NFL Playoff Picture: Which Teams Have Most Momentum Heading into January?

Although having a solid game plan, talent in the receiving corps, a sound running attack and an aggressive defense that's disciplined are important, nothing is more important than entering the postseason with momentum. 

Look at the Green Bay Packers of a year ago. 

They won their last two games of the regular season, and Aaron Rodgers was starting to heat up. 

The rest is history. 

Let's look at the teams that will have the most momentum heading into this season's playoffs.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are riding high after their seventh straight victory, which clinched another AFC South title against the Atlanta Falcons.

Oh, and Drew Brees threw for a lot of yards this season. 

More than anyone ever has in the history of the NFL. 

Quite the feat. 

If they can handle Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (they should), they'll finish the year 8-0 at home and will enter the playoffs on an eight-game tear. 

New England Patriots

Not to be outdone by the Saints, Tom Brady and the Patriots are on a nice seven-game winning streak, too. 

The defense hasn't demonstrated much improvement during that period, but it hasn't mattered. 

Outside of Brady's nearly perfect second half of the season, Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez have been extremely instrumental. 

Maybe New England will have to win in a few close affairs to reach the Super Bowl this year. 

Baltimore Ravens 

The Ravens are the AFC's most balanced team. 

No doubt. 

Ray Rice is the team's MVP, and when he gets more than 25 touches, they're difficult to beat. Joe Flacco has the arm strength and accuracy to find burner Torrey Smith down the field and Anquan Boldin is a fantastic possession option with explosive capability. 

Don't forget about their defense.

While it is not as intimidating as it was in years past, it's loaded with experience and is playing within a great, attacking scheme that features a variety of blitzes.