NFL Playoffs: Ranking The Current and Possible Matchups Based On Competitiveness

There's eight teams left to compete for the highest honor in football. There's been many lists of exciting super bowl matchups we'd all like to see, most competitive possible super bowls, etc.

But before there can be a Super Bowl, we have to get through the playoffs. As such I thought I would rank the most competitive possible playoff matchups, including those that are already going to happen. I have ranked these based on how close I think the game will be, or how good of a chance the underdog has (if there even is an underdog). There will not be any Super Bowl pairs as there's 200 other articles on the internet for that, and this is not a "love to see" list because I'm not really in the business of ranking hype.

So let's proceed!

12. Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 19: Running back Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 19, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Since 2007: 2-0 Falcons

Point differential: +19 Falcons

Point differential per game: +9.5 Falcons

If the Seahawks are able to pull off the upset against the Bears, and the Packers fall to the Falcons in the Georgia Dome, we'll get to see the worst team to ever make the playoffs play in a dome against a team that has been completely unbeatable on their own turf. Even the most optimistic Seahawk fan can not like their chances in this one, and Seattle should be advised to cheer for the Packers on Saturday. While the Saints were able to beat the Falcons in the dome, and the Seahawks beat the Saints, this is the least competitive possible matchup on the map.

11. New York Jets at New York Patriots

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 19: Rex Ryan, Head Coach of the New York Jets greets Bill Belichick, head coach of the New England Patriots after a Jets 28-14 win on September 19, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Pho

Since 2007: 5-3 Patriots

Point differential: +70 Patriots

Point differential per game: +8.75 Patriots

I don't know if I've ever seen a bigger gap between hype and game quality than the Patriots/Jets since the week 13 Monday Night drubbing. If that's removed from the above totals, the edge remains for the Patriots, but not by as much. Since that loss, the Jets have gone 2-2 to close out their season, losing to the Dolphins only to beat the Steelers the next week. Not many gave the Jets a chance to beat the Colts last week, and I for one will remain unconvinced that they can take it to the Patriots back in Foxborough. This game has been the most hyped of the postseason thus far, partly due to the teams being in Boston and New York (er, kind of) and partly because Rex Ryan used to write storylines for the WWE (I can only assume). I'm expecting some abuse in this one, but I'd love for the Jets will be able to pull off another surprise. I'm just not betting money on it.

10. Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 18: Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears fumbles as he dives into the end zone against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 18, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Since 2007: 2-0 Falcons

Point differential: +9 Falcons

Point differential per game: +4.5 Falcons

Poor Bears. Despite being a team of destiny, they can't get any respect. For years everyone says they're not living up to their potential, and when they finally win everyone calls them overrated. That might have something to do with their losses to Seattle and Washington, or that they have the lowest net points (48) of any remaining playoff team not from the NFC West. By comparison, the Packers, which won one game less, have 100 more net points. Even though the Bears are expected to come on top of Seattle, they'll still be the ugly duckling of the playoffs. 

I don't see anyone outside of Chicago taking the Bears over the Falcons in Atlanta. That dome is a destroyer, even if Chicago has had a phenomenal second half of their season. It would take a flawless Jay Cutler and Lovie Smith performance for Chicago to advance to the Super Bowl, and I don't see that being in the cards.

9. Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks

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SEATTLE - AUGUST 21: Defensive end C.J. Wilson #98 of the Green Bay Packers battles Jeff Byers #63 during the preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on August 21, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Since 2007: 2-0 Packers

Point differential: +48 Packers

Point differential per game: +24 Packers

Why am I rating this even this high? Two words: Qwest Field. Qwest is the biggest homefield advantage in sports. It turns the Seahawks into an average to good team. On the road? Bottom five in the NFL. Sure, the Falcons never lose in the Georgia Dome, but they're good on the road too. If the Seahawks make it this far, they'd be doing the Packers a huge favor by knocking off the Bears the previous round. Seattle fans would be excited to host the NFC championship game, but the point remains that the Packers are a very scary team that have had the Seahawks number in the past.

8. New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets in action against the Baltimore Ravens during their home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/

Since 2007: 2-0 Ravens

Point differential: +8 Ravens

Point differential per game: +4 Ravens

Here's where the games start that are actually worth watching. The Ravens have had the advantage, and I'd expect that to continue. This game will be a very entertaining watch, but Mark Sanchez vs. elite defenses isn't particularly inspiring. This game, like all those ranked above it, can very conceivably go either way.

7. Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Brandon Meriweather #31 of the New England Patriots collides with Todd Heap #86 of the Baltimore Ravens after Heap was hit by Jerod Mayo #51, also of the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Since 2007: 3-0 Patriots

Point differential: +12 Patriots

Point differential per game: +4 Patriots

The Patriots have a history of winning in the playoffs, even when they probably shouldn't have. The Ravens have a history of losing in the playoffs, even when they probably shouldn't have. The Patriots have swept the Ravens over the past four seasons. As great as the Ravens are, I don't see them giving the Patriots too much trouble. Especially in Foxborough.

6. Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - OCTOBER 17: Walter Thurmond #38 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks up a pass intended for Devin Hester #23 of the Chicago Bears as Johnny Knox #13 attempts a catch at Soldier Field on October 17, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Seahawks defeated the

Since 2007: 2-1 Seahawks

Point differential: +4 Seahawks

Point differential per game: +1.33 Seahawks

Strangely enough, no matter how big of an advantage the Hawks have at Qwest field, their best possible playoff matchup is the one they're facing on the road this Sunday. Everyone outside of Chicago will be rooting for Seattle, as there's no doubt they're the least feared team in the playoffs. Seattle holds the advantage in the recent series, despite not being particularly good since 2006. The key player in this game is Jay Cutler. Even his biggest fans know he's a model of inconsistency. That may depend partly on how well his line protects him, which is another question mark for this game. I'm expecting a closer game than the story might be on paper here.

5. New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 19: Drew Coleman #30 of the New York Jets reaches for a loose ball in front of Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 19, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wi

Since 2007: 2-0 Jets

Point differential: +8 Jets

Point differential per game: +4 Jets

The Jets have already beaten the Steelers this year, and have a two games to none advantage since 2007. While the Steelers are supposed to be a better team than the Ravens, the Jets seem to have had Pittsburgh's number as of late. That said, the Jets will still be going in as underdogs. The Steelers might just be the second best team in the entire league, and they'll have homefield advantage. The Jets will be coming in high off beating New England, but they'll be playing underdog again in this one.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots drops back to pass during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 14, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Since 2007: 2-1 Patriots

Point differential: +11 Patriots

Point differential per game: +2.67 Patriots

This is the single game America might want to see the most. 3 Super Bowl Tom vs. 2 Super Bowl Ben for the right to represent the superior conference in Dallas. If any team can give the Patriots a run for their money, it's Pittsburgh. While I'll be praying for both teams to lose, New England will still be the favorite. That win by the Steelers in the past four seasons? That was when Brady was on the sideline and Matt Cassell was taking snaps. The Patriots have been the better team in the rivalry. They've been the better team head to head, they've been the better team this year, and they got homefield advantage. This is why I'm ranking this "only" fourth. 

3. Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 13: Brett Favre #4 of the Green Bay Packers shakes hands with Michael Vick #7 of the Atlanta Falcons after their game on November 13, 2005 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Packers defeated the Falcons 33-25. (Photo by Str

Since 2007: 2-0 Falcons

Point differential: +6 Falcons

Point differential per game: +3 Falcons

This is the story of two teams that lost their pro bowl quarterbacks and have only gotten better because of it. For a #6 seed playing a at a #1, football fans are in for a real treat this Saturday. The Packers have the second highest net points in the entire league, but the fact is the Falcons have something more valuable: the best NFC win-loss record. Add in the undeniable homefield advantage, and we know who the favorite is. That said, this should be a very close game, and the winner of it will be favored over whoever comes out on top of the Bears/Seahawks scrum. Chances are looking good that whoever wins in Atlanta will be defending the NFC's honor in Dallas come February.

2. Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

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BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens lands on the ground during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. Pittsburgh won 13-10. (Photo by Larry Fren

Since 2007: 5-3 Steelers

Point differential: +32 Steelers

Point differential per game: +4 Steelers

The best game guaranteed to happen, a quick look at the number makes things look pretty bad for the Ravens. This is largely because in 2007, the Steelers beat the Ravens 38-7 to make the second loss out of nine consecutive for the team in its most underperforming year. If we take that game out, we get 5-4 Steelers, +1 Steelers point differential, and all of .11 points per game in the Steelers favor. In fact, every other game has been decided by under four points. Talk about close. The Steelers do have homefield advantage though, and are coming off a better year. When Big Ben's on the field, the Steelers have faired better in the win-loss column. These factors will make them the favorite in this game, and that's why it'll miss the #1 slot.

1. Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 02: Kahlil Bell #32 of the Green Bay Packers carries the ball against Pisa Tinoisamoa #59 and Anthony Adams #95 of the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field on January 2, 2011 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Im

Since 2007: 4-4 Draw

Point differential: +13 Packers

Point differential per game: +1.63 Packers

This is the game everyone should want to see. The teams have been deadlocked, and the net points difference is negligible. The Bears have had the better record, and have homefield advantage. The Packers have the net points advantage, a consistency advantage, and would be coming in off a win at the Georgia Dome. On paper, this is the best possible matchup in the playoffs, and I wouldn't be surprised to see there be no spread. The Packers might get a point advantage, but that can go in either direction. The storyline would be huge, as football's oldest rivalry would be playing in their biggest game possible. If this matchup happens, you can bet it'll be good.

Thoughts?

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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

Thoughts? Opinions? Think I'm a homer? Did I ignore the fact that your favorite team totally has momentum? Think it's weird that I rated the Bears-Packers and Packers-Falcons so high yet the Bears-Falcons so low? Please let me know in the comments and I'll be sure to reply. Thanks for reading!