Five in, Five Out: The NFL Playoff Complex

The 2012 NFL season was madness. Things happened that we have never seen happened before while that could be said every year, it seems like last year had a unique feel to it. For the first time in over a decade, the National Football League did not get five new playoff teams. This is weird quirk in the league and truly showing the depth of the NFL. Instead they got four, but we here at SnoTap believes that is a blip in the trend.

Three of new playoff teams last year had rookie quarterbacks and the other one had a one-year quarterback with a freak running back. We are bound to get this wrong just like last year when we gave Indianapolis, Seattle and Minnesota no shot.

This year seems to be very hard again to predict given they're so many teams that could be in the playoffs. The NFC has two teams in each division worthy of a playoff spot if not more while the AFC does not have that much depth yet they still have very good teams on the cusp of the playoffs.

The Vince McMahon No Chance in Hell Group

Oakland Raiders - The quarterback situation is a complete mess. They seem to have too many missing pieces at this very moment. In my opinion, this will be the worst team in the National Football League. I cannot see them being very successful.   

Jacksonville Jaguars - I like the direction the Jaguars are heading because they will be back in the playoffs in the next three to five years without question.  They have nothing going for them at quarterback, but their defense is not shabby plus Maurice Jones-Drew is still a monster.  

San Diego Chargers - This is a team no one is circling as a squad who might pick in the first five picks in the 2014 NFL Draft. Phillip Rivers is not a good quarterback anymore and even though Mike McCoy is an upgrade from Norv Turner, I feel confident in saying Rivers' goose is cooked. 

New York Jets - Another team in freefall. They will be the most talked about 4-12 team of all-time. I cannot see Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith reviving this team with the wide receiving core and their running game although that part could be improved versus last year.  

Maybe a chance, but the same chance as I have of getting gold toilets unless I'm Kanye 

St. Louis Rams - I think the Rams have the best chance out of this group. They are a good team playing in a tough division. If the Rams were in the AFC West, they might be a playoff team, but the fact they play in NFC West is a death blow to this team's chances playing San Francisco and Seattle twice a year. 

Buffalo Bills - I just do not see it this year. I thought the Bills had a great draft and as we learned last year, rookie classes can make all the difference. I think they are a couple years away from being a playoff contender, but their window is more open than ever before. 

Tennessee Titans - They really could be in the Vince McMahon category. Jake Locker does not seem like an NFL quarterback. Chris Johnson could be truly hit or miss. They added some more on the line and defense, but that does not feel like it would be enough. 

Carolina Panthers - I would love to put the Panthers in the sleepers category and this will be something we touch on in our 32 in 31 series in August but their schedule is absolutely ridiculous for a team that drafted in the first 16 picks. Poor Cam Newton.  

Sleepers That Aren't Sleepers 

Philadelphia Eagles - A team where the hype is way bigger than what this team will actually be this year. They still need a year or two to really formulate a team for Chip Kelly. He will not have all the pieces there this year which will lead people will make wild opinions about this team that are unjust.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I wish I could trust this team more. I love Josh Freeman but he is so inconsistent. If he hits, this team could be a playoff contender without question with their running game and their offensive line plus their talented receivers.  The offense is there, the defense is there, but is their quarterback going to be along with them?  That question remains unanswered.   

Cleveland Browns - People are high on the Browns because they have some true talent there with Trent Richardson and Joe Haden as well as a blue-chip player like Joe Thomas. Cleveland will definitely win some games, but the fact they have one of the worst quarterback groups in the NFL will bite them hard.  

Actual Sleepers 

Detroit Lions - With a team with four wins, the assumption would be they have an easy schedule for the season. That is inaccurate as they have to play the NFC East and AFC North, both tough divisions. The Lions added some pieces, but they will need to be better in the secondary to be a playoff team. If they are, they could get back to the playoffs.      

Arizona Cardinals - They would have to catch a ton of breaks in the NFC West, but they have a strong defense plus quality special teams with Patrick Patterson and the Honey Badger. They added Carson Palmer giving Larry Fitzgerald is first true quarterback in awhile. I am not saying Palmer is an elite quarterback, but he is an upgrade from the John Skelton's of the world.

Miami Dolphins - I could really buy this team into the playoffs. They have a solid defense and play in a weak division that could be weaker with the unknown ceiling of the New England Patriots. Ryan Tannehill's second year could be great. Yes the same guy I completely shitted on all throughout last year and during the NFL Draft, but hear me out. He had a pretty good season and could take his game to another level.    

The Great Five 

Dallas Cowboys - It is put up or shut up time for this team. The NFC East is a very tough division to break through yet the Cowboys seem to be putting it all together to make a playoff run. Dez Bryant looks like he might be the superstar wide receiver, their defense is tougher than people give it credit for and I feel more confident that their line can protect Tony Romo than ever before.   

New Orleans Saints - If I were heading to Vegas, I would put a lot of money on this team making the playoffs plus hitting their over in terms. Sean Payton being back for this team is a huge boost for this team and will help them immediately. They also added some talent all over the field. While Drew Brees interceptions totals scared me last year, he is still a hell of a quarterback and someone whom can wins games on his own.  

Pittsburgh Steelers - A team that did a great job at rebuilding for a year and they should be ready to contend again. Big Ben was not healthy for the entire season and for what seems to be the sixth straight year, the offensive line could not have been more of a disaster. Big Ben is healthy, line looks better and their defense will be top notch again as well.  

Kansas City Chiefs - Andy Reid has only three seasons where his team did not have at least eight wins. The Chiefs were plagued by injuries last season with Eric Berry and others. Adding Eric Fischer to their offensive line will help them out big time along with Brandon Albert. Add to the fact, they are playing in the weak AFC West.  This might be a playoff team.   

Chicago Bears - It feels like the Bears will be a playoff team. They should have been last year. Their schedule is not easy by any means, but I feel Jay Cutler plays at another level this year among other things they improve on.  Their defensive front seven worries me a bit, but they still have many playmakers that can force turnovers, something the Bears pride themselves on.

Charlie.