~ Disclaimer: This article was written before the NFL games played on 10/30/16~

We're just about at the midpoint of the 2016 NFL season. A team's shot at the postseason gets narrower and narrower with each week that passes, but at this point, there's still a chance for teams that didn't start the season on their best foot to push through and land a spot in the playoffs. For teams like the 0-7 Cleveland Brows, postseason dreams are a little out of reach, but there are a two teams with losing records that I believe--with the right mix of factors--can stay in contention for a playoff berth.

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers have had a somewhat shaky season, but games like their win over Denver prove they've got what it takes to be a solid team. Philip Rivers is putting up good numbers this year, and Melvin Gordon shows a lot of promise as an up-and-coming running back. On defense, there's a lot of talent in young players like Joey Bosa and Jatavis Brown. However, being such a young team stands as the Chargers biggest problem right now. Cohesiveness and consistency seem to elude the team when they need it most, which has lead to big division losses this season.

If they can round up the talent they have and stay healthy, San Diego could certainly still make the playoffs. Unfortunately, that would ultimately require--to at least have anything more than a wildcard spot--winning out in divisional games, which would be and impressive feat in the very tough AFC West. A second win against Denver on the 30th would certainly set the stage for a comeback. Even if the Chargers can't secure a spot in the playoffs this season, they have the potential to be a successful team in upcoming years.

New Orleans Saints

As has been the case for the Saints in recent years, defensive struggles tend to be the main issue in terms of success. New Orleans has and continues to have one of the most prolific offenses in the league, but they often scrape by in the wins they do achieve. With one of the highest average PPG on offense and one of the worst PPG allowed on defense, the Saints are often left with both precariously close wins and losses.

Similarly to the Chargers, injuries have plagued both sides of the ball for New Orleans (though the offensive line has shown little decline in strength despite its shuffling of starters). As players like Delvin Breaux and first-round pick Sheldon Rankins return in the later half of the season, hopefully, the defense can ease the pressure on Brees and the offense to secure the wins. If the Saints can avoid penalty disasters like the game against Kanas City and can round out their remaining divisional games with wins, New Orleans could very well be back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.