NFL Playoff Picture: Ranking the Top Teams Locked into Postseason Field

There are still a few playoff spots up for grabs as the NFL enters the final week of the 2011 regular season, but the elite group of teams have already been established. 

Most of those clubs are led by a stellar quarterback, who's piecing together a year for the ages, while a few of the best teams are winning with ferocious and intimidating defense. 

Let's rank those top teams already locked into the postseason. 

1. Green Bay Packers

I've been going back and forth on whether the Green Bay Packers or New Orleans Saints deserve the top spot. 

While Drew Brees has his team looking seemingly unstoppable, I've got to give the No. 1 spot to the 14-1 Pack. 

They had to bounce back from a loss for the first time this season and did so in a big way, destroying the Chicago Bears 35-21 on Sunday night. 

It is extremely close, but Aaron Rodgers may be the only quarterback playing better than Drew Brees right now, and the frequency in which the defense creates turnovers is the X-factor in it all.

With a rested offensive line and Greg Jennings for the playoffs, Green Bay is primed for another Super Bowl run.  

2. New Orleans Saints

Winners of seven straight, the Saints are the hottest team in the NFC. 

They've got the single-season passing year record holder in Drew Brees, who operates arguably the most difficult offense to stop in football. 

Not only does he often work the ball down the field to his speedsters, but he's ridiculously precise on the shallow and intermediate routes and can fall back on a masterful screen game.  

Don't forget about how well they run the football—127.9 yards per game. 

Add in an attacking defense and you'll understand why the Saints can give the Packers a run for their money in January. 

3. New England Patriots

What a surprise—the three best teams are being led by the three best quarterbacks. 

Although Aaron Rodgers or possibly Drew Brees will win the MVP this season, no player has meant more to his team than Tom Brady has to the Patriots in 2011. 

With a laughable defense, New England has needed a near masterful performance from No. 12 every time out. 

In just about every game, he's delivered. 

Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker are both over 1,000 yards receiving and although they bring a totally different skill set to the field, they're equally as terrorizing to opposing defenses. 

4. San Francisco 49ers

While the Packers, Saints and Patriots are scoring at will and shattering offensive records in the process, the 49ers are getting it done with defense. 

Alex Smith is a candidate for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year with his 16 touchdowns and five interceptions, but overall, San Francisco's offense isn't exactly scaring anyone. 

Even as the current No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, they're the fourth team on this list because of their inability to score touchdowns with great frequency. 

David Akers' field goals aren't going to win them many postseason games. 

Still, their defensive line is the best in football, and we're well aware of the dominance Patrick Willis displays when he's on the field. 

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are probably the AFC's most balanced club, but their inconsistency scares me. 

Joe Flacco can look like a top-five quarterback one week, then look like one of the most uncomfortable and flustered signal-callers the next. 

The defense is still good and has loads of playoff experience. 

Ray Rice is the X-factor. 

Actually, the amount of carries he gets is. 

He has a total of 36 carries in Baltimore's four losses this season. 

Their game plan should feature Rice receiving nearly 30 touches. 

It's that simple. 

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Everything hinges on Ben Roethlisberger's ankle. 

If he's 100 percent, the Steelers can compete on the road or at home, but if he can't improvise outside the pocket and extend plays, Pittsburgh could be bounced in the first round. 

The defense is still an elite unit, especially with James Harrison rushing the passer and Troy Polamalu the X-factor against the run and pass.

He roams. 

Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders formulate one of the most electric receiving corps in the NFL and will undoubtedly test any secondary they face.