NFL Playoff Predictions: Dallas Cowboys and Teams That Will Make Surprising Runs

The NFL playoffs are always exciting because there is at least one team every year that makes a run that no one sees coming. It's not that we have underestimated them coming into the postseason, just they didn't show us enough over the course of 16 weeks to earn our trust. 

But sometimes, particularly in a must-win situation, talent takes over and we realize that perhaps the overall record doesn't tell the whole story. That is what we are looking at in this article. 

Anyone can pick the Green Bay Packers or the New England Patriots to play in the Super Bowl. But which teams are going to play in the wild-card round and win two, three or even four games?

Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

I know that they have been inconsistent all season, but you look at the talent that the Cowboys have, especially on offense, and they are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC.

Of course, it's entirely possible that they don't even make it in to the playoffs.

Tony Romo is having a fantastic season, though people are never going to take him seriously until they see him win more playoff games. (For the record, judging a quarterback based on playoff wins is completely pointless because there are 52 other players involved.)

They have everything that a team needs to make a deep playoff run, unless Jason Garrett tries to ice his kicker.

Detroit Lions (9-5)

While the Lions fans would likely be thrilled just to see their team get into the postseason, with the right matchups they can actually win some games. 

Much like the Cowboys, the Lions offense has the potential to score points with anyone in the league. No one has a playmaker at wide receiver like Calvin Johnson, and the rest of the offense has followed in his footsteps. 

The weak spot for them all season has been on defense, which is surprising considering how much talent their front four has. Ndamukong Suh is a difference-maker when he is focused on football and not trying to show up other players. 

San Diego Chargers (7-7)

It is hard to predict a team that lost six straight games in the middle of the season will make a playoff run, but the Chargers are unlike any other organization in the NFL. They always have a mid-season lull before turning on the jets in the December. 

For as bad as this team looked in October, they look terrific now. Philip Rivers has found his magic touch, and the rest of the team has regained its swagger as a result. 

I still believe they are the best team in the AFC West and will find a way to steal the division title from the Denver Broncos. That would be bad news for the other teams in the playoffs, because when they are good, they are dangerous. 

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