NFL Playoff Predictions: Which Contenders Will Struggle in January?

Some teams are made to compete in all the elements. Some teams are made to compete in domes.

The league's best can do both, while the others have to hope for a lucky draw.

The postseason isn't for everybody, not yet at least, and experience plays a key factor in January success as well. 

Here are a few contenders that will struggle in the postseason this winter.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have won at least one playoff game in each of the last three years. Unfortunately, two of their three runs were ended by the Steelers, and in their history they have yet to conquer their division rivals when it matters most.

This year there is a chance the Ravens earn a No. 2 seed, possibly even a No. 1 seed, and skip the wild-card round altogether.

But the Steelers have already clinched a playoff berth as well and should be healthy if/when they cross paths again.

Baltimore will eventually break through and beat the Steelers, but beating a team three times in one year is awfully difficult.

Houston Texans

This will be the Texans' first postseason, and experience counts for so much in January that it would be foolish to think rookie T.J. Yates will be able to handle things under center if the Steelers, Jets or Ravens come calling.

They have a great defense and run game, but quarterback play counts for so much when a chance at a Super Bowl ring is one the line.

This team made huge strides this season, but even with Matt Schaub under center this team would be hard-pressed to earn a win in their first postseason together.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have only beaten Carolina, Indianapolis, Detroit and Seattle on the road this year.

We know all about Matt Ryan's dominance in the Georgia Dome, but this team is going to be hosting any playoff games this year.

Atlanta plays at New Orleans this week and will drop to the six seed with a loss. Either way, they're going to be on the road in the first round of the playoffs and the only shot they'll get at playing in a dome will be against the divisional rival Saints.

The Falcons are going to have it rough wherever they go and it is scary to think that their best shot at postseason success will be against arguably the second best team in the league, the New Orleans Saints.

Detroit Lions

Much of the same that went for Houston goes for Detroit.

Unless they lose out and something wacky happens Weeks 16 and 17 (and they do play the Packers in Week 17) the Lions should find their way into the postseason for the first time since 1999.

Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will be asked to carry this team on their backs if that is the case.

Detroit does not have a consistent run game and their defense is suspect at best. That formula rarely works in the postseason.

We should expect the Lions to become regulars if they can still healthy and continue adding pieces around Stafford, Johnson and Suh, but success isn't expected during their first year in January games.