NFL Power Rankings: Who Is the Best Team in 2012 NFL Playoffs?

The top two teams in the NFL playoffs this year are the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints, and both make compelling arguments why one and not the other should be named the very best team that reached the postseason.

Both the Saints and the Packers have the top two offenses in the league this year, and though neither of the two teams have much to be excited about on defense, it really hasn't mattered much.

They're able to put up enough points to win against practically any opponent, which should aid both squads immeasurably in the playoffs this year.

That's thanks to their respective quarterbacks, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. The Saints' Brees ended the year as the holder of the single-season passing yardage record, completing 71.2 percent of his passes for 5,476 yards, 46 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also ran in a single touchdown.

Rodgers, who sat in Week 17, could have easily ended the year with over 5,000 passing yards had he played. He completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 4,643 yards and had 45 touchdowns to just six interceptions. A fairly mobile quarterback, Rodgers also carried the ball 60 times for 257 yards and three scores.

But a quarterback does not a team make, even though a team with one as talented as either Brees or Rodgers is set up well for success. Defense, and the run game are also necessary components for any championship team, and the Saints edge ahead of the Packers in both categories.

The Packers don't run the ball much, as evidenced by their 97.4 average rushing yards per game, good for 27th in the league. They've scored just 12 touchdowns on the ground this year, despite having a crew of capable backs.

The Saints are a top 10 rushing team in addition to their league-leading passing game, averaging 132.9 run yards per game. They've only scored 16 rushing touchdowns because of it, with Brees more likely to pass in the red zone than hand it off.

On defense, neither team is very impressive, but a slight edge goes to New Orleans, with the Saints giving up an average of 368.4 yards per game and a total of 339 points this season. The Packers, in contrast, are giving up 411.6 yards per game and have allowed 20 more total points this season, at 359.

Considering how many high-scoring and productive offenses both teams are likely to face in the NFC playoffs this year, those extra yards and points the Packers have been giving up might jeopardize their chances to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Though the Packers ended the regular season with a 15-1 record in contrast to the Saints' 13-3, when comparing the two teams it does seem that the Saints are overall the better team.

Ultimately, the best team in the playoffs this year will be the one that wins the Super Bowl. If that team is neither the Packers nor the Saints, then all the stats and evidence in the world cannot change the fact that the league's best team is the one that manages to win it all.

However, I can see the Saints making it further into the playoffs than the Packers this year, simply because they are both explosive and balanced. The Packers cannot boast both, and that's why they are edged out by the Saints this year.