NFL Playoff Scenarios: 3 Heavyweights Most at Risk for Postseason Failure

The San Francisco 49ers aren't the only NFL heavyweight that could be at risk for postseason failure in January. 

Yes, the 49ers must be warned. 

Alex Smith needs to show me more, and how will the defense play without heartbeat Patrick Willis? 

Let's examine San Fran's situation and the two other clubs that could be in for a rude awakening in these playoffs. 

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been of the best stories in the NFL this season, but in losing two of their last three, problems we all envisioned they would have all year have been brought to light. 

Alex Smith only has five interceptions in 2011 and will most likely win the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but against the Ravens and Cardinals, he failed to eclipse 175 yards passing and didn't have a touchdown. 

I know San Fran is a run-first, beat-you-with-defense team, but they'll need to show some type of explosion offensively in the playoffs, especially with clubs like the Packers, Saints, Lions and Falcons in the NFC. 

If the opposition loads the box to limit Frank Gore and Smith is needed to win a big game essentially by himself, can he? 

The 49ers' signal-caller faces a difficult test tonight against the Steelers. 

Houston Texans

The Texans have the second-best defense in terms of yards allowed and certainly have a powerful yet elusive runner in Arian Foster. 

They're all set for a postseason run, right? 

Not so fast. 

Let's face it: Although running the football with success and defense will help a team's chances in the playoffs, a heady, game-changing quarterback is the most critical necessity.  How many clubs have advanced to the Super Bowl over the last, say, seven years with a below-average quarterback? 

Not many.

Nothing against T.J. Yates, as he was great against a Leon Hall-less Bengals defense in Week 14, but we saw some of his shortcomings in the Texans' loss to the Panthers on Sunday. 

He finished the game 19-of-30 for 202 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns. 

Maybe he'll surprise us, but I don't know how much I like him in a late-game situation with the game on the line in the playoffs. 

New England Patriots

Tough to make this prediction with the Patriots on a six-game winning streak. 

Here's my logic. 

The defense is obviously flawed, and to make matters worse, they lost arguably their best pass-rusher, Andre Carter on Sunday. 

We've pegged the Patriots as one of the teams to beat in the AFC postseason the last two years, and both times, they were out-dueled at home by aggressive defensive teams that also had the talent to take advantage of their defensive ineptitude. 

If they face a team like the Steelers, Ravens or even the Jets, they'll have a tough time limiting their opponent's offense, and we've seen what those kind of defenses can do to confuse Tom Brady this season. 

Not saying it will happen, but this has happened before with New England. 

They're flying high, ready to make another Super Bowl run starting with a home playoff game, then they get dismantled by a defensive-minded team that makes enough plays on offense to leave Gillette with a victory.