NFL Playoff Scenarios: Power Ranking The 15 Best Super Bowl XLV Matchups

Through roughly three-quarters of the NFL season we have a very good idea of who the contenders are and who the pretenders are. With that in mind, it's time that we start looking at potential Super Bowl XLV games. This list will rank, from least compelling to most compelling, the Super Bowl matchups for the real contenders. If you're a fan of an NFC West team you will likely be disappointed with the list since none of those teams are real contenders (this comes from a fan of an NFC West team too). For your reading and viewing pleasure, the 15 best potential Super Bowl XLV games.

15. Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Chicago Bears

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs lines up under center against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on November 28, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Chiefs have come out of nowhere to post a 7-4 record and lead the AFC West by a game over the hard charging San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs are thought of as the Patriots-lite. They have their old backup QB in Matt Cassel, their old offensive and defensive coordinator in Charlie Weis & Romeo Crennel, and their old front office master mind in Scott Pioli. They are a solid team that could be a year or two away from being a big time player along side the Patriots, Jets, and Steelers.

The Bears are the least sexy 8-3 team in football. They don't really wow you with their play but at the end of the day they are able to put up victories. Jay Cutler still scares me at QB but he hasn't been as turnover prone as he was in the past. They are a lot like the Chiefs in that they aren't great at any one thing, though their defense is playing at a pretty high level, and we aren't sure how good they really are.

14. New England Patriots Vs. New York Giants

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots hands the ball off to Danny Woodhead #39 during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Le

A rematch of their classic Super Bowl XLII game where the Giants ended the Patriots perfect season. The Giants defense was all over Tom Brady that day and a last minute touchdown from Manning to Burress gave the Giants the 17-14 victory. This game would be similar to that game, except neither team would be chasing perfection. The Patriots have an explosive, high-powered offense and a defense that gives up a lot of yards (and is starting to give up a lot of points). The Giants offense is about as good as it was that year. The defensive front-seven is not as good as it was that year but they can still attack and that makes them a scary team come January.

13. New York Jets Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammate DeSean Jackson #10 after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia,

The Eagles make this list a lot but that's because they have the single most compelling storyline in football: Michael Vick. Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he is electrifying and that thinking of potential matchups with him versus some of the great defenses in the AFC would make for great television. This particular matchup has Vick against the third-best scoring defense in football, the Jets. Would Vick be able to create plays with the Jets secondary neutralizing the Eagles weapons on the outside? Would Vick get frustrated and abandon his arm and use his legs?

12. Indianapolis Colts Vs. Green Bay Packers

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

I can't think of a better QB in the NFC than Aaron Rodgers. There are some who are close (Vick, Ryan) but Rodgers is the best of the bunch. Peyton Manning has to do more than any other QB in football. This matchup with the best QB in the NFC versus arguably the best in the AFC could make for a wild shootout. Of course, that's assuming the Colts are able to get some of their playmakers back to help out Manning.

11. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 21: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball after catching an interception against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerh

A Super Bowl matchup of the best playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, Michael Vick, against the best playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, Troy Polamalu. Add in the tale of redemption for both teams quarterback and you have one of the best possible Super Bowl matchups.

Side note, I do know that both QB's troubles are of their own doing but it's nice to see athletes who at least have tried to remake their image in light of their off-field issues.

10. New England Patriots Vs. Atlanta Falcons

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after watching a replay during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

There is an age old question that is often asked when used to determine who is the best QB in football: Who would you want with the ball in the last two minutes of the game? Since 2002, the answer has been Tom Brady. He had a calmness to him, he was like Joe Montana in that regard. It didn't matter if he needed a field goal or touchdown, just give him the ball at the end with a chance to win. Now, Matt Ryan is slowly becoming that type of QB. He has played one postseason game thus far, a loss to Arizona in the 2009 wild-card round. This year, the Falcons look poised to make a run for the Super Bowl in the wide open NFC and Matt Ryan could take the next step and put his name alongside Brady.

9. San Diego Chargers Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers throws a pass before the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The highest scoring team in the NFC vs. the second highest scoring team in the AFC. Michael Vick and all the weapons that are around him vs. Philip Rivers and all the toys that he has. Rivers is arguably the MVP of the NFL, while Vick will likely finish somewhere in the top 5. The Chargers finally getting over that playoff hump and getting to the Super Bowl. Andy Reid exorcising some of his postseason demons and leading the Eagles back to the Super Bowl.

