NFL Playoff Predictions: Houston Texans and Teams That Will Choke in Postseason

With only a couple of games left, the NFL playoff picture is starting to shape up. It's easy to see which teams will succeed and which ones will fail. 

We've learned a lot through this crazy season and some teams just don't have what it takes to put together a solid run in the postseason. 

There's always a few playoff surprises, but for the most part, the teams we expect to win will do just that. 

Here are three teams that will choke in the playoffs. 

Houston Texans 

After last night's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans are starting to feel a ton of pressure ahead of the postseason. 

The team is banged up with all sorts of injuries and they're going to struggle against stronger teams in the playoffs. 

Part of me thinks the Texans are taking it easy right now and not caring too much because they've won the AFC South. However, that wouldn't help them at all in postseason play. 

Arian Foster is all they have on offense, and whoever the Texans end up facing will prevent him from a monster performance, which means Houston is doomed.

New York Jets 

There's a very good chance the Jets choke so hard right now that they don't even make the playoffs. I have them barely squeezing in, but they won't be as fortunate in postseason play. 

Mark Sanchez has had his ups and downs this season, and while he's had playoff success in the past, this year will be much different. 

New York's defense typically bailed him out, but the Jets aren't as strong on defense as they once were. This means that there's more pressure on Sanchez to deliver on the big stage, and it's not going to happen. 

The Jets may win in the first round (if they play Houston), but don't expect this team to get back to the AFC title game because they're not good enough to do so.

San Francisco 49ers 

The surprise team of the year, the 49ers, are going to flop in the playoffs. Alex Smith has been playing better than expected, but when the pressure is on, the game managing quarterback will fall flat on his face. 

The only bright spot we'll see from the 49ers moving forward is their defense. They haven't given up a rushing touchdown on the year, and the defense will keep them competitive in the playoffs. 

However, the offense will be called upon to make plays, and that will be San Francisco's downfall. Credit Jim Harbaugh for an excellent first season, but his team lacks the experience to succeed in the postseason.

Since the NFC West is rather weak, the 49ers will continue to dominate their division, which means their time is coming. Unfortunately, this season just isn't their year and they'll be exposed in the playoffs.