Four overlooked NFL teams that could sneak into the playoffs

While teams like the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders have gotten off to fast starts, there is a glut of teams hovering around the .500 mark that are in playoff position right now. For instance, the Washington Redskins are currently holding down the final NFC playoff spot with their 4-3-1 record.

But what about teams without winning records? Do any of them have a realistic shot at the postseason?

Given that this is the NFL, there certainly is room for a team that has gotten off to a shaky start to make a move and get into the playoff picture. Here are four teams that fit that mold.

Carolina Panthers (3-5)
The Panthers have had a tough first half of the season. They got off to a 1-5 start after getting rolled in Super Bowl 50. The offseason losses have become tougher than expected to replace, and Cam Newton's MVP persona has turned into one of a moody complainer. Still, opportunity awaits. As mentioned before, the Redskins are holding that final wild card spot, and the Panthers are just two losses back of Washington (and get the Redskins in Week 15). Carolina does have to play in Oakland and Seattle in consecutive weeks and has the Chiefs coming to town this Sunday so there is little wiggle room.

But the defense has been playing better, and the Panthers do get to face all three divisional foes remaining (they lost their first go-around against those teams) plus San Diego. If they can win those three division games and beat the Chargers, they'd be 9-7 and have a decent shot at a wild card spot. Add in the fact that the Atlanta Falcons have a bit of a daunting schedule ahead, and an NFC South division title isn't out of the question. Also know Cam Newton's history: He is 31-12 in November, December and January.

Buffalo Bills (4-5)
Buffalo has been one of the streakiest teams in the league. After a shocking 0-2 start to the season, the Bills reeled off four wins that included the New England Patriots' lone defeat. They have lost the three games since: The Patriots got their revenge, and Buffalo lost a tough battle in Seattle.

The bye is this week for Buffalo, but on the other side are some winnable games. The Bills get the Jaguars, Browns and Dolphins at home as well as host a Steelers team that has struggled on the road. Of their final seven games, only one is against a team that currently has a winning record (Raiders). The Bills are the second best rushing team in the NFL and will face some of the worst rushing defenses to close out the season. They won't catch New England, but in a world where the AFC North and South are middling, there is an opportunity for the Bills to catch one of those AFC teams for a wild card berth.

New Orleans Saints (4-4)
Most people don't really know the Saints are sitting at 4-4, but here they are after winning four of their last five contests. Drew Brees is having a throwback season by slinging the ball and tearing up the league with the NFL's fourth best offense.

The schedule is kind of favorable as well. They get the Rams, Lions and Buccaneers at home and travel to Tampa, Arizona and Carolina — all very winnable games. They could also lose those games as their defense is far from efficient, but winning nine or 10 is certainly possible.

San Diego Chargers (4-5)
What? When you look at the Chargers sitting in last place in a division where the other three teams have three of the four best records in the AFC, you may think I'm crazy for writing this. Remember that they blew a huge lead against the Chiefs in Week 1 and have followed it up with late-game mistakes that cost them wins over the Colts, Saints and Raiders. They've lost their five games by an average of 4.4 points. The Chargers could realistically be a 6-3 or 7-2 team right now.

But they aren't. Still, the Bolts have a really favorable schedule with both their remaining division games at home against the Raiders and Chiefs. Add in there games with Miami, Tampa Bay and a trip to Cleveland, and San Diego could make a run at one of those wild card spots. If the Chargers can button up their mistakes and continue to play solid offensive football, then they have that ability to get to the postseason.