8. Baltimore Ravens Vs. New Orleans Saints

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 and head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints wait for the call from a review against the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin

Really any game between Ray Lewis and a great QB is going to make for compelling television. Add to the fact that the Saints can score points as well as anyone and the Ravens have one of the best defenses in the league makes it even better. Joe Flacco is taking on more responsibility with the struggles of Ray Rice and he is turning a corner and becoming of of the better QB's in football.

7. New York Jets Vs. Green Bay Packers

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to throw a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Bengal 26-10.

The Jets were built to win this year after getting so close to the Super Bowl last year. The Packers were one of the favorites entering last year's postseason but forgot how to play defense. Now these two teams seem primed to make a deep run into the playoffs this year. Green Bay's defense has been playing really well. The Jets offense, led by Mark Sanchez, seems to have taken a big step forward with the addition of Santonio Holmes. The two teams that won the first three Super Bowls could meet in Dallas this year for the biggest game of the year.

6. New England Patriots Vs. Chicago Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - OCTOBER 24: Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears celebrates a defensive touchdown against the Washington Redskins at Soldier Field on October 24, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Redskins defeated the Bears 17-14. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

A matchup of a great QB and linebacker, although Urlacher has kind of taken a back seat to Julius Peppers on the Bears defense. Plus, this one could turn into a shootout given the Patriots ability to score and the Patriots defense being so porous, especially against the pass. Jay Cutler could have a field day or he could throw five INT's.

5. Indianapolis Colts Vs. New York Giants

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Watching the Colts this year, you have to feel bad for Peyton Manning. He has lost every playmaker that he has, except Reggie Wayne, the running game is non-existent and he has had to do more this year than in any other year. It will take a lot of doing for him to be able to get the Colts to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl. On the other side, would be his brother Eli. These two really could not be any more different. Peyton is like a robot, his preparation and study are the things of legend. Eli, while no doubt a thorough studier of the game, is kind of goofy and shows more emotion on the field.

4. New York Jets Vs. New York Giants

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Rex Ryan and Josh Mauga #53 of the New York Jets celebrate a 23-20 ovetime win over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 7, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Jets defeated the Lions 23-20 in overtime. (Photo by Leon

I am not one of these people that believes the entire sports world revolves around New York, probably because I am not from New York. That said, the contrast in coaching styles in this game would make it compelling. There is Rex Ryan, the laid back, fun-loving character who can make you laugh and then make you cry as his team is beating on you. On the other side there is Tom Coughlin, the no-nonsense, tough and strict guy who wants to rip you apart. I think most people would like to play for Ryan but both guys definitely get results because of who they are and how they coach.

3. Baltimore Ravens Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Larry French/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Buccaneers 17-10. (Photo by Larry F

Ray Lewis versus Michael Vick. The best linebacker of this era taking on probably the best pure athlete in all of football. Imagine seeing Vick lineup under center and Lewis on the other side yelling and screaming at him, letting him know what he is going to feel if he tries to take off. It would be an almost surreal feeling watching these two on the field knowing what they are capable of at any given moment.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Green Bay Packers

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 07: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers is congratulated by teammates Jordy Nelson #87 and Aaron Rodgers #12 after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Two of the most storied franchises in professional sports history meeting up for the first time in a Super Bowl. Two great quarterbacks, Roethlisberger and Rodgers. Two great defenses. Two outstanding coaches. It's hard to believe that these two have never met in a Super Bowl before given the fact that these teams are so good and so consistent. A matchup in Super Bowl XLV would have all the makings of one of the best Super Bowl games of all-time.

1. New England Patriots Vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick breaks up a late fourth quarter scuffle between the Lions and the Patriots during the game at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24.

The best coach in football, Bill Belichick, and (arguably) the best quarterback in football, Tom Brady, going up against the team that they beat in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Philadelphia Eagles. These two teams have very different looks from those teams. In New England, the only real constants are the coach and QB. In Philly, they have remade this team starting with the new and improved Michael Vick. Imagine Belichick and his legendary gameplan ability going up against the most dynamic player in all of football. That would make for some really great television and the best possible Super Bowl XLV matchup.

Bonus Game: San Diego Chargers Vs New York Giants*

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates after a touchdown during the NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

I am adding this slide because I had it written down on my list and completely forgot to put it in here. Eli Manning versus the team that he spurned on draft day in 2004. Philip Rivers has become one of the best QB's in the league, he could win the MVP award this year. Manning has already won a Super Bowl in 2007. I think that both teams are happy with the deals that they made on draft day. It'd be some kind of poetic justice for the Chargers to win their first Super Bowl against Eli and the Giants.

*If I had put this game in the original list it would have been in the top 5, maybe top 3.