NFL Playoff Picture: 4 Teams Making the Most Noise

Unlike some of the teams who are quiet right now, there are teams making noise as the regular season winds down.

For several reasons—whether it's popularity, records, making a statement or chasing for a higher seed—the following teams have been some of the most noticeable the last couple of weeks.

Green Bay Packers (13-0)

Not only because the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champs, but also because they are vying for a second straight title. However, winning a second straight Super Bowl has happened eight times before, so in spite of that, it's not the primary reason.

Obviously, that would be Green Bay chasing perfection.

Doing it in a year where it's supposed to be more difficult is impressive beyond words.

Winning one Super Bowl is definitely difficult and repeating is without a doubt a huge challenge. That said, during the more difficult season you would expect the Packers to get everyone's A-game. Well, the scary thing is they have.

And yet, the cheese continues to roll on ahead and is making winning games in the NFL look extremely easy. Perhaps their win over the Raiders was the most convincing, as Oakland came in with a solid ground game and a hungry/improved defense.

Needless to say, Green Bay worked them off the field and had their best game as a defense all season. This team is making arguably more noise than anyone, but they're so much fun to watch it's hard not to root for 19-0.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)

They are the Pittsburgh Steelers and they're going to make noise because that's what we expect of them. The Steelers wouldn't be who they are if they didn't make noise, plain and simple.

When they play, expect to be hit and if you don't like it, well then you already lost. Add in the controversial LB James Harrison and that only adds more wood to the fire. Pittsburgh wants to be looked at as the bad guys and they're okay with it.

The reason is because their confidence level is arguably the best in the game; otherwise we don't see The Steel City being considered as legitimate Super Bowl contenders every single year. To do what Pittsburgh does each year is impressive, even with the odds stacked against them.

Dick LeBeau's defense annually is one of the best and the offense can either wear you down on the ground or embarrass you by going deep. Not to mention Ben Roethlisberger coming back into the game against Cleveland and limping his way to every handoff.

That kind of toughness takes note and they want everyone to know how physically presenting they can be. And if your biased toward defense, well, watching the Steelers is fun. 

Denver Broncos (8-5)

Thanks to Tim Tebow the Denver Broncos are basically in the news every day on every channel across the country. It'd be a totally different story if the Broncos weren't winning games, but it's the way in which they are winning that is adding more wood to the fire.

Tebow is 7-1 as a starter, rookie LB Von Miller has recorded 11.5 sacks along with two forced fumbles, and the Broncos have won three games in OT with some dramatic comebacks.

It's unreal what we're watching every time Denver has played since they beat the Dolphins in Miami. But the fact that it's Tim Tebow leading the way instead of a guy like Kyle Orton is much more appealing to the football world.

Include John Elway in the front office, Denver having the NFL's No. 1 ranked rush offense and No. 31 ranked passing game, and wrapping our brains around this perplexity of how Denver continues to win is unbearable.

The late-game mishaps by opponents and Matt Prater booming FGs from 50-plus yards that look like they're good from 70-plus cannot be described by any superlative in any language. Combine all of these elements (tangible and intangible) and The Mile High City is making some serious noise.

New Orleans Saints (10-3)

Of the teams listed, the Saints may be making the least amount of noise, but The Big Easy is still blasting noise as the primary team to take down the Packers.

In Week 1, New Orleans lost to Green Bay 42-34 and really haven't looked back since. Two other dud games at Tampa Bay and St. Louis have them fighting for the NFC's No. 2 seed with San Francisco, but the NFC South is close to a lock.

To that end, the Saints are coming off a major road win over the Titans in Tennessee. New Orleans has struggled on the road all season, so getting that win over a potential playoff team significantly boosts their confidence when playing outside of The Superdome.

Even if Drew Brees and Co. end up with the No. 3 seed, chances are they meet up with Frisco in the postseason divisional round. There, San Fran will go down as they have no passing offense to keep pace with Brees.

Also, Arizona exploited the Niners' secondary so the Saints will have no trouble moving the ball. This is the only NFC team who can match Green Bay score-for-score, so expect the Saints to keep making noise.

Mardi Gras deserves it, because the NFC title game may be the most exciting game this season.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27