NFL Playoff Predictions: 5 Teams That Will Most Threaten Green Bay Packers

After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, a small glimpse of what it takes to beat the Green Bay Packers was revealed.

In a nutshell it's simple-play smash mouth football for 60 minutes. That being said, smash mouth isn't always running the ball and using up the clock. It's basically having a methodic offensive approach with a solid pass rush.

Now, not all of the following teams have this capability however, because of their strengths they do have the best odds of dethroning Titletown.

New Orleans Saints

Right now the only team who can legitimately matchup with Green Bay if they faced off 100 times, the New Orleans Saints.

As evidenced by their Week 1 shootout, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that these two will meet in the NFC title game. Obviously slated to be at Lambeau Field however, the Saints have vastly improved on the road with wins over Atlanta, Tennessee, and Minnesota.

Lest we forget, the Vikings almost bear the Lions and Packers at home whereas New Orleans obliterated them. That being said, New Orleans also has the capability to run the ball virtually at-will.

Based on how well Kansas City slammed the Packers front seven, it would be not surprising to see New Orleans come out and establish a ground game to control the tempo. It keeps Green Bay's offense off the field and wears down their opportunistic defense.

Then as the game wears on, Drew Brees can take over.

Houston Texans

Certainly a long-shot, but the Houston Texans have just as much of an opportunity as anyone else in the AFC. All three teams of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New England are vulnerable and the Texans are going overlooked because of their injuries.

Thing is, they still have arguably the NFL's best defense and one of the most effective rushing attacks. Include their pass rush and it would not be surprising to see Houston win the AFC.

As we saw with the Chiefs, running the ball effectively, not turning the ball over, and getting constant pressure on Aaron Rodgers was the blueprint for that game. If we've learned anything from inexperienced playoff teams, it's that they honestly don't have anything to lose.

The Jets have made two consecutive deep runs and the Arizona Cardinals went 9-7 in 2008 and almost hoisted the Lombardi Trophy at the end. That being said, we can't discount the Texans just because they are the Texans.

Houston is a lot more dangerous than given credit for and they have the tools to make a run, especially against the Packers.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons biggest strength lies within experience, but not just playoff experience.

In the 2010 season Atlanta played the Packers twice. They won the regular season game and lost in the postseason. This season the Falcons had to play Green Bay once again and even held a 14-0 lead early on.

The Packers came back to win 25-14 however, that shouldn't discredit the Falcons for having played a tough game. So, in having went up against the cheese three times in two years, the Falcons know them as much, if not more than anyone else.

With RB Michael Turner having a great season in part of a balanced offense, the Falcons can move the ball and keep pace with Aaron Rodgers and company. The game then rests on the shoulders of pass-rushers John Abraham and Ray Edwards.

The Dirty Birds have come on strong since the middle of the season (7-2 since Week 6) and are poised to finally make a playoff run. This is one team that can take control of a game right from kickoff against the Packers.

Because they did just that earlier this season.

New England Patriots

Of course having Tom Brady under center gives New England a distinct advantage in the ability to defeat Green Bay.

Perhaps the bigger reason though, comes in the form of TE Rob Gronkowski. With the Packers already having a weak pass defense, Gronk will be unstoppable.

No Green Bay LB can cover him one-on-one and they will have to double team him all game. If not, he dominates, and if so, then that leaves Wes Welker and Deion Branch singled up, as well as being vulnerable to the Pats rushing attack.

New England may not run the ball often, but they are effective in short yardage situations. Defensively, the pass rush has significantly improved so it's just a matter of how many times New England can mess up the timing.

Green Bay will without a doubt put up 30-35 points on the Patriots defense, the question is whether the Packers defense can stop Tom Brady from putting up 40.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers may have defeated a banged up Pittsburgh Steelers team however, any time you can beat the Steelers that's an impressive feat.

What's great about San Francisco's chances against the Packers, is that they are just like the Kansas City Chiefs, but on a whole other level.

San Fran works the same way except they just do everything better than Kansas City. Their ground game is better, they have a better pass rush, and the passing game is more effective when needed.

Not to mention the 49ers haven't had to deal with using a million different QBs this season. You can expect RB Frank Gore to just bowl over Green Bay's defense and when plausible, Alex Smith has proven the ability to air it out.

The concern is Frisco's pass defense. Therefore, much like any team with great pass-rushers, guys like Justin Smith, Aldon Smith, and Ray McDonald will need to takeover the game.

We saw Tamba Hali do it for the Chiefs and he's the only guy they have. As previously mentioned, San Fran is the exact same team as Kansas City, but on a much higher level.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27