NFL Playoff Predictions: Current Playoff Teams That Will Fall from Grace

With five weeks remaining in the NFL season, it has become quite apparent that several teams are essentially locked into the playoffs, but there are still plenty of spots yet to be decided. With that said, it is absolutely vital that prospective postseason teams don't become complacent.

Whether it is because of complacency or not, it is highly unlikely that the current playoff picture will hold true five weeks from now. Here are three teams currently holding down a playoff position that will fail to qualify when the 2011 regular season is all said and done.

Houston Texans

With a record of 8-3 and a two-game lead on the Tennessee Titans in the AFC South, it would seem as though the Houston Texans are in great position to secure their first-ever playoff berth. With starting quarterback Matt Schaub out for the season and backup Matt Leinart suffering the same fate, though, their lead certainly isn't safe.

Both the Texans and Titans have fairly easy schedules down the stretch, but Tennessee is much healthier at this point. Houston's lead could easily shrink to one game this week as they take on the red-hot Atlanta Falcons while the Titans face the struggling Buffalo Bills. With rookie Tyler Yates at quarterback, the Texans' chances aren't too promising.

Seeing as Houston and Tennessee will face each other in the final week of the season, the Titans will have an opportunity to catch up. The Texans signed veteran backup signal-callers Kellen Clemens and Jake Delhomme, but ultimately, I don't think they will have enough time to sufficiently learn the offense, and that will doom the Texans.

Cincinnati Bengals

Most observers expected the Cincinnati Bengals to be among the NFL's worst teams this season, but thanks to excellent defense and steady play from rookie quarterback Andy Dalton, the Bengals currently occupy a playoff spot in the AFC with a record of 7-4. With the New York Jets on their tail, though, I think the Bengals will fall short.

There is no question that the Jets are a flawed team, as their run defense has been inconsistent and quarterback Mark Sanchez has struggled, but they have the big-game experience to make the postseason. Both teams have fairly easy schedules moving forward, but the Bengals have tough games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

Also, while Dalton has held up well to this point, it isn't yet known how he will perform in situations. On top of that, the Bengals' pass defense has been very vulnerable since cornerback Leon Hall was lost for the season. With chinks in Cincinnati's armor, I expect the Jets to clip them for the final playoff spot.

Chicago Bears

After a shaky start to the season, it didn't seem as though the Chicago Bears would be able to replicate their great 2010 campaign. Chicago righted the ship, however, as quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte led a strong offense, and the defense began to play up to its expected level as well.

If the playoffs began today, the Bears would barely sneak in with a record of 7-4. With Cutler most likely out for the remainder of the regular season, however, I have doubts about whether Chicago can excel with Caleb Hanie under center. It certainly isn't an impossibility, as the Bears play good team football, but Hanie has proven to be turnover prone in limited action.

Provided the defense and Forte play at high levels moving forward, the Bears may be able to win in spite of Hanie. I think Cutler's loss is a bit deflating to the team, though, and it will affect them down the stretch. The Bears will have to hold off the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions down the stretch, but I ultimately believe that both teams will have enough momentum to pass Chicago.