NFL Playoff Scenarios: Ranking 4 Wild Card Teams Most Likely to Catch Fire

There's only three playoff spots that remain up for grabs, two in the AFC and one in the NFC. That being said, all that matters is that you get to the January dance.

The New York Jets proved two seasons in a row that the No. 6 seed can make a deep run, and the Green Bay Packers went all the way as a No. 6 seed. So, in short, anyone can get hot late in the season.

To that end, here are four teams most likely to catch fire in the postseason.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Of all the teams in the current playoff standings, the Cincinnati Bengals are arguably the most dangerous.

A big reason, is because one could argue that they're not suppose to be there. When you look at their youth and their methodically effective offense, compared to teams like the Raiders and Jets, Cincy doesn't appear to match up.

However, that's the beauty of why we play the games.

Cincinnati has a solid defense combined with an offense capable of exploding thanks to some solid play-makers, namely rookie WR AJ Green.

And being that they're currently the No. 6 seed, the Bengals have nothing to lose. A young team with a lot of potential, Cincinnati will bust out everything and anything to win this postseason.

Include their two-game win streak and a possible win over the Ravens who struggle on the road, Cincinnati will have a vehement amount of confidence in January.

3. New York Giants

If the Giants win, they're in.

Period.

And despite all their shortcomings to go with inconsistency in 2011, defeating the Jets in Week 16 is just the dose of medicine Big Blue needed.

For one, it gives them the title of New York's best team and position themselves for a shot at the NFC East title. The only concern about the G-Men, however, is their 3-4 home record.

On the road they're 5-3, so winning at home against Dallas and then in the NFC Wild card will be a significant boost of confidence. Add in their ability to win and play better on the road and the Giants can make a deep run.

Plus, they've played the best the NFC can give them in a three-game stretch that included San Francisco, New Orleans, and Green Bay. They lost them all, but we've seen this from the Giants before.

In 2007, they were swept by the Cowboys, badly beaten by the Packers, and lost to New England all before the postseason. Then January happened and the Giants avenged all three losses in a row to win the Super Bowl.

I'm not saying that this will happen, but don't be surprised if it does because the Giants have played this role once before.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers may be banged up, but because it's the Steelers we can't just discount them based on that fact.

Other than the New England Patriots, no AFC team has been as consistent as Pittsburgh in the twenty-first century—the Colts a close third. And once again, the Steelers are on the cusp of winning the AFC North.

This is thanks to the Baltimore Ravens slipping up on the road. That said, right now Pittsburgh is slated to be the AFC's No. 5 seed and play at the Denver Broncos.

The Steelers still have a top-notch defense and potent offense. The ground game is effective enough to help setup the passing game and with their postseason experience, Pittsburgh could very well return to the Super Bowl.

They'll be heading into the playoffs with a two-game win streak—Browns won't beat them in Week 17—and have to make some noise on the road in January for the first time since 2005 —which was a Super Bowl win.

Therefore, until The Steel City is actually out, don't ever count them out.

1. New Orleans Saints

Right now the New Orleans Saints are appearing to get the NFC's No. 3 seed. Which is fine, as they'll host a home playoff game to build momentum into the divisional round.

In addition to their ability to dominate at home, the Saints have vastly improved on the road.

After beginning 2011 2-3 in road games that included losses to the Buccaneers and Rams, it was uncertain as to whether they could play outside of The Superdome.

Fast-forward to Week 17 and we see the Saints having won three road games over the Falcons, Titans, and Vikings, all of which play very well at home. As for the playoffs, they're likely to play the 49ers in San Francisco.

There, the Saints high-powered offense will have to takeover if they want the highly anticipated rematch with Green Bay in late January at Lambeau Field. And if there's one team who can match the Packers possession for possession, it's the Saints.

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