Please bear with me on these rankings, because this is the first time that I’ve ever done something like this for the NFL. Many of you have probably seen Power Rankings before on ESPN.com, CBSSports.com, or one of the other major sports media outlets. However, my rankings are a little different from those that you are probably used to reading.
My rankings are based off of how prepared I think each team is for the playoffs, so essentially I am ranking them on how well I think they would fare in the playoffs. Also, unlike ESPN or CBS Sports, I am not going to rank all 32 teams. Instead, I will rank the top 6 teams in each league. Since there are still more than 12 teams that could potentially make the playoffs, not all the teams will be included in my list.
AFC
1. New England Patriots
It’s going to be hard to pick against the Pats come playoff time. They have already locked up home field advantage, and Tom Brady is having an MVP caliber season.
2. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore and Pittsburgh are almost interchangeable in the second spot. It may come down to who has home field advantage in the playoffs; then again, the teams split games in the regular season by winning on the road.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
I think the Steelers will need safety Troy Polamalu to be at full strength in order for them to beat the Ravens in the playoffs. Three points is all that separated the two teams in both games this season, so defense will be a huge factor if they end up playing a third time.
4. New York Jets
The Jets are not as good defensively as they were at this time last year. That could end up meaning a quicker exit in the playoffs than they were hoping for this season.
5. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are far too banged up on the offensive end, with no running game, to make noise in the playoffs in my opinion. Plus, they would have to have a better defense with the offensive issues they’ve had in order to truly be considered as a threat.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
They could prove me wrong, but I think they are a little too young and inexperienced to beat the likes of the Patriots, Ravens, or Steelers. They may be a year away.
NFC
1. New Orleans Saints
After watching the Monday Night game, I realized that the Saints are still the team to beat in the NFC. A couple of turnovers by Drew Brees, and the Saints still managed to beat the Falcons in Atlanta. Experience is extremely important, and the Saints have been there before.
2. Atlanta Falcons
Not far behind the Saints, but I think that Atlanta will need to play flawless football in order to beat New Orleans. If both teams make it to the NFC Championship game, it could end up being an instant classic.
3. Green Bay Packers
My preseason Super Bowl Champs pick, I still have faith in the Packers making a run in the playoffs. Green Bay has a better quarterback situation than both Chicago and Philadelphia, which is why they come in at number three on my list.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick has been taking a beating the past couple of weeks. While he is one of the most improved quarterbacks this season, I still don’t know if he has what it takes to lead his team to the Super Bowl. I think that the three teams ahead of Philly would still come out on top in a playoff scenario.
5. Chicago Bears
I don’t think I’m ready to say “Jay Cutler can lead the Bears to the Promised Land” quite yet.
6. St. Louis Rams
Much like the Bears, I don’t think that Sam Bradford can lead his team to the NFC Championship game this early in his career. However, St. Louis has a lot to build on for the future.
– K. Becks
