The One Obstacle Standing in the Way of These 10 Teams and a Super Bowl

As Week 10 action begins to wrap up, it's time to take a look at 10 teams who are currently vying for a Super Bowl run but have one major obstacle in their way.

I've chosen not to look at defending champion Green Bay, as they are (pending Monday Night Football) undefeated, and I'm also taking a shot in the dark at who some of the other true contenders might be.

Here's a look at the one obstacle standing between these 10 teams and a Super Bowl.

1. Detroit Lions

Obstacle: Run Game

The Lions have really developed their passing game with a healthy Matthew Stafford at quarterback and Calvin Johnson at wide receiver, but they have struggled, as in years past, with running the football.

They've lost Jahvid Best for most of the season to injury and haven't gotten much from his replacements. Even with Best in, the Lions rushing attack was more of a hit or miss thing, capable of some huge plays but equally likely to get stuffed at the line.

Getting a quality running back behind Stafford will really allow the Lions to open things up.

Also a Problem:

Run defense; playoff experience.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

Obstacle: Third Down Defense

This is the biggest problem for a team who's cycled through a bunch of issues this year as they try to go back to the Super Bowl the year after losing dramatically to the Green Bay Packers.

The Steelers have been very good on first and second down but have done very poorly on third downs. This problem came to a head against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9, when Joe Flacco and his offense were able to convert on 14 third downs.

That changed the entire complexion of that game.

The Steelers must focus on more man and press coverage on third downs and also on creating pressure with more than a three-man rush when it comes to this down. Those changes would bring what the team does well on early downs to play on third.

Also a Problem:

Red zone offense; play calling

3. New York Giants

Obstacle: Consistency

This team has a huge problem with consistency.

It stems a lot from the play of quarterback Eli Manning, who can follow up a big pass play with a turnover like no one else in the league. He may be the most inconsistent quarterback on a playoff-caliber team.

The Giants running game also lacks consistency, a lot of which comes from the play selection of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. The Giants cannot use Brandon Jacobs effectively by using him on toss plays and also seem at a loss for surviving without Ahmad Bradshaw.

Defensively, the Giants are pretty solid, but they could use a little bit more consistency on the pass rush. They've survived some injuries on defense, which makes their work on that side of the ball very impressive.

Also a Problem:

Receiver drops; injuries

4. New England Patriots

Obstacle: Defense

The Patriots have not been very good on defense and are either at the bottom or near the bottom in virtually every category this year. They are a very young defensive team at most positions, but they also don't have very good technique.

The secondary is of particular concern, as it has been routinely torched by quarterbacks. The corners and safeties don't tackle well and are also, as a group, a liability in coverage. This forces the linebackers to help, which removes rushers.

The Patriots can't generate much pressure either despite having a large defensive line. They swung and missed in acquiring Albert Haynesworth. That only magnifies their issues in this department.

Also a Problem:

Wide receiver talent; Tom Brady turnovers

5. Baltimore Ravens

Obstacle: Consistency

This is another team who is maddeningly inconsistent.

One week, the Ravens are winning a huge game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another, they are struggling with bottom-dwellers like Arizona, Jacksonville and Seattle.

They're almost an inside-out team.

The Ravens of 2011 remind me a lot of some old Pittsburgh teams under Bill Cowher who could get up and win any big game but played down to other teams beneath their level of talent. The Ravens are better than teams who are beating them or almost beating them.

That can't continue.

The play of Joe Flacco has been both good and bad as well. He seems to follow the Ravens' team trend of playing down to lesser teams.

Also a Problem:

Consistency in the secondary; Joe Flacco's play

6. New Orleans Saints

Obstacle: Secondary

The New Orleans secondary just hasn't been that good.

Like the New England Patriots, they get burned for big plays a lot. They also drop interceptions with great frequency, which has to be maddening for coach Sean Payton and coordinator Gregg Williams.

The Saints play mostly well, but the defense has been a bit of a weakness for them. A lot of the secondary issues stem from their inability to get consistent pressure on quarterbacks, but they do stop the run pretty well.

Patrick Robinson, a rookie, has looked like a rookie all year. Likewise, the team isn't getting plays from its veterans either and nearly allowed the Atlanta Falcons to win this week's game with a late touchdown. They had just enough to force overtime.

Also a Problem:

Consistency; defensive pressure

7. Houston Texans

Obstacle: Experience

The Texans have been a revelation this year for a fan base that has yearned for a true contender since their beginnings in 2002.

They might get their wish this year, as the Texans are in the AFC South driver's seat.

The only issue that could really derail a team with an improved defense, a star running back and a Pro Bowl quarterback is their lack of playoff experience.

We've seen this before. A team plays really well, surprises everyone, makes the playoffs and then falls apart in their first playoff game.

The Texans don't have the look of a team that could do that, but they did fall apart last year after looking like a sure wildcard team, and they've self-destructed in a few games in the last two years.

The true test for this team will likely be how they handle success.

Also a Problem:

Injuries

8. Oakland Raiders

Obstacle: Carson Palmer's Learning Curve

He's 1-1 as a starter and they are 1-2 in games he's played. That's OK, but this isn't the time of year for a playoff team to be breaking in a new quarterback.

Palmer clearly only knows a small portion of the offense and probably won't have the whole system under his belt until next season. That could be rough once it comes time to play the big games.

The Raiders have the inside track to win the AFC West and head to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Their only challenge seems to be the San Diego Chargers, a team they've already beaten with Palmer.

Palmer has been both great and awful in his new duds. Which player shows up with more consistency will be the key. The Raiders have talent everywhere, but they aren't a team who can win without great quarterback play.

Also a Problem:

Injuries; secondary

9. Dallas Cowboys

Obstacle: History

We've seen this all before.

The Cowboys march through the season, look like a team who will make noise in the playoffs thanks to the stunning play of Tony Romo and an improved defense and then lose their first playoff game of the year.

There are some warning signs this year. Romo has been solid. That's not an area of concern. His receivers haven't always been consistent, however. That is a concern.

The defense has been good this year, but they were destroyed by Michael Vick, who isn't exactly known for his passing prowess.

The Cowboys look like a team that will go to the playoffs, especially if they can hold on as the Giants collapse in the second half (which looks like it might happen again). I'm not sold on them making a deep run, because I'm not sure they can beat some of the better NFC teams.

Also a Problem:

Defensive pressure; consistency

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Obstacle: Youth

The Bengals have defied the odds this year and sit at 6-3 despite starting a rookie quarterback and rookie receiver and having an inconsistent running game.

They've won with an improved defense, who continues to respond to the coaching of Mike Zimmer, and also with Andy Dalton, easily the best quarterback of this year's draft class and a clear candidate for Rookie of the Year.

The problem is that rookie quarterbacks don't usually go to the Super Bowl. It's never happened. Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco have come close, but neither made the leap. The Bengals, if they can survive in the AFC North, would have to face one or both of those guys or Tom Brady.

I get the feeling that the Bengals might make it to the playoffs this year and that they'll be very dangerous for years to come now that they've matured a little, but I don't think this is their year.

Also a Problem:

Running game; secondary