I think everyone can agree that there are realistically five teams that have a shot to win the Super Bowl.  I would rank the New England Patriots first, followed by the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers as the frontrunners to go far in the playoffs.  However, more teams do make the playoffs.  I have decided to take a look at some teams that could do damage this postseason.

San Diego Chargers:
A few months ago I wrote how the Chargers were one of the most disappointing teams this season.  After starting 1-3, who could argue that they weren’t?  But since that point, they have quietly gone 7-2.  This is a team that was picked to compete for a Super Bowl this year after their season came to an abrupt end in the playoffs last season.  LaDainian Tomlinson has re-established himself as one of the best players in the league after a slow start, and Shawne Merriman has become a force off the edge once again.  The problem for the Chargers is quarterback Philip Rivers.  He has been the Achilles heel, and will be the reason the Chargers advance or go home this postseason.  They proved they can compete with the top teams by defeating the Colts earlier in the year.  The way they pressure offenses makes them a good match-up against the Patriots as well.  Having Tomlinson, Merriman, and tight end Antonio Gates makes me think they can surprise some people, but for now, my confidence in Rivers is why I doubt it will happen.

Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Jaguars have won 4 of 5 only losing by 3 to the first place Colts.  The reason the Jaguars are a team that can make noise this postseason is they do not turn the ball over.  Starting quarterback David Garrard has only thrown one interception in 274 attempts which is an incredible stat.  Games are often dictated by the turnover ratio, and having a team like the Jaguars who protect the football is a positive sign when it comes to playing in January.  Running back Fred Taylor has showed no signs of slowing down averaging 4.9 yard per carry.  No receiver has 40 catches on the team, but there are five receivers with 25 or more catches.  I see that as a positive sign because it shows that Garrard is getting multiple players involved in the game.  This offense is not going to “wow” anyone, but they take care of the ball and I can not stress how important that is, especially in the playoffs where one play can be the difference of watching the next week from your living room or playing in the game.  The defense is vulnerable to the pass, but they are ranked 5^th against the run.  They also are only giving up 17.6 points a game.  The Jaguars are not a team with any superstars and for that reason alone they will not be favored to win any playoff game.  I see a team that will do enough things right that just maybe they will be able to knock off one of the big boys and advance.

Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks are already division champs in the NFC West and winners of five in a row.  They are trying to make a statement that they can compete with the Packers and Cowboys come playoff time.  Seattle is playing solid on both sides of the ball, but what stands out to me is that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is playing at a Pro Bowl level once again.  He is on pace for career highs in yards and touchdowns.  The Seahawks have become a pass first team and can score at anytime.  Hasselbeck is the leader of this team, and Seattle will go as far as he takes them.  I like Hasselbeck a lot, and I think that he can take over a game and put the Seahawks on his shoulders. The defense which is led by middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu and defensive end Patrick Kerney have been creating turnovers all year long and have been able to pressure the quarterback.  Kerney has 10 sacks in the last five games alone.  If they can create one big turnover in the postseason it will allow Hasselbeck and the rest of the offense to do what they do best and that is put the ball in the end zone.  I can say with a straight face that the Seahawks could very well end up in the Super Bowl.  They are best equipped for an upset. 

Minnesota Vikings:
Besides winning four games in a row and getting hot at the right time in the season, there is another reason why I see the Vikings being a sleeper in this year’s postseason.  They are ranked 1^st in rushing defense and rushing offense.  Experts always say that if a team can stop the run and are able to run the ball in the playoffs they will be able to succeed.  That is exactly what the Vikings do best and with the improve play from quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, the Vikings could possibly do some damage.  Teams will load up against the run, but with the two-headed monster between Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, it will be hard for teams to stop both guys.  It is also easier to defend a team when you make them one dimensional, and Minnesota does just that by taking away the run. The Vikings have the ingredients to make a playoff run, but they are probably a year away from being considered serious playoff contenders.

New York Giants:
The one compliment I can say about the Giants is that they are finding ways to win.  In the playoffs it does not matter if it is ugly or if it is pretty.  A win is a win, and right now the Giants are doing exactly that.  New York has not scored more than 21 points in any of their past six games, but won four of them. The Giants, also, have had more turnovers than their opponent in the last three games, but found a way to win two of those games.  The Giants will probably finish 11-5 on the year and be the top-seeded wildcard, but that is as far as I see them going.  The reason I give them a shot is because of the fact that they do find ways to win.  Some teams are just able to pull out a victory no matter how grim things look.  Quarterback Eli Manning has not looked great, but when the team needs him the most he shows up.  Receiver Plaxico Burress had a great game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Giants will be counting on him to make plays in January.  The defense is able to apply pressure to the quarterback with their defensive ends, and have been the bright spot all year for the team.  New York is banged up and being able to get their players healthy heading into the postseason will only be a positive for this group.