Ranking the Home-Field Advantage of 12 NFL Teams Likely To Make the Playoffs

The entire NFL plays hard all season in hopes of earning a trip to the Super Bowl. That road is significantly easier when the games are played at home. Hosting a playoff game isn't only a great thing for the players; it also gives the fans an extra opportunity to support their team.

Ranking the top home-field advantages was a tough task. Most teams in line for the playoffs play well at home. However, there were a few factors that helped me with my decision. I looked at their home record this season, key home victories (or losses) and the environment.

Some teams are built to succeed inside a dome and struggle in cold weather environments. The potential playoff landscape features four dome teams. A team like the New Orleans Saints would receive a major boost playing a few extra home games.

No. 12 MetLife Stadium: New York Giants

Home Record: 3-3

The New York Giants are on track to host a home playoff game. They currently hold the fourth seed in the NFC playoff race. Their best shot a earning a playoff berth is by winning the NFC East, which would result in a home playoff game.

This season has not brought a lot of home success. New York is 3-3 at home, with key losses to the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. Their wins have come against lower-level competition like the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins.

New York's home-field advantage will increase if they face a dome team. As it stands, the Giants would host the Atlanta Falcons, who prefer a dome setting. The dome teams will not be used to the cold weather situations in New York.

No. 11 Reliant Stadium: Houston Texans

Home Record: 5-1

The Houston Texans will host a home playoff game because they have already wrapped up the AFC South. This will be Houston's first home playoff game and first playoff game in franchise history. The atmosphere in Reliant Stadium will be electric.

Houston's signature home victory this season came against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In this game, Arian Foster shredded the Steelers defense for 155 rushing yards. The Texans average 20 more rushing yards per game at home. This will be an important stat to monitor, as the running game will be the key to their success.

As it stands, the Texans hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC. They need a strong finish in order to wrap up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Having home-field advantage will be important, as they prepare to go forward with their third-string quarterback.

No. 10 Georgia Dome: Atlanta Falcons

Home Record: 4-2

It is very unlikely that the Atlanta Falcons will host a home playoff game. They currently hold the fifth seed in the NFC, with little to no shot at winning their division. As it stands, they should be preparing to travel to New York to face the Giants.

The Georgia Dome is a tough place to play, and the Falcons are built to succeed in a dome environment. Atlanta's fans are known for their ability to create a ton of noise and make it difficult for the road team. Their advantage comes in the running game, where they average 23 more yards per game at home.

However, Atlanta looked very beatable at home this season. They suffered two big losses to the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints. These are two teams that Atlanta will need to defeat if they hope to make a Super Bowl appearance.

No. 9 Ford Field: Detroit Lions

Home Record: 4-3

Because they currently hold the sixth seed and play in a division with the Green Bay Packers, the Detroit Lions have a slim chance to host a playoff game. They need some major upsets to take place to host a playoff game.

Detroit actually pulled off bigger victories on the road this season. They have wins in Dallas and Denver, showing they are capable of winning in a tough environment. The main reason Detroit would prefer to play at home is because it aids their pass rush.

Detroit's defensive success depends on the pressure generated by their defensive line. They use the crowd noise to get a jump on the snap. On the road, they will be at the mercy of the road crowds.

No. 8 Sports Authority Field at Mile High: Denver Broncos

Home Record: 3-3, 2-1 with Tim Tebow as starter

The Denver Broncos' season must be looked at in two halves—the pre- and post-Tim Tebow era. Since Tebow has taken over as the starter, Denver is 7-1 with two of those victories coming at home. The Broncos are in the driver's seat in the AFC West, which will allow them to host a playoff game.

Tebow's game feeds off of the environment and the electricity provided by the crowd. It seems like the more the stadium believes, the better Tebow performs. Mile High Stadium provides a great football atmosphere and the most passionate Tebow fans.

Mile High's thin air still has an impact on road teams. This impacts even the best-conditioned players and is something that benefits the Broncos.

No. 7 MetLife Stadium: New York Jets

Home Record: 6-1

Rex Ryan loves to get the Jets fans involved in the game. He often makes public statements encouraging the fans to show up and create noise. The Jets fans always get behind the team and create an electric environment.

New York's running game averages almost 30 extra yards at home. Their running game is the key to the offense and their playoff success. The last two playoff runs were facilitated by great defense and a strong rushing attack.

As it stands, the Jets are unlikely to host a playoff game. They hold the sixth seed in the AFC and would need a complete New England collapse to win their division. New York appears to be heading to another tough playoff journey.

No. 6 Gillette Stadium: New England Patriots

Home Record: 5-1

The New England Patriots are very likely to host a playoff game and still have a shot at home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They as well as the Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers all own a 10-3 record.

Winning a playoff game in Gillette Stadium versus a Tom Brady-led team is a very difficult task. It is even tougher in a cold weather environment. The Patriots offense is actually more dangerous at home because they are more balanced. They average over 15 more yards on the ground at home.

No. 5 Candlestick Park: San Francisco 49ers

Home Record: 6-1

The San Francisco 49ers need a big win this week to hang on to the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They host the Pittsburgh Steelers this Monday night. The No. 2 seed gives the 49ers a home playoff game and first-round bye.

San Francisco's signature home victory came against the New York Giants. They actually scored bigger wins on the road this season against the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles. However, every team prefers to play at home.

The location of Candlestick Park creates some interesting wind gusts that can impact both the passing and kicking games. Opposing teams like the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints might have issues employing their pass-heavy attacks.

No. 4 Heinz Field: Pittsburgh Steelers

Home Record: 6-1 (loss to Ravens)

The Pittsburgh Steelers' one home loss could be what keeps them from winning the AFC North and hosting a playoff game. That loss came on November 6th against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens currently hold the tiebreaker over the Steelers.

Heinz Field is traditionally a very tough place to play. It features a rowdy crowd and cold weather conditions. The city of Pittsburgh loves to flock to the stadium and support their Steelers. This stadium is particularly tough on opposing kickers, as its open end zone creates some interesting effects.

No. 3 M&T Bank Stadium: Baltimore Ravens

Home Record: 7-0

Traveling to Baltimore and scoring a road playoff victory is an extremely tough task. The opposing team needs to overcome a boisterous crowd and a ferocious defense. Baltimore's coaching staff understands the makeup of their team and allows the defense to set the tone.

At this point, the Ravens hold the lead in the AFC North and the No. 2 seed in the conference. They finish the season with three very winnable games against the San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.

No. 2 Mercedes-Benz Superdome: New Orleans Saints

Home Record: 6-0

The New Orleans Saints were built to play in a dome. Their success is based on speed and making plays through the air. Because of their preference to throw the ball, they are less successful in open-air environments.

The Saints defense relies on the crowd noise to get off the ball and create pressure. Gregg Williams is a master at dialing up blitzes to complement the noise in the stadium.

New Orleans will host a playoff game, as they have already wrapped up the NFC South. A first-round bye is still within reach, but they need the San Francisco 49ers to drop a game or two. The Saints are more likely to earn a Super Bowl berth if they host two or more playoff games.

No. 1 Lambeau Field: Green Bay Packers

Home Record: 6-0

Lambeau Field in late January is truly a frozen tundra. The average temperature in Green Bay during the month of January is 29 degrees. Teams from New Orleans and Atlanta will have a tough time adjusting to this type of weather. The effects are felt more by those teams who are used to playing in a dome.

Green Bay is one week away from wrapping up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This would be a change from last year where they needed to travel through their run to the Super Bowl. The Packers have been unbeatable this season and will be even tougher in a home playoff game.