4 NFL Playoff Teams with the Biggest Holes in the Roster

Every NFL team starts the season with three main goals. These goals include winning their division, earning a playoff berth and winning the Super Bowl. Obtaining each goal is only accomplished by one team each year.

Many teams are capable of earning a playoff berth, far fewer have the ability to win their division and even less can win the Super Bowl. The top teams are all balanced, without major roster holes. These missing pieces are what typically keep teams away from their ultimate goal.

Denver Broncos Lack a Reliable Wide Receiver

The Denver Broncos have not needed an elite passing game to win, but they will need more consistent wide receiver play to win a Super Bowl. Denver's offensive system relies on a powerful rushing attack and timely passing. That passing attack needs wide receivers who can be counted on to make the tough catches.

Eric Decker, Matt Willis and Demaryius Thomas have all struggled with dropped passes. Their inability to consistently catch the football will ultimately be this team's undoing. Quarterback Tim Tebow is an inaccurate passer, who needs reliable pass catchers.

Denver might make the playoffs, but won't last long because of their lack of a passing attack. I foresee an untimely dropped pass late in a playoff game.

Houston Texans Forced To Roll with Rookie T.J. Yates

In recent years rookie quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco have been able to find some playoff success. However, that doesn't mean T.J. Yates will lead the Houston Texans to a playoff victory. Roethlisberger and Flacco were first-round picks who received multiple starts in the regular season. Yates was selected in the fifth round and will only have five starts under his belt when the playoffs begin.

Super Bowl-caliber teams almost always have stellar quarterback play. Yates will only be asked to protect the football and make plays every now and then. Houston benefits from the presence of Arian Foster, but that won't be enough to carry them to a Super Bowl title.

Detroit Lions Missing a Power-Running Attack

Jahvid Best was an explosive player capable of breaking off a long run. However, he wasn't overly effective between the tackles before his season-ending injury. Replacements like Kevin Smith and Keiland Williams haven't done much better. Detroit's lack of a power-rushing attack will be their Achilles' heel. The ability to pick up the tough yardage is an overlooked part of an offense.

A power-running game is the most useful in a four-minute offense. In this situation, a team needs to be able to drain the clock with a late lead. The Lions will struggle to close out games, giving their opponents several opportunities to mount a comeback.

The lack of a strong running game also puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Matthew Stafford is forced to throw the ball early and often. This will eventually take its toll and result in a late-game mistake.

The New England Patriots Lack a Super Bowl-Caliber Defense

The New England Patriots are allowing a league-worst 412 yards of total offense a game. This defensive unit will keep the Patriots from winning another Super Bowl title. Tom Brady's presence give the Patriots hope, but he can only carry a team so far.

New England's defensive backfield allows 310 passing yards a game. This unit suffered a string of injuries that cost Patrick Chung, Devin McCourty and Ras-I Dowling several games. Though close to full strength, the secondary is still struggling.

The Patriot will likely need to face a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Baltimore Ravens during the playoffs. Both of these teams feature strong defensive play capable of slowing down Tom Brady and the offense. New England's D is incapable of carrying this team to a Super Bowl victory.