NFL Week 10: 5 Teams To Watch at Playoff Time

We are officially in Week 10 of the NFL and the parity has its hands everywhere with 18 teams at or above .500.  It's not certain who has what it takes to rise to the top, with the exception of still unbeaten Green Bay who has the ability to make some noise?  There is no denying that the Packers are clearly the cream of the crop in the NFL, but please do not expect them to run the table.  There are far too many teams that can catch Green Bay by surprise. 

The only other teams that seem to have a firm hold on a playoff spot are the Houston Texans: whom after losing DE Mario Williams for the season and WR Andre Johnson for a lengthy stint, are 6-3 and only have threats coming from Tennessee and more injuries.  The other team is the 49ers who I'm surprised about the fact they have yet to clinch the division with Seattle and Arizona both being 2-6.  These are the only other teams that are safe bets for making the playoffs. 

What about the other teams?  Who can make the playoffs and actually make some noise?  Well I have five teams that may be primed and ready for a long run and are Super Bowl sleepers.  

New York Giants

The New York Giants lost key members to the secondary early in the preseason and Osi Umenyiora has been nicked up.  They will be without leading rusher Ahmad Bradshaw versus the 49ers, but the key to their season has been the play of QB Eli Manning, who has thrown close to 2,400 yards with 15 touchdowns and only six interceptions. 

If it wasn't for Aaron Rodgers' great season, Eli would be a solid choice for NFL MVP.  The road does get bumpy for the Giants, though, as they face the Eagles, Saints and Packers in consecutive weeks after today's game in San Fransisco.  If they survive that stretch, all signs will look promising. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

The most scrutinized team in Roger Goodell's office is the Pittsburgh Steelers.  They are also the most curious team in the NFL.  Coach Mike Tomlin preaches toughness.  He coaches the Steelers with an "us against the world" mentality and it works just fine, as long as they don't have to play the Baltimore Ravens in the regular season again. 

QB Ben Roethlisberger has had some great games this year and some clunkers, but he has Super Bowl rings and once this team gets rolling, look out!  The one thing working against them is history.  The team that was the runner-up in the previous Super Bowl usually struggles the following year.  Again, if they get rolling, look out!

Baltimore Ravens

Let's say that this is the year that Baltimore figures it out.  Let's say they put all of their struggles with inferior teams behind them and look like the team that swept the Steelers this season.  The Ravens are always a dark horse with Ray Lewis still a top performer and Terrell Suggs is still a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. 

Not to mention top five running back Ray Rice and QB Joe Flacco coming on strong as of late.  As long as they stop playing down to the level of their opponents, and with only Cincinnati (twice), San Fransisco and San Diego left as threats on the schedule, the Ravens can turn the tide and get a first-round bye in the playoffs as they are in charge of their fate. 

New England Patroits

It doesn't matter what their record says or how bad they have looked in the last few weeks, the Patriots will be around.  Until they are out, they are always contenders.  Bill Belichick will have his team ready and not so long ago, Tom Brady was the best QB in the business.  As a team, the Patriots are first in passing yards and can run up the score. 

Even with a defense that has slowed down, especially the secondary being tattered and torn, Brady is capable of putting New England on his back and taking them to the promiseland.  After the Jets game tonight, only the Eagles and Buffalo stand in their way.

Chicago Bears

All of the other teams are good teams that can potentially be great, but the one team to worry about the most is Green Bay's biggest rivals, the Chicago Bears.  Familiarity is the Bears greatest strength and the fact that they are finding their identity now makes them dangerous.  The defense is back to its ways with Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Julius Peppers being dominate forces. 

After the Monday loss to the Lions a few weeks ago, coach Lovie Smith switched his safeties and went young and it has paid off.  Also, new-found life in the running game with Matt (Pay the Man) Forte and a determined QB in Jay Cutler has the Bears peaking at the right time.  A very beatable AFC West schedule sets them up nicely.  All the Bears have to do to improve on their status?  Catch Detroit and pass them by.