NFL Week 12 Predictions: Teams That Will Keep Playoff Hopes Alive with Victories

While teams aren't usually going to clinch a playoff spot in Week 12, they can often dash their playoff hopes by this point. There are tons of teams that are in the middle tier of the league and fighting for a place in the postseason, and they would be helped immensely by a win this weekend.

It may seem like the season is nearing its conclusion, but there are still six weeks left, so there is time for teams to move up the ladder. Here are three teams that while they may not ultimately make the playoffs, will keep their hopes alive with wins on Sunday.

Tennessee Titans

After a couple of rough outings against the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers, it looked as though the Tennessee Titans' hopes of winning the AFC South were in trouble. They have bounced back and evened their record to 5-5, though, and currently sit just two games behind the Texans.

The Titans now have new hope as well because Texans quarterback Matt Schaub is out for the season, meaning the shaky Matt Leinart will have to lead them to the postseason. The Titans can only worry about themselves, however, so a win against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend would be a huge boost.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck left Tennessee's game against the Atlanta Falcons last week, but is expected to start on Sunday. When you combine that with running back Chris Johnson's resurgence, Tampa's poor defense could be in for a rough day.

The Titans have been playing much better of late, so with home-field advantage, they should be able to get past the Bucs.

New York Jets

The New York Jets have been quite a schizophrenic team this season, and they are currently embroiled in one of their bad spells. The Jets have lost consecutive games to the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos and are a game out of the playoffs with a record of 5-5.

Rex Ryan's team isn't much different from the one that has gone to two straight AFC Championship Games, so it's hard to figure why they have struggled so much. Regardless of their problems, though, the Jets have the perfect opponent to cure their ills this weekend as they get set to host the suddenly sliding Buffalo Bills.

The Bills are decimated by injuries, including a season-ending one to running back Fred Jackson. Run defense has been one of the Jets' biggest problems, but without Jackson, the Bills probably won't be able to exploit it. Teams have also moved the ball at will on the Bills lately, so Mark Sanchez and Co. will likely be able to right the ship on Sunday.

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers missed the playoffs last season due to a slow start. They made sure that wouldn't happen again in 2011 by starting off 4-1. A mid-season slump that has seen them lose five consecutive games leaves them two games behind the Oakland Raiders in the AFC West, though, and on the brink of oblivion.

Nobody would argue with the Chargers' exceptional talent level, but their defense has failed to make opportune stops and quarterback Philip Rivers has uncharacteristically thrown more interceptions than touchdowns.

If that weren't bad enough, the Bolts will face the Denver Broncos who have won four of five games since Tim Tebow took over at quarterback, and they are a game ahead of the Chargers.

Denver's success doesn't seem sustainable, though, as they can't get anything going through the air. In terms of yardage allowed, San Diego's defense has been solid, so I think they can handle the Broncos.

Rivers is also overdue for a big game, and I think he will light up Denver's overachieving offense to keep San Diego's dimly lit playoff hopes alive.