NFL Playoff Power Rankings

The NFL playoffs are underway and the 12 best teams are in. This makes for one of the more competitive series we’ve seen in a long time which mean the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl could be something special. Most of these teams however have a bunch of question marks which are addressed and mainly reflect on these power rankings. Let’s get started:

12. Houston Texans :

The Texans have surprised many by thrusting their way atop the lowly AFC south. It’s worth noting that 7 of their 9 wins came against teams with a combined record of 29-51. There are some positives here, such as a defense that ranks 3rd in total defense behind the Seahawks and the Broncos. An elite wide receiver in Deandre Hopkins who has dominated despite the atrocity that is their quarterback situation. Also in their first meeting against the Chiefs in week 1 they played great football even if they lost  27-20 at home. But one thing remains constant, and that is Brian Hoyer’s inexperience and mediocrity. While they are a sleeper in the AFC, they can only go as far as Hoyer’s inconsistent arm can take them.

11. Washington Redskins:

The Redskins have played tremendous football the last couple of weeks and remain a deep sleeper in the NFC. Kirk “Clutchins” is as hot as any quarterback right now throwing for 23 TDs to 3 Interceptions and completing over 73% of his passes over the last 10 weeks. The Redskins during that span have went 7-3 and have dominated the NFC East. With consistent defense and overachieving offensive play it’s not overly optimistic to believe they could compete with the Packers if not win that game. But this is where the lack of playoff experience pegs them down the pecking order as we simply cannot be certain which Kirk we’ll see this coming Sunday.

10. Green Bay Packers:

The nation of cheese are a struggling team to say the least. No one expected that the loss of Jordy Nelson for the season could impact the offense this much. It has impacted them more than Johnny Manziel’s partying. With two straight losses heading into the wild card round, momentum is not on their side. Add in the fact that Aaron Rodgers struggles on the road and we might have a serious problem. The greatness of Aaron Rodgers can only take them so far. Randall Cobb has proved that he is not a number 1 receiver. Eddie Lacy forgot how to run the ball and stop eating. This defense isn’t the most consistent in the world. And if it wasn’t for the experience and resume of Rodgers and McCarthy, this team would be dead last in the rankings.

9. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are coming off their first division title since 2009, dethroning the Packers with a strong defensive effort. But one thing that is holding them back is the inconsistent play of Teddy Bridgewater and the weakest receiving core of all the playoff teams. Teddy has only thrown for 14 TDs to go along with 9 giveaways. Stefon Diggs has been the second best rookie receiver this season although he was picked behind 22 receivers, yes 22, but inconsistency is to be expected during a rookie season and I just don’t believe this offense has what it takes to breakthrough a strong defense like Seattle’s. The last game against the Seahawks the second year pro threw for 118 yards, no TDs and a pick while completing just 61% of his passes. This is the most improved team in the league behind Carolina, but this year is just not their year.  

8. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are among the hottest teams in football right now, winning 10 straight games after starting the season 1-5 despite losing their best player Jamaal Charles. Andy Reid has continued the mentality of strong defense combined with a steady rushing attack. Alex Smith has been the ultimate game manager and the pass rush led by Tamba Hali and Justin Houston has continued to terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Also, in the 3 playoff games that Smith has played (2 with the 49ers), he has combined for 873 yards to go along with 9 touchdowns and no interceptions. It’ll be interesting to see whether the 10 year signal caller can continue his stellar playoff play. This team has all the tools to make a deep playoff push, a strong defense, rushing attack, and a QB who limits is mistakes; but whether the offensive output will be enough to compete with the other teams remains a big question mark.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

Big Ben and Co. have snuck in the playoffs thanks to Rex Ryan’s uncanny ability to prevent the Jets from making the playoffs. But nonetheless this is the better team of the two and Pittsburgh’s offense remains prolific and among the best in the National Football League. Led by Big Ben and the best receiver in the league Antonio Brown, this duo has proved that they cannot be stopped by any team and remain a force to be reckoned with. However, with the recent injury to Deangelo Williams we simply do not know if this running game can produce. Not only that, but this defense, which ranks 21st in league, is the worst among all the playoff teams. Add in the terrible loss to Ryan Mallet and a skate-by win over the lowly Cleveland Browns and momentum isn’t necessarily on their side.  But experience trumps all of that, and this defense has proved that although it bends quite a lot, it doesn’t break; and Mike Tomlin knows how win when the big lights come on. This is a scary team to play against   

6. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals have arguably one of the best rosters in football right now. But with AJ McCarron set to start in place of the injured Andy Dalton on Saturday, there is simply too many questions at the quarterback position. Even if Andy were able to play, it’s not like he has a positive playoff reputation. Still, the Bengals are 1st in the league in scoring defense and still host a dominant rushing attack and a top 5 receiver in AJ Green and a top red zone threat in Tyler Eifert. Whether the Bengals can win their first playoff game since 1990 is yet to be determined, but with strong coaching and a plethora of talent, this team continues to be one of the best in football.

5. Denver Broncos












The Denver Broncos are the 1st seed in the playoffs yet rank #5 on this list due to the big question marks on offense. Peyton Manning entered the game in the second half of the Chargers game and sparked a plug to their offense with his reads and uptempo offense. This defense is by far the best in football right now, ranking 1st in total yards allowed, passing yards allowed, sacks and 3rd in rushing yards allowed. The defense alone makes Denver a serious contender to win it all. However, I am worried about Manning’s 11-13 playoff record and 9 one and dones. But Peyton has never had a supporting cast quite like this one, and if the running game can show some consistency and Demaryius Thomas learns to stop dropping passes, they have a great chance to win the AFC with home field advantage.

4. Arizona Cardinals

One disappointing blowout loss to a division rival doesn’t trump the offensive success and consistency of the Arizona Cardinals. But it does look like the Seahawks could possibly be their kryptonite. This offense has by far the best receiving core in the league led by Larry Faithful and a strong rushing attack led by rookie David Johnson and Andre Ellington. Carson Palmer has played like an MVP candidate this season throwing for 4,761 yards, 35 TDs to 11 interceptions. But the loss of Tyrann Mathieu hurts this defense more than they think and the presence of All Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson can’t appease that situation. But this offense can put up points against anybody and remains a dangerous team that could represent the NFC come February.

3. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are the hottest team in football right now, and Russell Wilson is the hottest quarterback in the league right now. In the last seven games, the 3rd round pick has thrown for over 1,906 yards, 24 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Wilson and Baldwin has turned into one of the more dynamic duos in the league and even with injuries to Lynch and Rawls this offense is one of the hottest right now. Couple that with a revived defense that ranks #2 in the league as well as their experience and this team should be one of the favorites to take the NFC crown

2. New England Patriots

This generous spot in the rankings is due to 3 things: They’re the reigning champs, Bill Belichick, and Tom Brady. Other than that this team is not riding a lot of momentum and injuries continue to plague them. Losing four of their last six games and knocking themselves out of the 1st seed has hurt their momentum dramatically and their health remains the biggest obstacle to coming out of the AFC. Still, it’s hard to bet against the Brady bunch and if Gronk and Edelman are healthy enough to play in two weeks, they reclaim their spot as the favorites to win it all.

1. Carolina Panthers

Great job Falcons, you can’t beat the struggling New Orleans Saints at home but you can beat the Panthers and prevent them from boasting a perfect season. Oh the wonders of football. Superman Cam is the MVP of the league by far and he has taken this team to new heights. They are the favorites to win the NFC and they have showed us no reason to believe otherwise. Cam Newton has already tied Steve Young’s record for most rushing TDs by a Quarterback with 36 and his prime has only just begun. Ted Ginn Jr. has learned how to catch, Josh Norman and Luke Kuechly have made their case for DPOY, and Greg Olsen is the second best tight end in football. The loss of Charles Tillman will hurt but we all thought the Kelvin Benjamin injury would derail this team and look how that turned out. Cam Newton could be the greatest dual threat quarterback of all time when it's all said and done. It’s not wise to doubt a team on a mission so you can’t doubt the best football player in the NFL, Cam Newton.