NFL Playoff Picture: 3 Teams on the Rise After Week 16

As we emerge from Week 16 of the 2011 NFL season, several teams have clinched their spots in the postseason. While not every playoff slot is filled, we have a much better idea of who will be battling for a spot in the Super Bowl in January. 

After wins this weekend, three teams are definitely on the rise and could prove to be dangerous once the postseason rolls around. So, here is my list of teams that are coming on strong as the season winds down.

Detroit Lions (10-5)

The Detroit Lions clinched a spot in the postseason thanks to a 38-10 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. While the Lions have struggled since their 5-0 start to the season, they have won three straight games and now sit at 10-5 and are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. 

The Lions have been led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Calvin Johnson, who have moved Detroit into seventh in the NFL in total offense (averaging 384.1 yards per game). The Lions also boast the league's fifth-best passing attack (287.5 yards per game). 

Stafford has continued his outstanding season. To this point, the third-year signal-caller has completed 385-of-604 passes (63.7 percent) for 4,518 yards, with 36 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His passer rating of 96.6 ranks him sixth in the NFL out of the 34 quarterbacks who qualify. 

Meanwhile, Johnson has 85 catches for 1,437 yards and is tied for the NFL lead with 15 touchdowns. He is also second in the league with an average of 95.8 receiving yards per game. 

Johnson and Stafford have been consistently outstanding this season, and they lead a potent Lions offense. Right now, Detroit looks like the team that jumped out to a 5-0 start this season and could be very tough in the playoffs.

New England Patriots (12-3)

The New England Patriots scored a 27-24 comeback win over the Miami Dolphins is Week 16, and that gave them a seven-game win streak. Led by quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots are now just one win away from clinching home-field advantage on the AFC side of the playoff tree. 

Brady is having another stellar season. The 34-year-old has completed 378-of-576 passes (65.6 percent) for 4,897 yards, with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. His quarterback rating of 105.1 ranks third in the league. 

After yet another impressive win, the Patriots appear to have separated themselves as the clear favorites in the AFC. Brady's offense currently ranks second in the NFL, averaging 424.5 yards per game. The problem for the Pats is that their defense allows an NFL-worst 412.1 yards per game.

The key for New England in the postseason will be getting off to fast starts. If Brady, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez can get things started quickly, almost no opponent will be able to score with the Patriots.

Right now, New England is playing as well as anyone in the NFL, and the team's stock is soaring.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)

Thanks to two straight wins, all the Cincinnati Bengals have to do to reach the postseason is score a home win on Sunday. Granted, that win will have to come over the 11-5 Baltimore Ravens, but still it's doable. 

The Bengals were 7-6, and their playoff hopes looked dim after a 20-19 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 14. But back-to-back seven-point wins over the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals have put Cincinnati in a position where they control their own destiny.

While the team's offense hasn't been stellar this season, the defense has stepped up in a major way. The Bengals currently rank sixth in the NFL in yards allowed (314.2 yards per game) and ninth in points allowed per game (19.9).

That has meant that rookie quarterback Andy Dalton hasn't had to do too much, which has been the perfect way for the TCU product to develop.

Dalton has been steady, and his budding connection with rookie A.J. Green could be dangerous in the postseason.

Regardless of whether or not the Bengals actually reach the playoffs, their stock has certainly been on the rise over the past few weeks.