NFL Playoff Power Rankings: Who Are the Top Remaining Contenders?

After the thrilling Wild Card Weekend, there was significant movement in power ranking the remaining eight playoff teams.

Teams like the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints continued to impress after their respective blowouts over the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions. On the other hand, Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos shocked the world with an overtime win against the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers.

How would this past weekend's event shake up the playoff power rankings? Is there a new No. 1 team in the NFL?

Here are the new rankings for the eight contenders still fighting for it all in the NFL playoffs.  

8. Denver Broncos

After a huge upset win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Denver Broncos still have a lot to prove. 

Don't misunderstand my argument though. I've been a huge supporter of the Broncos and Tebow all season. However, I think it's still reasonable to say that the Broncos have the most question marks of any team.

With Tebow, you never know if you're going to get the Tebow of the last two weeks of the season or the one that just beat the Steelers. His inconsistency is definitely a cause for concern.

They played an excellent game this past weekend, but I need to see more if I want the Broncos to move up the list.

Also, don't underestimate the impact of Eric Decker's injury. His absence leaves more questions.

7. Houston Texans

Even with T.J. Yates at quarterback, the Houston Texans have not lost a step since losing Matt Schaub to injury.

With players like Adrian Foster and Andre Johnson on offense and the league's second-best defense in yards allowed per game, this combination makes the Texans a dangerous team to play.

They have already showed that lack of experience won't be a factor for them since they won the first playoff game ever played in franchise history, while putting 31 points on a tough Cincinnati Bengals defense.

Much like Denver, the question with the Texans is their quarterback play. Yates is only a rookie, but has held his own so far. One has to wonder if he can really keep it up against a team like the Baltimore Ravens. 

This weekend will prove whether the Texans are for real or not.

6. San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers rely on their defense for success. Hence why they have been so good this season.

They boast the league's fourth-ranked defense in total yards allowed per game and they are the best run defense in the NFL. 

If there is one team that can shut down the high-powered offenses, it's the 49ers. Patrick Willis can significantly affect the opposing offense's strategy with his ability to shut down both the rushing and passing attacks. 

Oh yeah, and Frank Gore is pretty good too.

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens remained idle this past weekend, but they are certainly a scary team to face in the playoffs.

The experience on this team is a huge plus for them. Players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs anchor an intimidating defensive unit. Ray Rice is arguably the best complete running back in the league. He's a force in the running and passing game with more than 1,300 yards rushing and 700 yards receiving. 

Even though the Ravens have inconsistent quarterback play from Joe Flacco, they run and defend the ball so well that it usually doesn't affect them.

4. New York Giants

Finally, the New York Giants are starting to look like the Giants team that won the Super Bowl not too long ago.

Eli Manning is proving he should be considered an elite quarterback after throwing for 4,933 yards and 29 touchdowns in the regular season. Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw are peaking at the right time with 155 combined rushing yards against the Atlanta Falcons this past weekend. Add in Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora on the defensive line and the Giants are virtually the complete package.

The Giants are playing some of their best football this season right now, so Green Bay better watch out. 

3. New England Patriots

It seems like they are in this position every year, but the New England Patriots are the No. 1 seed in the AFC. 

Tom Brady leads an explosive offense that is anchored by two dominating tight ends: Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. They are second in the league with 317.8 passing yards per game. The Patriots have so many ways to beat you with their tight ends and also Wes Welker at wide receiver.

The Patriots will have to shore up their second-worst pass defense though. If they run into a team that can match them in scoring points, I don't know if the Patriots can beat them. But going to Foxboro, Mass. for a playoff game still remains one of the toughest things to do for an AFC team.

They'll be a tough team to beat throughout the playoffs. 

2. Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers were the league's best team all season long with presumably the MVP of the NFL running their offense.

So why are they not No. 1? Simple answer: offensive line.

Whether you like it or not, the Packers were exposed against the Kansas City Chiefs when the Chiefs torched the Packer offensive line, giving Rodgers problems all day and holding them to only 14 points.

And with the Packers going up against the New York Giants and possibly the San Francisco 49ers, who both have outstanding defensive lines, I wonder if they can outlast both teams in the playoffs.

1. New Orleans Saints

The league's hottest team is undoubtedly the New Orleans Saints. They are riding a nine game win streak and quarterback Drew Brees is playing the best football of his career.

Going back to Week 15 the Saints haven't scored less than 42 points in a game, including 45 points in three games in a row.

Jimmy Graham has become one of the best tight ends in all of the NFL and the weapons of Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and the Saints' multiple receivers have made the Saints' offense virtually unstoppable.

The only question with the Saints is if they can perform like this on the road. They'll get a chance to prove themselves with a road game at San Francisco this weekend.