Michael Vick: Power Ranking His Best Matchups Among All NFC Playoff Contenders

Michael Vick has kept the good times rolling in Philadelphia. He led the Eagles into Dallas last night and beat the division rival Cowboys in a big game.

Vick has become the quarterback everyone wanted him to be from the start, and he did it while getting battered around the field by the Cowboys defense. The Eagles will clinch a playoff spot—it's only a matter of time. But what about the teams he could face? How do he and the Eagles match up against those teams?

Inside we look at 10 teams still in the playoff hunt and rank the matchups from toughest to easiest. Any thoughts or comments? Leave them at the bottom.

No. 10: Atlanta

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Right now the Philadelphia Eagles would have to go into Atlanta to play the Falcons.

Even though the Eagles beat Atlanta in Philadelphia earlier this season, going into the Georgia Dome against Matt Ryan—who has only lost one game in that stadium in his entire career—is not an easy task for any team.

I'm not sure the emotion of returning home would be enough for Vick and the Eagles. Either way, I'm sure Philly and its fans would rather not see Atlanta in the playoffs.

No. 9: New York Giants

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against Antrel Rolle #26 of the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Michael Vick has faced the Giants once before this season and will get a crack at them next week, but it's not a team I'd want to see.

New York is a team that can play the type of game that translates to any situation in the playoffs. Eli Manning can throw the ball, and barring a dumb dive, he can drive the ball. Not only that, but that defense is fearsome with a lot of veteran leadership, especially on that front seven.

That's not a team I'd like to see in the playoffs.

No. 8: New Orleans

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to throw the ball during the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

This is a team no one wants to see right now.

The New Orleans Saints are rolling, and in case anyone forgot, they're also the defending Super Bowl champions. Drew Brees is playing at a high level, and the Saints are healthy again after having some key players out of the lineup.

With that offense and a defense that can force timely turnovers, I wouldn't want to see New Orleans if I'm Michael Vick and the Eagles.

No. 7: Minnesota

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with Sidney Rice #18 on the sideline during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapoli

Let's see. Brett Favre's holding together worse than an extra in the Thriller video, and the defense can't get any pressure. Sounds like a good matchup to me.

The Vikings are playing much better under Leslie Frazier, but the team still isn't that good and wouldn't match up well against the Eagles. I'm not sure what happened to Jared Allen, but he's had a bad year this year, and it's just disappointing.

Adrian Peterson is still a beast, but he's not enough to beat a team by himself.

No. 6: Green Bay

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PHILADELPHIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field and greets Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers after a loss at Lincoln Financial Field on September 12, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Packers bea

We've seen this once before, and Michael Vick played well against the Packers.

It needs to be noted that it was in relief of an injured Kevin Kolb and that Green Bay didn't plan for Vick leading up to the game, but now that the year has gone forward and Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley are both gone for the year, it's a better matchup for the Eagles.

Aaron Rodgers having a concussion doesn't hurt Philly's chances, either.

No. 5: Tampa Bay

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is chased by Brian Orakpo #98 of the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Redskins led the Buccaneers at the half 10-3 00-00. (Photo by L

Tampa Bay has been one of the best stories in football this year, but it's not that impressive.

The Buccaneers haven't beaten a single good team this year, and while it's been a good year, it's fraudulent. If Tampa Bay played the Eagles, they would lose. It's as simple as that. I love Josh Freeman, and I love how confident Raheem Morris is in his team, but it's not good enough right now.

Maybe a couple of years from now, but not now.

No. 4: St. Louis

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to throw a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams

We are now in the NFC West portion of our countdown, and we're going with what I believe is the best team in the division, the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams aren't a great team, as we saw on Sunday when the Saints tore St. Louis apart in a blowout. But the Rams have Steven Jackson and Sam Bradford, and that could cause plenty of issues for an opposing team if they start to believe.

Bradford has plenty of moxie, but it's not enough to beat a team like the Eagles.

No. 3: Seattle

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks are a strange team. That's the only way to put it.

One week the Seahawks will look like worldbeaters, and then the next they'll get pounded into the ground. Playing at home is always good for Seattle with that great crowd, but that wouldn't be the case against Philadelphia. There just isn't enough talent on this team.

Pete Carroll has done a nice job, but it's not good enough to beat a team like Philadelphia.

No. 2: San Francisco

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GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers gives instructions to his team against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 5, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the 49ers 34-16. (Photo by J

Before the season, people thought that San Francisco was a lock to win the NFC West. Oops.

The 49ers are behind the Rams and the Seahawks right no,w and it's just a disaster of a year for San Francisco. Mike Singletary is going to be fired after the season, but the 49ers can still win the division and host a playoff game.

It's hard to believe, but it's true. That's how bad the NFC West is.

No. 1: Arizona

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals runs with the football after a reception against Nate Jones #33 of the Denver Broncos during the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in

Do you remember the man you see in this photo? That would be Larry Fitzgerald.

I feel the need to remind you because he's become invisible in Arizona, and that's symptomatic of how bad the Cardinals are now. Sadly, they're not even out of the race in the NFC West just yet, though with the quarterback situation in Arizona, it's only a matter of time.

Kurt Warner retires and the team turns into a dumpster fire. That's a shame.