NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Handicapping Each Team's Super Bowl Chances

The NFL playoffs are set, and each team has a chance to win the Super Bowl.

That being said, some teams have slightly better chances than others.

By giving a percentage to each team, I will do my best to handicap each team's chances of winning the Super Bowl. Starting at the least likely and moving along to the most likely (regardless of conference), I will power rank each team's chances of winning the Super Bowl.

Remember, this is about winning the Super Bowl. I think anything can happen in the first round, even the second round. However, once the conference championships start happening, the best teams will come through.

Let's get to the rankings.

12. Cincinnati Bengals: 1 Percent

The Cincinnati Bengals have been a great story this year.

After the Carson Palmer debacle, they committed to Andy Dalton as their quarterback, and they haven't looked back.

They are back in the playoffs, but I don't see them going anywhere past the second round, let alone the Super Bowl. They haven't beaten a team that made the playoffs, and they're too young to do much.

They could beat the Houston Texans, but I think that's where the ride will end.

This isn't the last playoff visit for these young Bengals, but the Super Bowl is out of reach for this year.

11. Denver Broncos: 2 Percent

Tim Tebow made the Denver Broncos relevant again

Then, they came crashing back to earth.

The Broncos are riding a three-game losing streak into the playoffs, and Tebow is starting to prove the haters right. It's been an ugly few weeks for Tebow Mania, and now he gets to face the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

Look, I think Tebow has a chance to lead the Broncos over the Steelers. After that, they simply aren't good enough. I think Tebow can be an NFL quarterback, but he needs more weapons around him.

As much as I would like to see Tebow win the Super Bowl in his first year, then ride off into the sunset to cure cancer and save little children, I simply don't see it happening.

10. New York Giants: 4 Percent

Don't ever think you know what's going on with the New York Giants.

A few weeks ago, they looked like they would cruise the NFC East Title. Then, it looked like they would choke it away.

Somehow, they managed to do a little of both. They nearly choked it away, but they cruised over the Dallas Cowboys, winning the division easily.

Now, they are hoping to make some noise in the playoffs. They have a home game, then they will have to go on the road to keep their run going.

I'm not counting out the Giants, but they sure don't have a great chance of winning the Super Bowl. Then again, they didn't have a great chance in 2008.

We'll wait and see.

9. Houston Texans: 5 Percent

I think the Cincinnati Bengals have a good chance to knock of the Houston Texans in the wild card round.

However, I think the Texans have a better chance to make a deep run. They have a great running game, and they have a solid defense. I wouldn't want to face them later on in the playoffs.

That being said, they need to get past the first game. They aren't at 100 percent, and they could really use Matt Schaub.

Still, Arian Foster is a beast. As long as he's playing, the Texans can beat anyone.

The chances aren't great, but the Texans do have an outside chance of getting hot and making a run at the Super Bowl.

8. Detroit Lions: 6 Percent

Matthew Stafford is a dangerous quarterback.

He can make any throw, and he has the best receiver in the league to throw to. Unfortunately, he's also dangerous to his own team.

He turns the ball over a little more often than he would like, as he threw 16 interceptions this year. If he holds onto the ball, the Detroit Lions are extremely tough to beat.

However, they have to play the New Orleans Saints. If anyone is playing better football than Drew Brees, I would like to see it. The Lions defense got dismantled by Matt Flynn.

Good luck with Brees.

7. Atlanta Falcons: 7 Percent

I'm not sold on the Atlanta Falcons.

When it looked like they would play the New Orleans Saints, I thought they had a very good chance of winning that game. They probably wouldn't lose to a divisional foe for the third time this year.

That being said, they get to play a weaker New York Giants team. That's not a bad gig.

However, after that game, they will probably have to face the Green Bay Packers. I think they match up well with the Pack, but I don't see Aaron Rodgers losing his first playoff game.

The Falcons could get hot, but I'm not thinking they'll get to the Super Bowl, let alone win it.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8 Percent

You know what you'll get with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

They'll hit you hard. They'll wear you down. And Ben Roethlisberger will make enough big plays to win the game.

This year feels a little different.

While they kicked the crap out of the New England Patriots, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have beat them up. In addition, the Houston Texans played a very good game against them.

The Steelers are going to be a tough out, but I don't see them doing enough to win the Super Bowl.

5. San Francisco 49ers: 10 Percent

Jim Harbaugh turned the San Francisco 49ers around in a single season.

He turned Alex Smith into a competent quarterback. He coaches a great defense. Plus, he plays a field position game that gives his team a great chance to win.

That being said, I think they're a year away from being serious Super Bowl contenders. They will learn a lot in the playoffs this year, but they will probably fall short.

Whether it's the New Orleans Saints or Green Bay Packers taking them down, I don't see the 49ers getting out of the NFC.

Next year, they'll be serious contenders. This year, they'll learn how to win.

4. New England Patriots: 12 Percent

Never bet against the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady can do just about anything. When you factor in Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski, they're one of the most dynamic passing offenses in the NFL.

That being said, their defense is terrible.

If Brady has an off game, the Patriots will be knocked out. They don't make enough plays on the defensive side to win the Super Bowl.

I think Brady is good enough to lead them to a title. However, if he has even the slightest off game, they will be knocked out.

3. Baltimore Ravens: 13 Percent

The Baltimore Ravens just might be the most complete team in the NFL.

Their defense is still elite despite many people writing them off before the year. On offense, Joe Flacco is a solid quarterback, and Ray Rice is one of the best running backs in the league.

They hold onto the ball, and they make other teams play their style of play. They have a week off to get healthy, and then they have to try and make a run.

The Ravens will be tough to beat. However, if Joe Flacco turns the ball over, they are not nearly as tough to beat.

If he has a bad game, I see them getting knocked out in ugly fashion. Still, they are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl.

2. New Orleans Saints: 15 Percent

Drew Brees is playing unreal right now.

He plays in the perfect system, and he can't be stopped. It doesn't matter who he's throwing to (Jimmy Graham, Darren Sproles, Marques Colston). He will make the play.

The defense is good enough to get the job done. However, the Saints make the big plays on offense.

I'm not sure there's a defense that can completely shut them down. In addition, I don't see many teams beating them in a shootout.

We'll see where things go, but the Saints are going to be tough to beat.

1. Green Bay Packers: 17 Percent

Anyone surprised?

The Super Bowl Champions are 15-1 this year, and they have been the best team since defeating the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers is on another level right now, and he is throwing to the best receiving corps in the league.

The defense gives up a lot of yards, but they force enough turnovers to make up for it. They are a strong unit, and they are good enough to give Rodgers a chance to win every game.

Nothing is certain, but the Packers are really good. They know what it takes to win the Super Bowl, and they want to defend their crown.

Repeating is incredibly tough, but I think the Packers are good enough to do it. They're definitely the favorites, and a team will have to play a great game to beat them.

Good luck.