4 teams with losing records most likely to make the playoffs

After three weeks of action, 17 NFL teams have records below .500. With 32 teams in the league, and 12 heading to the playoffs, it only stands to reason that a few teams currently down in the standings will rebound and end up in the postseason. At this point, it seems very safe to say Cleveland and Chicago, both 0-3 and with little hope of a major rebound, won't be in the playoffs. But which of the remaining 15 teams are most likely to end up playing once the regular season concludes? The list, organized by most likely to least likely for the playoffs, isn’t as long as you might expect.

Carolina Panthers (1-2)

Just by tape and roster study, the Super Bowl runner-up is still the class of the NFC South. Unfortunately for them, the Panthers not only had to go into Denver in the high altitude on opening night, but they've had to do battle with quite possibly the NFL’s top two defenses in the Broncos and Vikings - and Cam Newton’s body is feeling the affects of said matchups. The Panthers have more tough games ahead as they travel to Atlanta and its much improved offense this week, followed by home bouts with Arizona and Kansas City and then cross country road trips to Oakland and Seattle. A Week 4 win in Atlanta is crucial and would knock the Falcons to 2-2. Atlanta also has a brutal schedule coming up, so the Panthers could conceivably begin to pull away a little within the division. It's been proven on several occasions this is a much better offense when Jonathan Stewart is healthy. There are also looming concerns at offensive tackle and throughout the secondary. Another area that's really hurting the Panthers is special teams.

Arizona Cardinals (1-2)

The Cardinals have outscored opponents by 16 points through three games, making them the sub-.500 team with the best point differential. Buffalo, San Diego, and Carolina are the only other teams with losing records that have positive point differentials. While that's all well and good, Arizona still has a losing record, play in a division with a perennial powerhouse, and just got blown out in Buffalo. But if you're going to get blown out, doing so on the road early in the season against a non-conference team is the way to do it to best sustain playoff hope. Plus, there's no way Los Angeles, who they play next and trail in the standings, is a superior team. Like the Panthers, Arizona has been better on defense than offense and their special teams are not doing them any favors.

Cincinnati Bengals (1-2)

The Bengals are not playing bad football. Their schedule has been difficult with losses to Pittsburgh and Denver, and they desperately need Tyler Eifert to return to form. Right now, with the glaring exception of A.J. Green, the Bengals just lack the weaponry to keep up with the NFL’s top teams. Working against Cincinnati is they're in the same division with Pittsburgh and Baltimore. The Ravens are undefeated and have an easier schedule than the Steelers or Bengals, and Pittsburgh not only has a game lead over Cincinnati right now, but they also won their first head-to-head matchup. The Bengals’ schedule doesn’t get much easier, though, with road trips to Dallas and New England on the slate over the next three weeks. The Bengals' remaining AFC North contests could go a long way to determining if they end up in the postseason. There's a trend with these three teams: poor special teams play, a phase of the game that does matter.

AFC South team other than Houston Texans

While the Jaguars, Titans, and Colts are not playing playoff-caliber football; someone from the AFC South is going to end up in the postseason. Houston is still the favorite, but they were just manhandled in New England last Thursday and the news of J.J. Watt’s back injury is extremely disheartening. Tennessee has a very easy slate of games the rest of the way, but the Texans, despite struggling on offense and special teams, could send a message by whipping the Titans in Houston this week as the Jaguars and Colts face off in London. Could 8-8 win this division?

Long Shots: Detroit Lions (1-2), San Diego Chargers (1-2)