NFL Playoff Scenarios: 4 Teams That Need to Fight Tooth and Nail to Get in

There are a few teams in each conference currently on the outside of the playoff picture that will have to be nearly perfect to get into the NFL's second season. 

Let's analyze these clubs and lay out what they'll have to do to hop certain teams to advance to the postseason. 

Tennessee Titans

The 7-6 Titans are a game behind the New York Jets for the final wild-card spot, and they currently hold the tie-breaker over the Cincinnati Bengals and Oakland Raiders because they have a better in-conference winning percentage than those two clubs. 

If Chris Johnson can run the ball more consistently, they have a great chance to sneak into the postseason. 

Although Matt Hasselbeck has pieced together a Pro Bowl-worthy season, Jake Locker has shown that the offense is not hindered when he's behind center. 

They travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts this week, face the Jaguars at home in Week 16 and finish the year against a Texans squad that could possibly already be locked into their postseason position. 

10-6 is attainable, but they'll need help along the way. 

Cincinnati Bengals 

The Bengals have lost four of their five, but they've faced some rather stiff competition. Now that they're 7-6 and lose the tie-breaker to the Titans, they're really going to have a tough time sneaking into the postseason. 

Andy Dalton has come back to earth a bit, and after losing Leon Hall, the defense hasn't been as dominant. 

They play the Rams and Cardinals in consecutive weeks and host the Ravens in a game that could quite potentially determine their playoff fate. 

10-6 is possible, but will they get enough help? 

I'm not so sure. 

Chicago Bears

Talk about a team that'll have to fight and claw to get into the playoffs. Chicago simply isn't the same team without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, and really, why would they be? 

Caleb Hanie takes too many risks and makes too many bad decisions to even be considered a respectable game manager at this juncture.

They'll have to win with defense, and they'll have to win the turnover battle each week. 

Seattle comes to town this week in a game looks a lot more threatening now than it did a month ago, especially with Marshawn Lynch ferociously touting the rock. 

In Week 16, their playoff lives will be on the line in Lambeau when they square off against the Packers, and then they'll travel to Minnesota in the season finale. 

Not looking great right now for a team struck with an unfortunate chain of injuries. 

Dallas Cowboys 

The Cowboys had the perfect chance to take command of the NFC East, with a 14-point fourth quarter lead over the Giants last Sunday night. 

Then, once again, they blew the lead.

The offense is clicking, but the defense is coming up small in the biggest moments.

They're on the road in Tampa Bay this weekend, get the Eagles at home in Week 16 and end the 2011 season with a enormously-critical game against the Giants that could decide if they're playing in the postseason or watching from their couches.