NFL Power Rankings: Breaking Down the Playoff Teams First to Worst

The Green Bay Packers are the best team in this year's NFL playoffs.

This shouldn't come as a surprising statement, but it's one that needs to be made none the less.

With teams like the Saints breathing down their necks and a plethora of juggernauts that could come out of the AFC, the Packers are still the class of the NFL.

The thing about the NFL playoffs though, is that anything can happen, and when two teams get on the field, the seeding is the last thing that matters.

Look no further than the Seattle Seahawks' upset of the Saints last year for proof of that point.

There is something to be said for power rankings though, especially before the start of a long playoff push.

The playoff seedings oftentimes don't take power rankings into account, specifically because it's all about who won the division, and then records, tie-breakers, so on and so fourth.

Even if a team won the division, they may not be stronger than their opponent.

With that in mind, I give you these power rankings of all the teams in the playoffs, first to worst.

1. Green Bay Packers

It goes without saying, the Packers are the defending Super Bowl champions. They come into the playoffs with a 15-1 record and boast a quarterback that threw for 4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns and only six interceptions in Aaron Rodgers.

While the defense may give up a lot of yards, they are first in the league with 31 interceptions and play big when it matters most.

2. New Orleans Saints

It's going to be tough to stop the Saints in a one-and-done format. This team can score on you in a hurry, especially if they're at home  Drew Brees had a record-breaking year with 5,476 yards and 46 touchdowns, but they also have a good running game, which makes them very balanced on offense.

There aren't too many teams that can keep up with the Saints.

3. New England Patriots

The Patriots defense is absolutely horrible, but they have Tom Brady. Everybody knows that Brady knows what he's doing in the playoffs, and there aren't many other I'd choose to lead my team to a Super Bowl.

Add to that the fact that tight end Rob Gronkowski is playing out-of-his-mind good with 17 touchdowns on the season, and this is a team that can do a lot of damage in the weaker AFC conference.

4. San Francisco 49ers

How can a team with a rookie head coach and Alex Smith at quarterback possibly do anything in the playoffs? They feature a defense that is first in the league in run defense, only allowing 77.3 rush yards per game, and run for 127.4 yards per game themselves behind Frank Gore and his 1,211-yard and eight-touchdown season.

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens win using the same strategy the 49ers do, running game and defense. They have a slight offensive advantage though with Joe Flacco at quarterback, and Ray Rice had a huge year with 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground, as well as 704 yards and three touchdowns receiving. 

The Ravens are also a very experienced team, especially in the playoffs, which will come in handy.

6. Detroit Lions

The Lions boast an offense that may be near unstoppable, and a wide receiver that is unstoppable. Calvin Johnson had an amazing year, putting up 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns, but also credit quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had a historical year himself with 5,038 yards and 41 touchdowns.

First-round matchup aside, the Lions' biggest flaw is on defense and in the running game, which can be a killer in the playoffs. They may put up a lot of points, but they will allow their opponent to move the ball as well.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers are coming into these playoffs a bit banged up, which isn't going to help their cause. They still have a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger though, and a defense that is first in the league with 171.9 opponent passing yards per game allowed, and eighth with 99.8 rushing yards per game allowed.

Defense wins championships, and the Steelers have the opportunity to lean on that this year.

8. New York Giants

The Giants have Super Bowl experience and a very scary defensive front, which will go a long way in the playoffs. They barely made it this year, but give them credit for taking a weak NFC East away from the Dallas Cowboys.

Eli Manning knows what he's doing, and will be bringing his 4,933 yards and 29 touchdowns to the table. He also has breakout wide receiver Victor Cruz on his side, and a defense that's third in the league in sacks with 48.

9. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons have a strong running game behind Michael Turner's 1,340 yards and 11 touchdowns, and a quarterback in Matt Ryan that many consider to be clutch. They boast a high-powered passing attack that features Roddy White and stellar rookie Julio Jones, and a defense that is stout in the running game, only allowing 97 rushing yards per game.

All-in-all, this is a formula that can lead to success for the Falcons.

10. Houston Texans

If it weren't for all the injuries they've had this year, the Texans would be coming into the playoffs as one of the favorites out of the AFC. Unfortunately, their injury problems at quarterback have been well-documented and I'm not sure what T.J. Yates will be able to do, even if he is healthy.

What the Texans do have though is a stellar running game and defense. They are second in the league with 153 rushing yards per game, and only give up 189.7 passing and 96 rushing yards per game. If they lean on Arian Foster and their solid defense, they have a chance.

11. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals can be a very dangerous team in the playoffs. They're a young team led by two rookies on offense. Quarterback Andy Dalton put up an extremely impressive 3,398-yard, 20-touchdown debut, and wideout A.J. Green is well on his way to being a force with 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns.

They may lack experience, but they make up for it in explosiveness and confidence.

12. Denver Broncos

Quarterback Tim Tebow finished the year going 126-of-271 with a completion percentage of 46.5, 1,729 yards, 12 touchdowns, six interceptions and seven fumbles.

The Broncos backed into an AFC West title, even though they lost their last three games. They do have the league's best rushing attack, but I have to wonder if this team has what it takes to win in the playoffs with their gimmicky offense.