2011 NFL Playoffs: Power Ranking the Playoff Teams

It is finally down to the 12 "best" teams in the NFL. This is the point where the records technically don't matter.

There is one particular record that may have some people up in arms (7-9, anyone?), but in the playoffs it truly is anyone's game.

There are some teams that are playing lights on right now, even if their records are not in the 12 to 14-win range. There are some that won a great deal of games and still don't seem to be at their peak.

Here is looking forward to an amazing playoff!

12. Seattle Seahawks (4th Seed, NFC)

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field during their game against the St. Louis Rams at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

A losing team is in the playoffs. I congratulate the great fans of Seattle and hope they enjoy the extra game this year, and with that home field advantage, the Seahawks could be dangerous.

However, it isn't likely. Pete Carroll is a fun coach to watch, and it isn't the fault of the team that it is in the weak NFC West, but this proves that playoff seeding needs to be retooled.

11. Kansas City Chiefs (4th Seed, AFC)

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws passes during warm ups before playing the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

This is a good story. The Chiefs rise and win the AFC West. That is a big accomplishment for the team. Matt Cassel has played extremely well, and the defense has done its part.

Kudos to this team on making the playoffs. However, none of their wins came against playoff teams. None of them. It was an extremely weak schedule.

The Ravens will be a tough out for this team, even at home.

10. New York Jets (6th Seed, AFC)

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 02: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets celebrates their 38 - 7 win over the Buffalo Bills at New Meadowlands Stadium on January 2, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Jets are still very bold and still have playmakers. However, this season has NOT gone according to plan. Rex Ryan still said that he expects his team to win the Super Bowl.

It is great to have a confident team. However, being as completely and utterly arrogant as they have been is a disgrace.

It almost felt all year like the team could talk the talk, but that it would just happen for them. I wonder how hard they actually practiced this year.

9. Green Bay Packers (6th Seed, NFC)

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers attempts to break free from Tommie Harris #91 of the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The "can't really run" team. These guys remind me a great deal of Dan Marino's Miami Dolphins. Great vertical passing attack, serviceable defense and no running game.

We all know how many championships Marino won using that formula.

I enjoy watching Aaron Rodgers a great deal, and this team will absolutely be a tough out. It would not surprise me to see Green Bay move out of the first round.

8. Indianapolis Colts (3rd Seed, AFC)

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to pass the ball during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This really could be 7a and 7b with the Eagles. Both have MVP-caliber quarterbacks, and both teams play streaky.

I am one of those people who argue that Peyton Manning has had his best season ever because he carried this team to 10 wins.

He means as much to Indianapolis as LeBron James did to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Remove him from the Colts picture and you get...um...the NFL equivalent of the current Cleveland Cavaliers.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (3rd Seed, NFC)

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles in action against the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Michael Vick is easily my favorite player to watch in the NFL. I am not a fan of the Eagles, but he is truly electrifying to watch. His throws to DeSean Jackson are the equivalent to the Al Davis holy grail from the school of speed.

A month ago, I would have had this team in my top four. They have been streaky as of late, but this is a team that could easily go on a hot streak and win the Super Bowl. It will take a great defensive effort and a "SuperVick" sighting.

6. Chicago Bears (2nd Seed, NFC)

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears runs against the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The last of the super streaky teams, the Bears faithful complain that they got the second seed and still get no respect.

Honestly, it's because the wins have not been all that impressive. They beat the Eagles, Packers and Jets, who are all behind them in these rankings, and got dismantled by the Patriots.

This team will go where Jay Cutler takes them. The defense is solid, and Matt Forte has been as hot as any running back in the NFL. Devin "Stop Kicking to Him" Hester is the most dangerous big play man in the NFL.

5. Baltimore Ravens (5th Seed, AFC)

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens passes against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

The carbon copy of Pittsburgh. A solid defense and an offense loaded with weapons will make this team a very tough animal to tame.

The only thing holding this team back is the fact that they didn't win the AFC North. It will be difficult for them to win three tough games in a row.

Joe Flacco has to be consistent.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (2nd Seed, AFC)

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 12: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass from Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the game on December 12, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Ima

The tough-minded Steelers are healthy, motivated and actually flying under the radar for some reason this year.

This is the team that has the best chance to knock off the Patriots in the AFC. They have the defense and the offense to do it. Having Troy Polamalu back from injury changes the entire defense.

This team is ready for a run.

3. Atlanta Falcons (1st Seed, NFC)

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons waits for a play call against the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta is a solid team all around and could easily be No. 2. The very recent loss to the Saints keeps me from putting them above New Orleans at this point.

A rematch in Atlanta at some point would be great theatre, and I wouldn't bet against the Falcons. Matt Ryan is a heady quarterback who plays so intelligently, that comparisons to Peyton Manning are not that far from the truth. Has he really only been in the league for a couple of seasons?

2. New Orleans Saints (5th Seed, NFC)

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NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 09: New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees #9 celebrates during the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl XLIV Victory Parade on February 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images)

I know they lost to Tampa Bay, and that hurt. However, they just beat the Falcons, and I easily think that these are the two best teams in the NFC.

In a rematch in Atlanta, I am not sure the Saints can do it again. However, they proved they can, and they have looked the part of defending Super Bowl champions for much of the latter half of the season.

1. New England Patriots (1st Seed, AFC)

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on in a match against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. New England won 34-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Get

As a Dolphins fan, it pains me to say this...but this may be the more impressive season of the Patriots' amazing run. This is the season that makes it impossible to argue the brilliance of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.

They made Danny Woodhead a star. They traded Randy Moss. Shrewd and intelligent moves from ownership led to a 14-2 record. I just can't see this team losing right now.

In Closing

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Harry Connick Jr. leads a float out onto the field which carried the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy which was won last year by the New Orleans Saints prior to the Saints playing against the Minnesota Vikings at Louisiana Sup

To sum up my thoughts:

The real contenders

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Atlanta Falcons

Pittsburgh Steelers

Baltimore Ravens

Tough outs

Chicago Bears

Philadelphia Eagles

Indianapolis Colts

Maybe with a hot streak

New York Jets

Green Bay Packers

95 percent positive these teams won't win the Super Bowl

Kansas City Chiefs

Seattle Seahawks