The NFL season is in the make or break stages for many teams over the next few weeks with playoff breaths on the line. The World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers are no longer in contention to repeat as they are out of the playoff picture after week 12.

Heading into the month of December we have five weeks left to go in the season with plenty of big games on tap.

Here are my top contenders to win Super Bowl XLI in Miami, Florida on February 5th, 2007.

AFC

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are the odds on favorite to have home field advantage in the AFC and the inside track to get to Miami. The Colts as advertised bring a potent offense on the field every week, but can they win the big game in the Playoffs? They have only two teams with a winning record left on their schedule in Jacksonville and Cincinnati so look for the Colts to be playing at home though-out the post-season.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have looked like the best team in the NFL at times this season and will make a strong run into the playoffs. San Diego had two of the best back-to-back come from behind wins you will every see vs. the Bengals and Broncos back in November. Their offense is led by the best player in football Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and first year starting Quarterback Phillip Rivers has played great football for Marty Ball. Look for the Chargers to get one of the top seeds in the AFC.

New England Patriots

You can never count the Patriots out of the Super Bowl hunt as long as Quarterback Tom Brady is in the lineup. The Patriots have beaten three NFC teams in the Vikings, Packers and their big win over the Bears. New England has not played well at home this season so the road maybe a good place for them come playoff time.

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens once again are just dominating on defense and they rank in the top five in almost every defensive category. The Ravens behind veteran Quarterback Steve McNair have shown they can win games from behind this season. Baltimore will win the AFC North and should get at least one playoff game at home.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos started the season red-hot winning five of their first six games with great defense. They have impressive wins at New England and at home vs. Baltimore and not much else on their resume this season. Now with talk of a Quarterback change veteran Jake Plummer may give way to rookie Jay Cutler out of Vanderbilt. Don’t look for the Broncos to make it deep into the playoffs again this year.

NFC

Chicago Bears

The Bears have just ripped though the NFC this season with their only loss’ coming to Miami and New England in the AFC. Chicago is doing it with defense behind all-pro linebacker Brian Urlacher The Bears have an easy December schedule and will win the NFC North and should get home filed advantage in the NFC.

Dallas Cowboys

Head coach Bill Parcells looked like he was at the end of his rope just weeks ago and out of the playoff race. The Cowboys are not only in the middle of things this year, they're even a little bit ahead of the pack thanks to a three-game winning streak behind the arm of Tony Romo, who is 4-1 as of this writing since taking over as the starting quarterback.

As the Cowboys head into the final five games of the season, they find themselves in sole possession of first place in the NFC East for the first time this year. Look for Dallas to get at least one home game in the Playoffs and if Romo continues to play well get deep into the playoffs.