NFL Power Rankings: Teams Soaring into the Playoffs

The Green Bay Packers may be the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, but we all know that anything can happen once the playoffs begin.

The New York Giants showed us this four seasons ago when they upset the vaunted New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII after losing their last two regular season games.

It just so happens that the Giants won the NFC East title on Sunday. They are one of three teams soaring into the playoffs.

3. New York Giants (9-7)

The Giants may have been inconsistent throughout the regular season, but they appear to have hit their stride at the perfect time.

After starting 7-8, the Giants won their last two games against the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. They still have a man by the name of Eli Manning, who is always dangerous, and rookie receiver Victor Cruz gives them that "X-factor."

The Giants play the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Round and I expect them to win a squeaker in New York.

2. New England Patriots (13-3)

The Patriots, despite some concerns with their pass defense, have won their last eight games.

Sure, they didn't play very good teams along the way, but the reality is that their offense is always explosive behind quarterback Tom Brady, and head coach Bill Belichick is as prepared as anyone in the NFL.

Plus, there isn't a team in the AFC that bothers me against the Patriots, and that includes the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

1. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

The Saints, like the Patriots, have a suspect defense, but they've won their last eight games and that includes wins against the Giants, Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons (twice).

They've scored 42 points or more in each of their last three games, have elite quarterback Drew Brees and have a better rushing attack than last season, adding Darren Sproles in the offseason.

They are a legitimate threat to knock out the Packers before the Super Bowl.

Ryan Rudnansky's Final Regular Season Power Rankings

Rank	Team	Record
1	Green Bay Packers	15-1
2	New England Patriots	13-3
3	New Orleans Saints	13-3
4	San Francisco 49ers	13-3
5	Baltimore Ravens	12-4
6	Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4
7	Detroit Lions	10-6
8	Atlanta Falcons	10-6
9	Houston Texans	10-6
10	New York Giants	9-7
11	Cincinnati Bengals	9-7
12	Philadelphia Eagles	8-8
13	Tennessee Titans	9-7
14	Dallas Cowboys	8-8
15	New York Jets	8-8
16	Denver Broncos	8-8
17	Oakland Raiders	8-8
18	San Diego Chargers	8-8
19	Arizona Cardinals	8-8
20	Seattle Seahawks	7-9
21	Chicago Bears	8-8
22	Buffalo Bills	6-10
23	Miami Dolphins	6-10
24	Carolina Panthers	6-10
25	Washington Redskins	5-11
26	Jacksonville Jaguars	5-11
27	Kansas City Chiefs	7-9
28	Cleveland Browns	4-12
29	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4-12
30	Minnesota Vikings	3-13
31	St. Louis Rams	2-14
32	Indianapolis Colts	2-14