NFL Playoff Predictions: 3 Teams Built for January Football

When we think of a football team built for the postseason, we think of a gritty, run-first, defensive-minded club. 

Not exactly a ton of those in the NFL today, at least not as many as there used to be.   

All hope is not lost for the old-school fans. There are still a few teams that fit the classic description. 

Let's take a look at the teams that are best suited for January football. 

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will make their first playoff appearance in nine years as a team certainly built for the postseason. 

They'll likely finish the regular season as the No. 2 seed and if they win at home, chances are, they'll be forced to travel to a cold-weather city for the NFC Championship. 

What's better for a blustery, snow-filled game than the punishing running of Frank Gore and the league's best run defense? 

Not much. 

All of their success hinges on the health of linebacker and defensive heartbeat Patrick Willis. 

With him at 100 percent, teams won't have an easy time establishing the run. Behind him, San Francisco's secondary is undoubtedly an underrated unit, only allowing 230 yards through the air a game with 16 interceptions to date. 

Truly a throwback team. 

Baltimore Ravens

I'm no coaching genius, but I've been preaching all season. 

Ravens, FEED Ray Rice. 

I know the flow and momentum of the game makes a difference, but in Baltimore's three losses, Rice has 13, eight and five carries, respectfully.

Hopefully for their sake, the coaching staff realizes that he must be handed the ball more than 20 times a game because he is the best offensive player the team has.

Especially in a blizzard in Pittsburgh or New England, I love this team, if Rice is the focal point of the offense. 

Also, their vast postseason experience, especially on the road, makes them a tremendously constructed playoff club.

How did it take me this long to mention Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed?

They'll help, too.

A little.  

Pittsburgh Steelers

There's something about the Pittsburgh Steelers and wintry, playoff weather. They just go together. 

Mainly because of Ben Roethlisberger and that ferocious and unrelenting defense. 

Trying to bring Big Ben to the turf is essentially attempting to tackle a huge linebacker. His surprising elusiveness makes him one of the best in those critical, late-game situations in the postseason. 

The defense is getting healthier, and the Bengals fell victim to their assailing style of play last Sunday.

Their running attack hasn't been as terrorizing as in the past, but Rashard Mendenhall hasn't changed; he's still a load to take to the ground.

Like the Ravens, they have a ton of playoff experience, which definitely factors in as well.

(I purposely left out the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos. Do you think they're built for the postseason? I can't decide, but I'm leaning toward yes. Great ground games, respectable defenses.)