NFL Playoff Scenarios: 3 Teams in Great Position to Shock the NFL

As we saw last year with the Green Bay Packers, don't underestimate the wild card teams. 

If they get hot, they can end a favored club's season on the road and ride built momentum all the way to a Super Bowl title. 

Watch out for these three teams this postseason because they have a tremendous chance to shock the NFL based on their talent and the position in which they'll enter these playoffs. 

Detroit Lions

If I'm any of the teams in the NFC playoffs, I would not want to play the Detroit Lions. 

No way. 

They have an incredible amount of premier, top-end talent on both sides of the ball, and although their more inconsistent than the 49ers, Packers or Saints, if they're hot, they can play with any of those clubs.

Matt Stafford's isn't getting the same amount of notoriety as the Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees of the world, but he's eclipsed the 4,500 passing yard plateau and has 36 touchdowns to only 14 interceptions in 2011. 

They're a underdog that's certainly capable of winning a postseason shootout. 

Cincinnati Bengals

If the Bengals make the playoffs, they'll be the No. 6 seed and will have their journey to the Super Bowl will undoubtedly be an uphill climb. 

The loss of cornerback Leon Hall has taken a major toll on their defense, but it's still a stout enough unit to slow down some of the better offenses in the AFC. 

Andy Dalton didn't necessarily improve down the stretch as he played against better competition, but Cincinnati has an extremely balanced attack with Cedric Benson and A.J. Green spearheading the passing game. 

A true dark-horse with a fantastic opportunity to continue to prove the doubters wrong. 

Houston Texans

The Broncos are obviously in a position to "shock" the NFL, but with all the media attention surrounding them, the Texans are more underrated at this point. 

The fact that they're onto their third-string quarterback T.J. Yates doesn't help, either. 

He played well in the second half against the Bengals a few weeks ago, but has been ineffective since then. 

With Arian Foster leading the way on the ground and their top-notch defense, they won't exactly be a pushover in January. 

With everyone focusing on Tom Brady, the Steelers, Ravens and Tim Tebow or the Oakland Raiders, Houston could sneak up and do some damage this postseason.