NFL Playoff Picture: Gauging Teams In Full Panic Mode

It's pandemonium as we draw near to the end of the 2011 NFL regular season. And although we've already seen teams like the Packers, Saints and Patriots clinch playoff berths, much has yet to be decided elsewhere.

To that end, with just two weeks left, four divisions yet to crown a champion and five playoff spots still open, here are the teams in full panic mode.

New York Giants

Although the New York Giants control their own destiny in the NFC East, getting smacked at home last week to the Redskins 23-10 puts them in full panic mode.

The defense continues to play inconsistently at best, allowing 385 total yards per game, while the rushing offense ranks dead last in the league. Thankfully, the passing offense ranks No. 3 and DE Jason Pierre-Paul can provide a pass rush on defense when needed.

However, Big Blue has much to improve on in the next two weeks. A game this week against the New York Jets is big, because if the Philadelphia Eagles upset the Dallas Cowboys at home the NFC East turns into bedlam, period.

A win over the Jets at least creates a buffer zone between New York, and Dallas and Philadelphia. But based on how things have gone since Week 10 (1-5 record), panic mode has been in fifth gear for a while.

And with the Jets also fighting for a playoff spot, football chaos is an understatement for the Big Apple in Week 16.

New York Jets

And speaking of the Jets, here they are.

Currently Gang Green is the AFC's No. 6 seed with an 8-6 record, but the Cincinnati Bengals, among others, are breathing down their necks.

Fortunately for Fireman Ed and Co., the Jets do control their own destiny. Unfortunately though, their final two games are not cakewalks. This week's game is against the aforementioned playoff-hopeful Giants.

The question for coach Rex Ryan's squad is which team shows up these next two weeks. The Jets haven't had a winning or losing streak this season longer than three games, hence a roller coaster, and not the fun ones you ride at Cedar Point.

Right now the Jets have the No. 7 ranked pass defense, which will slow down the Giants attack, and the No. 16 ranked rush defense. Offensively they're not explosive, but have the tools to move the ball in WR Plaxico Burress and TE Dustin Keller.

If there's one team you can trust down the stretch however, it is the Jets, as they've proven their late-season worth each of the last two years. Then again, the third time may not be so charming if the inconsistency continues.

Dallas Cowboys

The theme here has been inconsistency, and the Dallas Cowboys have been just that as well in 2011. They began 2-1, then lost 3-of-4, won four straight and are now 1-2 in the previous three games.

It's a really awkward position the Cowboys are in.

For starters, they sit one game better than the Giants at 8-6, but don't necessarily need a win this week to stay alive in the playoffs. The pressure increases in Week 17, however.

A loss to Philadelphia at home drops them to 8-7, but a win over the Giants in New York clinches the NFC East since Big D has a better NFC record. The biggest concern about Week 16 is letting the Eagles' hopes stay alive.

Philadelphia thrashed Dallas earlier this season and split with the Giants. If the Eagles win out and both New York and Big D finish 8-8, Philly takes the NFC East title as they will have a better divisional record.

A lot of uncontrollable forces are at work for Dallas as a lot lies on what happens with the Giants this week, mainly because the G-Men beat Dallas earlier. However, with the No. 7 ranked rush defense and pass offense, the Cowboys have an edge on Philly.

As long as they get QB pressure and can avoid turning the ball over, Dallas heads into a Week 17 playoff game at New York.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens may be 10-4 having swept the Pittsburgh Steelers and clinching a spot in the playoffs, but panic mode has struck because of their road woes.

Baltimore is 7-0 at home for the year, but just 3-4 on the road. With losses to the Titans, Jaguars, Seahawks and Chargers, the Ravens have cursed themselves from the AFC North title and allowed Pittsburgh to remain alive.

This week the Ravens host the Browns and will dominate as Cleveland is just that bad. Despite having no run defense or offense capable of moving the ball, Baltimore's Top 5 defense will stand tall while the offense slams in the trenches with RB Ray Rice.

It's Week 17 that will determine their playoff fate. Pittsburgh's remaining games are against St. Louis and Cleveland, so the Steelers will finish 12-4. As for the Ravens, the final week is at Cincinnati, who is fighting for its playoff life.

On top of that, it would be vindicating for Cincy to take some confidence away from Baltimore for January. That being said, thanks to their inability to play consistent on the road it would not be surprising if the Ravens finished 11-5 and only got the AFC's No. 5 seed.

That would not only would give Pittsburgh the division, but force them to play on the road in the postseason. Based on the disappointments Baltimore has induced unto themselves away from home in 2011, don't get your hopes up for them making a deep run as a No. 5 seed.

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