AFC Playoff Picture: One Reason to Believe Every Playoff Team Wins It All

Every team makes the playoffs for a reason. While each team in the NFL has benefited from a little luck this season—and a lack thereof at times—luck alone cannot get a team into the playoffs.

It takes skill and talent, hard work and, of course, the ability to consistently and convincingly win that gets a team into the postseason, and as such, each team that has made it into the playoffs has a reason why they could win it all and be Super Bowl champions when all is said and done.

In the following slides, I detail that one reason for each team in the AFC playoff picture. For reference, I will be going off of the playoff standings as they are at this moment, with the Denver Broncos winning the AFC West and the Cincinnati Bengals securing the final wild-card berth.

New England Patriots

The New England Patriots boast the highest-scoring, most productive offense in the AFC, thanks to the excellent quarterback play of Tom Brady and his many talented receivers.

They simply field too many offensive weapons, and for that single reason, the Patriots could both go to and win the Super Bowl this season.

Baltimore Ravens

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Baltimore Ravens, the biggest defensive powerhouse in the AFC.

While efficient and effective when their offense is playing at its best, the defense is consistently playing at a high level, earning them wins over some of the toughest teams in the league.

If defense wins championships, then the one the Ravens field could carry them all the way to a Super Bowl title.

Houston Texans

Young and inexperienced, the Houston Texans have reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates took the reins of the team's offense after starter Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart both went down with season-ending injuries, with mixed results.

It's been a dream season so far for the Texans, despite the injuries that have plagued them in all phases of the game. Their ability to overcome seemingly the most serious obstacles a team could face is a good indication the Texans have what it takes to win the Super Bowl this year.

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos have not technically clinched the AFC West, and with it a playoff berth, but should they make it, they do have enough going for them to win the Super Bowl this season.

At this point, the Broncos are aware of their strengths and weaknesses and the limitations and skills of quarterback Tim Tebow. They know what they need to do to win games and what goes wrong and leads them to losses.

If the Broncos can stick with the running game, rely on their defense and don't try to engage in shootouts, they can grind out wins.

They have proven they can be successful despite not passing the ball much or very effectively; thus, that's a good reason why they can reach the Super Bowl and win it, even over teams with elite quarterbacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the best overall offenses in the league, as well as a top-10 defense. Both are important for a playoff team, to be sure, and it's something few teams in the NFL are lucky enough to have.

But it's the Steelers' playoff experience that is the biggest reason they can reach and win the Super Bowl this season. Since 2001, Pittsburgh has only missed the postseason three times and have been to three—and won two—Super Bowls in that span.

Playoff experience is a key advantage the Steelers have over every other team in the NFL, and it's the top reason they could win it all this year.

Cincinnati Bengals

While playoff experience is a major asset for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals' youth might just be the best thing they have going for them should they clinch the second AFC Wild Card berth and make it to the postseason this year.

Behind rookie quarterback Andy Dalton and rookie wide receiver A.J. Green, the Bengals offense has looked sharper than ever this year. It doesn't hurt that they have a solid running game to supplement it and a good defense that rarely forces Dalton to play from significantly behind.

Yes, they lack experience, and yes, they're young. But with so much talent on the roster, there's reason to believe the Bengals could win it all and be NFL champions this year.