NFL Playoff Picture: Wild Card Teams Have No Chance of Upsets This Year

This season, the Wild Card teams aren’t going to be pulling shenanigans like the Green Bay Packers did last year as a sixth-seeded Super Bowl winner.

The division winners this year across the board are strong teams, and I don’t see any late-bloomers like the Pack last year making a charge in the postseason and pulling off any upsets.

Let’s take a look at who is projected to win their division and why they won’t lose a Wild Card game.

AFC

New England Patriots (Champion, First Round Bye)

Don’t have to worry about playing a sixth seed until the second round, if one even gets there.

Baltimore Ravens (Runner-Up, First Round Bye)

Baltimore would destroy any five seed that makes it to them, including their hated rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Houston Texans (No. 3)

Just because this team is starting T.J. Yates does not mean they are ready to roll over and die. They are very supportive of their rookie QB and have the running game and defense to win come playoff time no matter who is under center.

Denver Broncos (No. 4)

Tim Tebow will not lose his first playoff game. This guy is a born winner and has his Broncos playing inspired, excellent football. They’ll grind out a win against anyone.

NFC

Green Bay Packers (Champion, First Round Bye)

The Pack have rode their momentum from a 10-6 Super Bowl season to an undefeated record in 2011 and easily are the best team in the game right now. They won’t fall until the Super Bowl—if even then.

San Francisco 49ers (Runner-Up, First Round Bye)

This is the only team that scares me because of their lack of experience. Fortunately, their stellar regular season will earn them a bye and give them time to prepare for their first playoff series in forever.

New Orleans Saints (No. 3)

No one is playing better football than the Saints right now except maybe the Packers. They have one of the most prolific offenses in the league, and Drew Brees looks like he’s poised to win another Super Bowl.

There’s no chance a team like Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit or New York could beat them in a Wild Card round matchup.

Dallas Cowboys/New York Giants (No. 4)

This spot is going to the Cowboys or Giants, and it really depends on who brings their A game in both of their matchups over the final four weeks.

I think the Giants take it and win a home game easily in their new stadium to kick off the 2011 playoffs against some crummy Wild Card team.