2011 NFL Playoff Predictions: 5 Teams That Could Fold in the Cold

When the playoffs come around, if a team is not acclimated to playing in cold weather on a consistent basis, it can really be a factor.

And for this season, most of those who may struggle in the cold will come from the NFC, thus giving Green Bay a major advantage.

To that end, here are five teams who will slow down in the cold.

Atlanta Falcons

By the time the postseason comes around, the Atlanta Falcons will have played in three cold weather cities: Chicago, Seattle and Detroit.

The only concern, however, is that Chicago and Seattle were in the first month of the season. And although the Lions game was in late October, Detroit is a dome team like the Falcons.

As for Atlanta's late-season road games, last week was a loss at Houston, while Carolina is this week, and the Saints await in Week 16.

So, not only are the Dirty Birds an average road team, but they have virtually zero experience in playing against cold-weather teams in cold weather. On the year, Atlanta may be 7-5, but they're 3-3 on the road.

Outside, the passing game will slow down, and although RB Michael Turner does have the ability to carry the load, Atlanta thrives on being balanced. In Green Bay, the Packers would stack the box and force Atlanta to throw in bad weather.

Despite the cheese having a weak pass defense, the weather is on their side, as is Matt Ryan being somewhat interception-prone. Not to mention, Green Bay leads the NFL with 23 INTs.

Dallas Cowboys

Let's put it this way, if the Cowboys can't win on the road in Arizona, they won't stand a chance in Green Bay. The NFC is bound to run through "titletown," and even with a stout ground game coming from RB DeMarco Murray, the Cardinals proved that he can be shut down.

In Arizona, Murray only rushed for 38 yards on 12 carries, and it obviously worked because forcing Tony Romo to throw on third down (he converted four of 12) helped.

As for the Packers, we know they're capable of robbing passes for INTs, but they also have a solid pass-rush. Dallas will need to run the ball and keep the rock out of Aaron Rodgers' hands. However, that won't matter if the Packers win in the trenches.

And not only are the Cowboys not used to playing in cold weather, but they have just one playoff win this century. So, until Dallas proves they can perform better in the playoffs—regardless of the opponent—don't expect much from them in January.

Cincinnati Bengals

Although Cincinnati plays in Ohio, they won't last long in the postseason if they have a cold-weather game (which is a high probability).

Cincinnati's offense may be solid, but they don't have a good enough rushing attack to threaten any front seven. For the year, Cincy has averaged just over 108 yards per game, which ranks them No. 20 in the league.

As for their passing game, rookies QB Andy Dalton and WR AJ Green have been great, but as the Steelers showed, if you minimize Green, you shutdown the Bengals.

Green may have had 87 yards and a TD, but the next-best receiver was TE Jermaine Gresham with three catches for 37 yards. In addition, RB Cedric Benson only ran for 52 yards.

So, until the Bengals prove they can be more dangerous in their rushing attack and more receiving targets emerge for Andy Dalton, the cold weather will beat them alone.

New Orleans Saints

In the Saints' last six playoff games, they are 4-2 and have three appearances in the last five seasons.

Unfortunately for The Big Easy, however, all four wins have come at home, while the two losses were on the road in cold-weather cities (Chicago '06 season, Seattle last season).

As for the 2011 regular season, New Orleans has a record of 9-3, and all three losses have come on the road (Green Bay, Tampa Bay, St. Louis).

Go back to the 2009 playoffs when the Saints had home-field advantage. Perhaps that was why they didn't lose in the playoffs—no cold-weather city game.

Now, obviously that remains to be seen for the 2011 season. However, based on how New Orleans has struggled on the road this season and on the road in the postseason, don't count on them besting the Packers at Lambeau.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriot teams that won their three Super Bowls were completely different than what they have now.

Sure, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick remain, but the Patriots have underachieved in recent postseason history.

In their last two postseason games (both at home), New England dropped the ball and was beaten by the Ravens in 2009 and the Jets in 2010.

During their Super Bowl seasons, the Patriots had a much more threatening rushing attack, which helped complement an outstanding passing game. Now, New England still has an elite passing game, but the run game is nowhere near as dangerous.

That was proven against the Steelers this season (Brady had 198 pass yards, Pats had 43 total rush yards). So, although the Pats from before may have won in bad-weather conditions, the Pats of now have struggled and disappointed in January.

Therefore, don't think New England is a shoo-in even if they get home-field advantage because that hasn't mattered since 2007.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27