4 NFL Playoff Teams That Look the Most Unbeatable

The NFL Playoffs are getting closer and closer.  With three weeks left in the regular season, the time for prognostication has come.  Through 14 weeks, there are a few teams that have really separated each other from the rest of the pack.  The playoff picture has begun to shake out, from long shots that make it out of the first round, to the juggernauts that no one wants to play.

The best part about the NFL is that no amount of prognostication can override the sanctity of the playoff format.  Any team can win or lose any given game, as each playoff team is given a chance to prove themselves or go home against the best of the best.  Click through the slideshow for four teams that look the most unbeatable heading into the playoffs.

The Green Bay Packers

The 13-0 Green Bay Packers are quite clearly the class of the NFL.  They seem even better than last year's team, which won the Super Bowl.  Their QB, Aaron Rodgers, is having a mythical season, and the rest of the team is along for the ride.

It's very hard to conceive of this Packers team losing.  Their offense is so loaded that, short of an injury to Rodgers, you can't imagine a defense being able to keep them from putting up significant points.  And their defense isn't half bad either.  Led by long-haired madman Clay Matthews, the Green Bay defense makes enough big plays, sacks and turnovers to accentuate their prolific counterparts on offense.

The New Orleans Saints

Just outside of the glorious glow of the Green Bay Packers sit the New Orleans Saints.  While the Packers took the first meeting between these two teams, a rematch could conceivably go either way.

Drew Brees is up to his usual antics in the passing game, but with Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram stepping up, the Saints can also run the ball.  That added dimension makes the Saints perhaps even more dangerous than when the Saints and Packers met the first time around.  For the sake of great TV, I really hope these two nearly unbeatable teams clash again this year. 

The Pittsburgh Steelers

On Thursday night, Big Ben looked to be rounding into postseason form.  He was hurt, playing on an off night when the offense just wasn't quite clicking.  However, in typical form, Roethlisberger shook off what looked like a nasty leg injury and came back into to the game to direct his team to a win, limping all the way.

The Steelers will most likely have to face up to the Ravens again under the threat of suffering a brutal 3-0 season sweep to their most hated rivals.  However, if they can dispatch their division foes, they look as good as anyone to make it to the Super Bowl out of the AFC.

The Houston Texans

It's nothing short of amazing what the Texans have been able to do in the midst of all the injuries they have suffered to their starting lineup.  Almost every single one of their big name talents has missed significant time this season with an injury.  

Yet the Texans just keep rolling along, primarily propelled by their top notch defense, which Wade Phillips has done an astonishing job making over in just one season.

It has gotten to the point where you just expect the wheels to come off at some point, but they haven't yet.  With their defense and running game, the Texans don't need T.J. Yates to be Superman, and he has certainly been good enough so far.