With only three weeks left to shop for playoff spots, four teams are pulling away from the pack. The Patriots (11-2) and Steelers (10-3) look like the best two teams in the AFC, and the Falcons (11-2) and Saints (10-3) stand tall in the NFC.

But even the best teams have deficiencies. Sporting News asked a panel of three scouts for NFL teams to discuss the biggest weakness of each of Big Four and identify opponents who could attack those weaknesses in postseason.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Biggest weakness: Defense.

Scout says: "Because the Patriots' offense has been coming out of the gates like gang busters and putting immediate deficits on opponents, their defense is facing opposing offenses in predictable, catch-up, passing situations. If you can find a way early in games to stem the tide and keep the point differential tight, you have a chance to be successful against the Patriots.

"They haven't been as stout against the run. They don't necessarily have the ability to push offenses back in terms of pushing back the blockers. They're not as much of a downhill, push-you-back type of defense. Also, they're not getting the pass rush they've had in recent years. If you can pass protect against them, you can expose some situations in their young secondary."

Who could capitalize: The Chargers, Steelers and Ravens.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Biggest weakness: Offensive line.

Scout says: "Their tackles, in my opinion, are not very good. Flozell Adams has been around for a while. He's older, slower and doesn't move as well. Unless he gets his hands on you right away, he's going to struggle with any athletic defensive end. When you have that kind of issue, you're going to have to keep a back in to help him in pass protection and blitz pickup, which limits the number of guys you can send out on pass routes. If they don't do that, then QB Ben Roethlisberger is going to have to get the ball out fast.

"The leader of their line is their center, Maurkice Pounceyâ€”and he's a rookie. After that, the next best guy is guard Chris Kemoeatu. The other linemen are pretty much just average. Plus, they've had to deal with injury issues on the line all season long."

Who could capitalize: The Colts and Ravens.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Biggest weakness: Run defense.

Scout says: "They've given up a lot of yards on the ground (107.2 per game and 4.6 per carry. When other teams run, they get big chunks of yards against them. They're not real big and strong up front. That's where they're most susceptible.

"Their ends are light. They get up the field and rush the passer well, but a lot of times they take themselves out of position. When Carolina ran the ball at the ends on Sunday, the Falcons' ends had a hard time being stout, holding the point and turning the plays back inside."

Who could capitalize: The Giants.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Biggest weakness: Lack of patience.

Scout says: "They can score points, and if the opponent jumps out ahead the Saints can come back and score a lot. Where they get in trouble is if they have a three-and-out or a four-play drive. They get antsy and try to force big plays. And they throw interceptions when they try to force big plays. Drew Brees has more interceptions this year (18) than he had after 13 games last year (10).

"Sean Payton is not real patient at times. If they try to run the ball and it's not going well, they'll scrap it and totally get away from it. The Saints want to get the ball, score a lot of points and jump ahead on teams. I think that a team that can run the ball at them hard and force it down their throats, take control of the time of possession and limit the amount of possessions the Saints get, those are the type of teams that can give the Saints the hardest time."

Who could capitalize: The Giants and Falcons.