NFL Playoff Picture: 5 Teams on the Outside Looking in

As the current NFL playoff picture sits right now, the following five teams are on the outside looking in on postseason play in 2011:

Detroit Lions (7-4)

There was no shame in losing to the undefeated Packers on Thanksgiving, but the Lions will have to somehow claw their way back into the playoff picture without Ndamukong Suh for at least two games. Detroit's defense really suffered without him in the second half. It doesn't help that both the Chicago Bears (7-4) and Atlanta Falcons (7-4) hold tiebreakers over the Lions. With a remaining schedule that includes New Orleans, Oakland and Green Bay, Detroit might stay on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff picture.

New York Giants (6-5)

Remember when the Giants were 6-2 and the class of the NFC East? Those days are long gone after their recent three-game losing streak. Monday night's drubbing in New Orleans is the low point in what now looks like a season that's on the brink of collapse. The Giants still sit just two games back from the Cowboys, and they have two games left with Dallas, but New York also has to host the Packers this Sunday and the Jets in Week 16. The schedule has simply taken its toll on the Giants down the stretch.

Denver Broncos (6-5)

It's still hard to believe that this Broncos team even has a chance at the playoffs. Once 1-4, Denver has won five of its last six games and now sits just one game back from the Raiders in the AFC West and also the Cincinnati Bengals for the final AFC wildcard spot. The remaining schedule still has games against New England, Chicago and at Buffalo, but the Broncos will have a chance if the defense keeps playing as well as it has over the past month and a half. Also, the Broncos hold tiebreakers over the following two teams, which could be big if the Bengals falter over the final five games.

New York Jets (6-5)

What a roller coaster ride the past month has been for the Jets. They entered their Week 10 matchup with the Patriots ready to take a hold of the AFC East, but New England trampled them in their own back yard. Then, the Jets crash landed in Denver to fall to 5-5. Last Sunday's win over the Bills has put some life back into the Jets' season, but they'll still need some help to crack the final six in the AFC. The schedule shapes up nicely for New York, however. 10-6 certainly isn't out of the question.

Tennessee Titans (6-5)

The Titans are going to be an interesting team to watch for a couple of reasons. Not only do they face a schedule that includes Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Buffalo, but they also finish off their 2011 schedule with a date with the Houston Texans. How important might that Week 17 game be? The Texans are running dry on quarterback options and still have to face the Falcons and Bengals. The AFC South race may not be over just yet.