NFL Playoff Predictions: Projecting the Top Postseason Offenses

As we inch towards the end of the 2011 NFL season and start eyeing the playoffs, we need to start examining which teams are the most well set up for success in the postseason. While it is often said that defense wins championships, in today's NFL offenses rule, so it wouldn't be a shock if a top offensive team were to win Super Bowl XLVI.

Here is my list and breakdown of the top offenses that I think will be headed to the playoffs this year. In some cases, those offenses may make up for shoddy defenses and actually be the catalyst for a title.

Green Bay Packers

This really shouldn't be a surprise. While the Packers don't have the NFL's top offense statistically, it is hard to argue they aren't the league's top offensive unit.

The 11-0 Packers are averaging 401.3 yards per game, which is currently fourth in the NFL, and are scoring a league-high 34.7 points per game. Green Bay currently ranks third in passing yards (304.1 per game) but is just 28th in rushing yards (97.2 per game). But that really doesn't matter when you've got Aaron Rodgers slinging the ball all over the field.

Rodgers may be having the best season for a quarterback in NFL history. Through 11 games, the 27-year-old has completed 260-of-362 passes for 3,475 yards, with an NFL-best 33 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He currently leads the NFL in touchdown passes, completion percentage (71.8), yards per attempt (9.60) and quarterback rating (127.7). In fact, his passer rating is actually 22.6 points higher than second place (Tom Brady 105.1).

Green Bay has not been stopped or even slowed down by an opponent this season. Until someone proves they can actually slow the Packers prolific offense down, they will be the favorites to win their second straight Super Bowl.

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints enter tonight's Monday night matchup with the New York Giants with a 7-3 record, and that is thanks to their outstanding offense.

The Saints currently lead the NFL in total yards (436.9 per game) and passing offense (319.4 yards per game), while they are second in points per game with 31.3.

For the Saints, it all starts at quarterback, and Drew Brees is one of the best the NFL has to offer right now. Brees is likely headed for his sixth Pro Bowl, and through 10 games, he has completed 299-of-422 passes (70.9 percent) for 3,326 yards, with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His 101.3 quarterback rating ranks third in the NFL.

The Saints can also run the ball, as they are averaging 117.5 yards per game on the ground (14th in the league). To get those yards, they have done an effective job of using a combination of Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and rookie Mark Ingram, and that will likely continue in the playoffs. 

The Saints are dangerous because they can beat you through the air but have the ability to grind out tough yards on the ground as well. They'll be tough to stop in the postseason.

New England Patriots

Once again, the Patriots have proven to be an offensive juggernaut. Quarterback Tom Brady is having another stellar season and has his offense ranked second in the NFL in yards per game (429.5). The Pats are also third in the NFL in points per game, averaging 30.1.

New England improved to 8-3 on Sunday thanks to a 38-20 thrashing of the Philadelphia Eagles. While the team's defense ranks dead last in the NFL in yards allowed (409.8 per game), the offense has been so good that it really hasn't mattered.

Like the Saints, the Patriots have dominated through the air (319.1 yards per game) but have also had success on the ground (110.4 yards per game). 

Brady is having yet another incredible season, as he has completed 277-of-421 passes (65.8 percent) for an NFL-high 3,627 yards, with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His quarterback rating of 105.1 ranks second in the league.

In the postseason, betting against a Tom Brady-led offense would be foolish. He has proven time and again that he is one of the best clutch performers in NFL history, and his offense should lead the way for New England when the postseason arrives.

Houston Texans

I know this pick may not make a whole lot of sense to most observers, but even with quarterback Matt Schaub on injured reserve and lost for the season, I think the Houston Texans will be dangerous on offense.

Backup signal-caller Matt Leinart stepped in and looked great on Sunday...then he broke his collarbone and was lost for the season. So now it looks as if the recently-signed Kellen Clemens or rookie T.J. Yates will take over for the 8-3 Texans and try to guide them in the postseason. 

It shouldn't matter who is taking snaps for the Texans, because their offense is almost completely based on Arian Foster and the team's stellar running game. Houston is currently third in the NFL in rushing yards (151.7 yards per game), and that has helped them check in with the league's eighth-ranked offense overall (379.7 yards per game). 

A healthy Andre Johnson will help Clemens or Yates, as will fellow receiver Kevin Walter and tight end Owen Daniels. 

While things won't be the same without an experience quarterback, I still expect Houston to be dangerous offensively in the playoffs.