Ranking the Playoff Teams

Going into the postseason some teams have much better chances than others to do damage. While some teams who were playing great football early in the year have cooled down while others who stumbled through the opening weeks have heated up. Here's how I see the teams going into the playoffs.

12. Arizona Cardinals

I know the team got hot during the postseason last year on their way to the Super Bowl but I don't see it this year. They play in an unbelievably weak division and they have shown me nothing this season to make me rank them any higher.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

Another example of a team I just don't believe in. I can't understand how they won that division but by some miracle they did. They are no real threat going into the playoffs and will probably exit early.

10. Baltimore Ravens

Didn't exactly have the year they did last year and probably won't have the same success in the playoffs. The AFC has some weak teams in the playoffs this season and the Ravens are just another example of that.

9. New York Jets

Another weak AFC team here. A major thing helping the Jets is that they have the best defense and best running game in the NFL and that could help you win games. I can see the Jets winning their first game but not doing much after that.

8. Green Bay Packers

They have been on a roll as of late but I just can't put them ahead of any of the other teams though it is close. If it weren't for a miracle touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger the Packers would be on a huge winning streak going in. They have a chance to make a run.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

A team can't play a worse game in the final week of the season. Philly had everything on the line against the Cowboys in Week 17 with the opportunity to gain a #2 seed in the NFC but wound up with the #6. The NFC playoff teams are strong and the Eagles need to turn it around if they want to compete.

6. New Orleans Saints

The first 13 weeks of the season seem to be a distant memory to the Saints who have played horrible football over the last month or so. I don't know if they can just turn on the switch and win a big game or not. They are still a dangerous team and it will be interesting to see what they bring to the table.

5. New England Patriots

I thought long and hard about putting the Patriots as low as 8 on this list but I just have a feeling that Brady and Belichick will come up huge once the playoffs come around. This is a very dangerous team that could pick off anyone.

4. Minnesota Vikings

I think their win last week over the Giants is more what this team is all about than what they did in the previous weeks. A game like that, regardless of how pathetic the opponent was, can get a team feeling good about itself and on a roll. They don't lose at home.

3. Indianapolis Colts

I feel like the Colts were very confused in the Jets game and they may have hurt them come playoff time. Peyton Manning will basically be coming off of about a month with limited playing time the Colts have proven before that resting players is no guarantee to success. They still have Manning though and that fact alone puts them here.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Is there a team playing better in the NFL right now? After going to New Orleans and taking out the previously unbeaten Saints the Cowboys then shutout Washington and Philly in back to back weeks en route to a division title. Tony Romo is playing at an all-time high and this defensive front is one of the best in the league. The Cowboys can go far in these playoffs.

1. San Diego Chargers

Well here's the team who might be playing better. The Chargers have had an unbelievable finish to the season and will no doubt carry it over into the playoffs. Philip Rivers is having an MVP caliber season and Norv Turner has finally proven himself in San Diego. Anything less than a Super Bowl would be a disappointment in San Diego.