NFL Playoff Picture: Dallas Cowboys and Teams in Danger of Losing Division Lead

With four games left on the NFL schedule, not every division leader is safe. A lot can happen during that time, and just because a team is in first place now, there's still a very high possibility they slip and fall. 

It's happened many times before, and it's a trend that will never end. Too many times do teams get comfortable with their lead only to throw it all away.

Late-season collapses are inevitable in the NFL these days, and these three teams need to be careful in their remaining games. 

Dallas Cowboys 

Currently in first place in the NFC East, the Cowboys weren't viewed as the favorites to win the division. Still, here they are on top, but the New York Giants are right behind them. 

On Sunday night, these two teams will go head-to-head for the first time this season, and it's an extremely important game. 

A win for the Cowboys would further build their lead in the NFC East and make it much more difficult for the Giants to come back. New York has a very hard schedule the rest of the year, but if it can beat Dallas on Sunday and again at the end of the season, the division should be handed to the Giants. 

The Cowboys are no strangers to choking, so they're a team to watch closely in these coming weeks. They have the talent to run the table, but given how poorly they've played in the last three weeks, that is very unlikely.

Baltimore Ravens

The leader in the AFC North, the Ravens did their job by beating the Steelers twice this season, but they cannot falter against weaker opponents in the coming weeks. 

Baltimore is tied with Pittsburgh at 9-3, but if it fails to win in the final weeks and the Steelers win out, they'll win the division once again. 

The Ravens weren't the favorites to win the AFC North, but they've been playing outstanding football this year. Facing Indianapolis, San Diego, Cleveland and Cincinnati to finish out the year, the Ravens are in a great spot to win the division. 

However, a few mishaps against teams they had no business losing to is cause for concern down the final stretch of the season. Should they slip up, the Steelers will swoop in and claim the AFC North, forcing the Ravens to have a much tougher time in the postseason.

Denver Broncos

The Tebows, excuse me, the Broncos, have reeled off five straight victories to take the top spot in the AFC West. They're tired with the Oakland Raiders at 7-5, and since they split the season series with them, the Broncos have to keep their win streak alive. 

Not to mention that, at 5-7, the Chargers and Chiefs aren't completely out of it. Of course, it'll be almost impossible, but stranger things have happened. 

He may not be a fantastic quarterback, but Tebow knows how to win. Denver has what it takes to get back to the playoffs, but the only way to do that is by winning the division.

With Oakland on their heels, the Broncos must not lose sight of their goals. Staying strong and winning the AFC West won't be easy, since Denver finishes the year against Chicago, New England, Buffalo and Kansas City. 

The Broncos could easily lose all of those game, but then again, they could win them all too. I doubt that happens, but you never really know with Tebow. The Raiders don't have it easy either, so it will be fun to see which team proves they're legit in the final weeks of the season.