NFL Playoff Picture: 5 Teams Surely Locked in to the Postseason

With five weeks to go in the 2011 NFL season, the following five teams should be locks to make the postseason.

Green Bay Packers (11-0)

The Packers picked up right where they left off last season by storming out to 11 straight wins in 2011.

They now hold a four-game lead in the NFC North with five games to go. They can clinch the division and a playoff spot this weekend in New York.

San Francisco 49ers (9-2)

No team in the NFL holds a larger lead in their division than the San Francisco 49ers.

At 9-2, they hold a five-game lead over the 4-7 Seahawks and Cardinals in the NFC West. A win over the Rams this week ensures a division title for the Niners.

From there, they'll try and tighten their hold on the NFC's No. 2 seed. 

Baltimore Ravens (8-3)

The Ravens currently hold a tiebreaker lead over the Steelers in the AFC North, but you have to look ahead to Baltimore's schedule to find out why they are a lock.

The Ravens play four straight teams with losing records before finishing the 2011 season with a road game in Cincinnati. While they've had problems beating the league's worst teams, Baltimore really should finish 13-3. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

The Steelers have to like their upcoming schedule, too. The Bengals come to Pittsburgh this Sunday, but then the Steelers only have the 49ers left on the schedule with a winning record.

Two games against the Browns and a visit from the Rams should be wins. I think the Steelers would do well to get to 13 wins, but 11 or 12 should be a virtual lock. 

New England Patriots (8-3)

Just three weeks ago, plenty of analysts were ready to write off the Patriots. The defense couldn't stop anyone. Tom Brady wasn't compensating. The Jets were about to take control of the AFC East. 

Today, that talk is long gone. The Patriots have won three straight games, including a beatdown in the Jets' backyard, and both the defense and Brady are playing at the level most expected.

Barring some unforeseen event, the Patriots should cruise into the playoffs with 11 or 12 wins.