world.

Despite the win, the Giants shouldn't get too comfortable: They hold a slim lead over their division rivals, and face a tricky second-half schedule.

Should they get through to the playoffs, the Giants have shown they can hang around with anybody.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Conference Championship

New Orleans Saints

Team Record: 6-3

With the Atlanta Falcons breathing right down their neck, the New Orleans Saints know their margin for error is as slim as it can get. A game against Atlanta this weekend should say a lot about what this team can do.

Even if they do win, there is reason for some concern. The team has struggled at inopportune times, including an upset loss to the St. Louis Rams.

It may find the same difficulties come playoff time.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Divisional Round

Detroit Lions

Team Record: 6-2

If not for that team up in Green Bay, the Detroit Lions would be the toast of the NFC right now. Emerging from the never-ending abyss that was their past 10 seasons, the Lions have found balance in both their offense and defense to compile a solid 6-2 record.

While the team should be concerned about flat performances in losses to the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, the team should also be worried about the health of running back Jahvid Best. Best's playing status is in question after sustaining a concussion (adding to a long list of head injuries to the young rusher).

Should the Lions keep their injury woes to a minimum, this squad could be making a push for the big stage.

Best case scenario: Super Bowl

Chicago Bears

Team Record: 5-3

As I write this slide, two thoughts come to mind.

1) The Bears showed in wins over the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles that they're a pretty good squad.

2) I don't think they're good enough to beat division rivals Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.

With that in mind, any playoff shot they would get would stem from a wild-card opportunity. I'm not saying it's totally out of the running, but it doesn't seem like they have the best of odds.

They get a chance to prove me wrong this Sunday, as they play the Lions hoping for redemption from a 13-24 loss a few weeks ago.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Divisional Round

Atlanta Falcons

Team Record: 5-3

With their major matchup against the New Orleans Saints coming up, the Atlanta Falcons have some signs of being a team to beat.

Matt Ryan is seeing improvement from his receivers, primarily Julio Jones, while the running game led by running back Michael Turner is putting up very respectable numbers.

It's clear the battle for division supremacy will not be decided until the very end of the season.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Wild Card Round

Dallas Cowboys

Team Record: 4-4

While this team has a lot to be excited about in the rise of rookie rusher DeMarco Murray, I'm not sold this squad is one that's a major playoff threat.

The team is struggling with depth at the wide receiver position (especially after the injury to Miles Austin), and the team's defense has come up short late in matchups against the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots.

Should they be able to get past Buffalo Sunday, it would do a lot in closing the gap to the NFC East-leading New York Giants.

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Wild Card Round

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Team Record: 4-4

I'm not totally sold on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but I definitely see where I could be wrong. The team has won two of its three division matchups, and has hung tough against the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.

More disappointing for this team are losses like their blowout defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.

With the number of quality wild-card teams this year, it may be too much to ask for the Buccaneers to pull out an unlikely playoff spot.

Best case scenario: Just missing the playoffs

Philadelphia Eagles

Team Record: 3-5

I understand it might be tough to understand why the Philadelphia Eagles make the list of playoff contenders. They can't seem to step up against tough competition. They struggle in the fourth quarter. However, I'm staying optimistic for two reasons:

1) The NFC East is not all that hot. Even with all the problems the Eagles have seen in their first eight games, they're only three games behind the division-leading New York Giants.

2) Cold-weather football is won most often on the ground…and the Eagles boast one of the league's most productive backs in LeSean McCoy (his 825 yards lead the league).

If the Eagles can navigate through a tricky second half of November (at New York Giants, vs. New England), a pair of manageable out-of-conference games to start December could really turn momentum in their favor. 

Best case scenario: Playoffs-Wild Card Round