NFL Playoff Picture: Realistic Best-Case Scenario for Teams in the Postseason

For some teams, advancing to the Super Bowl is simply not realistic.

For others, anything short of the Vince Lombardi Trophy would be a major disappointment.  

Making the postseason was a good accomplishment, but some teams simply don't have the makeup to win it all.

Let's look at the best case scenario the clubs currently in the postseason picture.  

Green Bay Packers

Let's see—the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions and are 14-1 with home-field advantage throughout the postseason. 

Aaron Rodgers will win the MVP and their receiving corp is still among the most dynamic in the NFL. 

The defense isn't as intimidating as it was last season, but their 29 interceptions lead the league. 

With the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC going through Green Bay, the best case scenario for the Packers is clearly winning a second straight title. 

San Francisco 49ers

With a shot at a first-round bye, the 49ers may only have to play one game at home before likely facing Green Bay in the NFC Championship game. 

They won't get it done the same way as the Packers, but the San Francisco 49ers surely have what it takes to advance to the Super Bowl. 

Although they say defense wins championships, playing against the tremendous offenses in the NFC won't be easy. 

David Akers' field goal aren't going to lead San Fran to a Super Bowl title. 

If they make it to Indianapolis, they'll potentially either face a team like the Patriots that can score at will or a well-balanced club like the Ravens or Steelers. 

The Niners' best case scenario is advancing to the Super Bowl, unless the offense takes a giant leap forward. 

New Orleans Saints

The Saints won the Super Bowl two years ago with Drew Brees under center, and their signal-caller is having the best season of his career. 

He broke Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record on last night and has a 41 touchdowns on the season. 

Winners of seven straight, they're the hottest team in the NFC at this juncture. 

Nothing is more important than heading into the postseason playing your best football. 

Best case scenario for New Orleans is hoisting another Lombardi Trophy in February.

New York Giants

The Giants certainly have the overall talent to win a Super Bowl, but are they consistent enough?

Definitely not. 

Some believe Eli Manning moved into the elite quarterback discussion this season, but do elite quarterbacks throw three interceptions with no touchdowns against the Washington Redskins at home in a game with major playoff implications? 

I'm not so sure. 

The defense flashes moments of dominance, then they are thrashed by opposing quarterbacks and receiving corps. 

They've made a triumphant run to a Super Bowl title before as the underdogs. But, this year they simply aren't reliable enough to unseat the NFC's best. 

Best case scenario for this club is the NFC championship game. 

Detroit Lions

While they were wildly inconsistent earlier in the season, the Lions have won three straight and are averaging more than 30 points per game over that stretch. 

With the premier talent on both sides of the football, there's no telling how far Detroit can go in these playoffs. 

Calvin Johnson is quite the dynamic weapon for Matthew Stafford, and Ndamukong Suh leads a respectable defense. 

I'm just not sure if they're disciplined enough to stay with the league's better clubs, and they can't rely on fourth quarter comebacks in January. 

Best case scenario for the men from the Motor City is the NFC championship game. 

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are a tough team to figure out. 

On paper, with Matt Ryan running the show, and with Michael Turner on the ground and with Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez running flying all over the field on offense, you'd think they'd be a Super Bowl favorite. 

While their offense is capable of winning in a shootout, the defense has greatly underachieved in 2011, especially the secondary. 

Then again, playing Drew Brees twice certainly doesn't make a defense look any better. 

Best case scenario for Atlanta is the NFC championship game, although it's a long shot. 

New England Patriots

With Tom Brady at the helm, anything less than a Super Bowl title would be a colossal disappointment for the Patriots, right? 

While the Patriots faithful, a group of millions that have grown accustomed to winning, would be deeply saddened by another early exit in the postseason, it's distinctly possible. Once again. 

It's hard betting against No. 12, but New England's defense will ultimately doom their chance at a fourth Super Bowl championship in the new millennium. 

Brady has been outstanding over the Pats' seven game winning streak, but how will he fare against the best defenses in the AFC come January?

How about the Pats trying to stop someone like Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees in the Super Bowl? If Brady doesn't put on a masterful performance, New England is susceptible.

Shockingly, the best case scenario for the Patriots is an appearance in the Super Bowl. 

Baltimore Ravens

We've all been hard on the Ravens in their four losses this season, and rightfully so. 

They have the ideal makeup to win the Super Bowl, but when they play down to competition.

It's maddening. 

Now that they've seemingly shown a dedication to getting their best player, Ray Rice, the football near 25 to 30 times a game, it alleviates pressure from talented but sometimes flustered signal-caller Joe Flacco. They've got a fantastic chance to make a deep run in the postseason. 

The defense has been exposed at times, but I'll take all their postseason experience any day of the week. 

Best case scenario for this club is a Super Bowl title. 

Houston Texans

Nothing against T.J. Yates, but the Texans chances of making a deep run in the playoffs are greatly hindered by the rookie, former third-string quarterback. 

He has struggled the last two weeks, and simply cannot stretch the defense.

Houston has a stout defense and one of the most dangerous runnings back in the NFL in Arian Foster, but how far can they go without a dynamic passing game or a posed signal-caller?

Best case scenario here is one playoff win. 

Denver Broncos

For as much media attention as the Broncos received during Tim Tebow's stunning six-game winning streak, the Broncos are simply not a great football team. 

We've seen that over the last two weeks. 

With a win on Sunday over the Chiefs, Denver wins the AFC West, and get a first-round playoff game. 

Their receiving corp isn't overly intimidating and teams are starting to figure out Tebow's spread-option offense.

Where has Von Miller been? 

If the Broncos can win postseason game, that'll be considered a success. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are still a title contender, correct? 

Most definitely. 

But everything hinges on the ankle of Ben Roethlisberger. 

If he's fully healthy for the postseason and can make plays after eluding pass rushers, Pittsburgh can undoubtedly advance to the Super Bowl. 

The defense is still elite, the receiving contingent is loaded with speed and game-altering ability and Rashard Mendenhall is an ideal playoff back who can wear down opposing defenses. 

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have rebounded from a tough stretch over the last month with two consecutive victories that have placed them in hunt for the final wild-card spot. 

Andy Dalton has received a great deal of notoriety for his solid rookie campaign, but A.J. Green has been the key to the young signal-caller's success. 

Green consistently comes down with jump balls down the field and is a reliable possession guy as well. 

The defense isn't elite, but certainly is strong enough to slow down AFC playoff opponents. 

With a respectable effort from Dalton, some big plays from Green, power running from Cedric Benson and a typical performance from their defense, Cincinnati could surprise a few clubs in January. 

Best case scenario for Cincy is the AFC championship game.