NFL Playoff Picture: A Quick Look at the Most Surprising Contenders

As long as a team is either in the playoff picture or on the cusp, they're a contender and deserving of some attention.

So with the playoffs and surprising contenders in mind, here are three teams to keep an eye on as the regular season hits the final stretch.

Tennessee Titans (7-5)

Through four weeks in the season the Titans were 3-1 despite RB Chris Johnson being practically non-existent. Then, a little reality check set in and after their Week 9 home loss to Cincinnati, Tennessee was 4-4.

Well, since then The Music City has won three of four and is on the brink of the postseason. Chris Johnson has finally come to life during that stretch and Tennessee could very well finish 9-7 or 10-6 and earn that No. 6 seed.

The defense has gotten back on track but the question is whether that consistency will hold up. They fell apart early in the year despite having wins over Denver and Baltimore, so although the Titans have been on a roll, don't be surprised if they fall back either.

A lot depends on their Week 14 home game against the Saints, who struggle on the road. Could be the defining moment of the Titans' season.

Denver Broncos (7-5)

After going 4-12 in 2010, the Broncos started off 1-4, then axed Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow has taken over The Mile High City.

Also, the Broncos have to thank the rest of their AFC West rivals for falling from grace, otherwise their current position would not be possible. The defense has greatly improved and Tebow has done just enough of throwing the ball to keep opposing defenses honest.

All four of the Broncos' remaining games are winnable, however their true level of comparison will be against New England in Week 15. Can Denver keep pace with Tom Brady and the Patriots, while The Orange Crush tries to slow them down?

It's Denver's biggest test before the playoffs (if they win the AFC West), so in spite of Tebowmania, let's just sit back and see if the Broncos can continue living up to the hype.

New York Giants (6-6)

The Giants may have lost four straight games, however, thanks to Dallas choking in another game, they're just one game back of the Cowboys in the NFC East.

And with two games left against Dallas, the Giants remain alive as a surprising NFC playoff contender. They also got RB Ahmad Bradshaw back last week, so don't count them out just yet.

The pass rush is still solid and if the running game gets back on track, New York becomes so much more dangerous. Without a rushing attack, QB Eli Manning was still playing at a good level, but being multidimensional will make for a tough offense to slow down entirely.

Sandwiched in between Dallas are games against the Redskins and Jets, two other possible wins if Big Blue establishes a more threatening ground game. Plus, with the Cowboys prone to late-game/late-season falls, don't be shocked if the Giants steal the NFC East title from under Big D's nose.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27