NFL Playoff Picture: Top Challengers to Green Bay Packers' NFC Supremacy

The Green Bay Packers’ gaudy 11-0 start has established them as the prohibitive favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.  If any team is going to surprise Aaron Rodgers and company, though, this trio has the best shot:

New Orleans Saints

As brilliant as Green Bay’s offense has been this season, their pass defense (ranked 31st in the league) has been a mess.  The Saints nearly won in Green Bay on opening night by exploiting the Packers' secondary to the tune of 419 passing yards in a 42-34 defeat.

A rematch in the postseason would likely play out similarly, but it would only take a few breaks for Drew Brees’ squad to come out on the right side of a close game.  With New Orleans’ backfield committee finally getting healthy, they’re the biggest threat Green Bay could face in the NFC playoffs.

Atlanta Falcons

Don’t think for a second that Atlanta doesn’t remember what Green Bay did to them in last year’s 48-21 playoff slaughter.  The revenge factor could be just the edge Matt Ryan and company need in what could be a big-time shootout.

Atlanta’s offense struggled at home against the Pack in week five, but the Falcon D also held Rodgers to just 25 points in the loss.  The odds are that both offenses would put in better showings in a rematch, but with star rookie Julio Jones hitting his stride, Atlanta has enough weapons to be a legitimate upset prospect.

Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler’s injury leaves the Bears down, but far from out where the postseason is concerned. The Chicago offense has ridden Matt Forte all season and will continue to do so regardless of who’s under center.

Assuming Chicago gets as far as a postseason date with Green Bay, Cutler could potentially be back, but the real key will be Chicago's defense.  Even Rodgers will have to be on his game to avoid turning the ball over against the aggressive Bears.