NFL Playoff Scenarios: Projecting the Top Super Bowl Contenders After Week 16

Heading into the season finale, the top Super Bowl contenders are clear-cut. 

A few teams have been steady for the majority of the season, while others made their case with a late-season tear.

These are the top Super Bowl contenders after Week 16's action.

Green Bay Packers 

Duh.

Anyone who thought the Kansas City Chiefs laid the blueprint to the Packers and they'd begin to struggle, think again. 

Aaron Rodgers is operating his offense as well, if not better than the guy down in New Orleans or the steady leader in New England. 

The defense leads the league in turnovers and despite the offensive line injuries, it did a spectacular job protecting Rodgers against the Bears last week. 

The road to the NFC championship goes through Green Bay, Wisconsin and the defending Super Bowl champions are primed to win another Lombardi Trophy.

New Orleans Saints 

Talk about an electric offense that's led by a tremendous quarterback. Drew Brees deserves MVP consideration with 20 touchdowns and two interceptions during the Saints' current seven-game winning streak. 

The defense isn't terrific in terms of stopping its opponent, but they fly to the football, constantly deliver punishing hits and have a wily veteran in Jonathan Vilma controlling the middle. 

Certainly a major threat to the Packers. 

New England Patriots 

We've witnessed the Patriots win in just about every way this season. They were down 17-0 at the half at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16. Then, Tom Brady took over, as usual. He's also having an MVP-worthy season and has carried his team—despite an extremely weak defense—to the top of the AFC. 

They should enter the playoffs on a eight-game winning streak.

The defense though, needs to make some tweaks and alterations. 

Big time.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have won five of their last six, and got back to prominently featuring Ray Rice. Nothing against Joe Flacco, but his team is much more difficult to beat if he throws less than 30 times while Rice receives around 30 touches.

You know what you'll get from the defense, though they've shown to be a bit weaker than we've seen in the past. There's tons of playoff experience on this team, which is invaluable. 

Win on Sunday, and the Ravens host their first postseason game of the Flacco era.