NFL Playoff Picture: Detroit Lions and Underdogs Ready to Shock the World

The NFL playoffs are just a week from exploding into the American psyche, and the picture is becoming clearer by the day.

Teams like the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals were not expected to do much this season but have played well enough to be serious contenders for a Super Bowl berth.

All of the following teams have the chance to make a serious splash in the playoffs if they get the right matchups and play to the fullest of their abilities.

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have faced much adversity so far this season, but they say adversity breeds character.

With Matthew Stafford under center and Calvin Johnson out wide, the Lions will always have a chance to win a game offensively.

If the Lions want a chance against any team they face, they need to make sure their defense is playing well but playing smart. Bad penalties can kill a young team like Detroit.

New Orleans Saints

With Drew Brees and the potent Saints offense pumping on all cylinders right now, there isn’t a defense in the NFL that could stop them.

The return of Jonathan Vilma to the defensive side of the ball may be the biggest key for the Saints run at a Super Bowl this season.

New Orleans showed it can stand toe to toe with the Green Bay Packers like they did in Week 1, so that matchup may be the inevitable NFC Championship. That would be epic.

Cincinnati Bengals

The key to a run deep into the AFC playoffs is always a strong defense and a solid run game. The Cincinnati Bengals are ready.

While Cedric Benson isn’t an elite back, he knows how to carry the workload and is good at keeping the chains moving. He also has help from the rookie QB-WR tandem of Andy Dalton and A.J. Green.

Add in their stellar defense and the Bengals just could be good enough to make a surprise run this season.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s NFL Page to get your fill of all things football.

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