NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Complete Playoff Odds for All 32 Teams

Eight weeks done, eight games to go in the 2011 NFL season. The playoff picture is starting to unfold in some divisions, and in others it's more confusing than ever before. 

The Green Bay Packers remain the lone unbeaten team in the NFL, but the San Francisco 49ers are a close second. Do the two rivals look like locks to meet in the NFC Championship game? Would you put your money on the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens or some other in the AFC?

These aren't your playoff predictions, but rather a gauge for who is playing the best football right now. And for fun, let's throw in some odds on who will make the playoffs. 

32. Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins can't get a win, and it won't get easier from here as they start to dig into their division schedule. The Dolphins may have better odds for a winless season than they do the playoffs.

Looking at the division and being completely realistic, there's no way the Dolphins can make the playoffs. It's time to fire Tony Sparano, identify a new general manager and start building for 2012 and beyond.

Playoff Odds: 1,000,000/1

31. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts had a good chance at their first win today, but it wasn't meant to be. I do see the Colts getting a win relatively soon, as the team is playing well enough to sneak up and surprise someone. 

It won't be this week, when the Colts face the Atlanta Falcons, but it could come Week 10 against Jacksonville, or Week 12 following the bye against Carolina.

Either way, the Colts playoff chances are about as good as my chances of dunking a basketball.

Playoff Odds: 500,000/1

30. Denver Broncos

How about that Tim Tebow kid?

So much for being a winner, Tebow was downright horrid in a 45-10 loss to the Detroit Lions, completing a laughable 18-of-39 for 172 yards—most of which came in the fourth quarter when the game was far from close.

The Broncos have a load of problems, but they also have some intriguing talent to build around. Getting more than two or three wins the rest of the season would be considered a success in my eyes.

Playoff Odds with Tebow: 500,000/1

Playoff Odds with Brady Quinn: 250,000/1

Playoff Odds with Kyle Orton: 100,000/1

29. St. Louis Rams

Congratulations to the St. Louis Rams for picking up their first win. It may be a while before we see win No. 2. 

The Rams are a different team with injuries taking their toll this season. The 2012 Rams should be a Wild Card contender if they can get everyone healthy and pick up at least one wide receiver through the draft or free agency.

The 2011 season can be considered a wash. It's time for the Rams to see what they have in their young players.

Playoff Odds: 1,000/1

28. Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals have to be questioning the decision to send Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Kevin Kolb instead of using a draft choice on one. Considering the play of guys like Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert and Andy Dalton—they would be better off with extra draft picks and one of the rookies from the 2011 class.

Having said that, Kolb is their guy and they owe it to him to build an offensive line he can work behind. A complete overhaul is needed up front, with help added on the defense as well.

Playoff Odds: 1,000/1

27. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks made the playoffs last year on the strength of a 7-9 record and a very bad division. That won't be happening this year.

The San Francisco 49ers own the division now, and the Seahawks are left looking at the mess of draft picks who have failed to develop fully (Russell Okung, James Carpenter, Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu) over the last five years. Now might be the time to panic in Seattle.

The Seahawks remain an outside shot at the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, but if they play like they did on Sunday, anything's possible.

Playoff Odds: 1,000/1

26. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have already decided the 2011 season is over, committing to rookie quarterback Christian Ponder for the remainder of the season. It's a smart move, as I believe this team will compete for a playoff spot in 2012.

On the strength of Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, Kyle Rudolph, Toby Gerhardt and Ponder, the offense will be ready to roll next season. The defense has potential, they just need a full season of healthy players in the back seven. 

The big question mark in Minnesota is the offensive line. If the Vikings invest their first-round pick in Matt Kalil (OT-USC) and a third-rounder in Lucas Nix (OG-Pitt), this team will have all the pieces in place to make a run.

Playoff Odds: 750/1

25. Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins looked like a playoff team early this season, but since have fallen apart after defenses realized they were facing Rex Grossman and John Beck at quarterback. 

Injuries at running back and on the offensive line have the Redskins reeling, but this is a team that will compete in 2012. Mike Shanahan has proven his worth as a head coach (again), and this team won't be down for long.

Give Washington a player like Robert Griffin III at quarterback next year and watch out.

Playoff Odds: 500/1

24. Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns find a way to keep themselves in most games, but they aren't quite good enough to make a solid run throughout the second half of the season to become playoff eligible.

I'm impressed when looking at the Cleveland roster to see how well they are playing. Some may have expected more, but I still see an 8-8 team here, and that's pretty damn good for the Browns.

There's talent to build around here, and Pat Shurmur is the guy to get it done long-term.

Playoff Odds: 500/1

23. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are tough fighters, but they are building toward 2012. That much was clear when David Garrard was cut before the season and the team placed Luke McCown in at quarterback. Blaine Gabbert is getting reps now as the team's franchise quarterback of the future, but in Jacksonville they are clearly playing for next season.

Next season might mean a new coach, but if the Jaguars can at least play inspired football down the stretch, there's a chance Jack Del Rio keeps his job.

Playoff Odds: 250/1

22. Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are one of the most exciting teams in football, even if they aren't a serious contender to make the playoffs this season.

I was asked on Twitter today about the Panthers chances in 2012, and if they were in another division they would be a favorite. Since they are in the NFC South, chances are slim. I love what Carolina has done in the draft last season, but they need to erase memories of Jimmy Clausen and Armanti Edwards by picking up help at defensive tackle and cornerback this offseason.

Playoff Odds: 250/1

21. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have failed to impress me in consecutive weeks, which is the story of the Cowboys over the last several seasons. There is enough talent here to make the playoffs, and they are in the thick of things as the playoff race heats up, but something is missing.

Tony Romo is not a quarterback I can trust in the playoffs, much less as someone to lead a team there. Dallas may need to move on at quarterback before they are a playoff team. Granted, Romo may be a playoff guy elsewhere, but he's not been good enough to lead Dallas to the promised land.

Playoff Odds: 150/1

20. San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers just find ways to lose. Call me cynical, but I cannot trust a Norv Turner coached team to play up to expectations.

The Chargers lost in impressive fashion—fumbling the snap as they were running out the clock with a lead. This is the type of loss that can send a season into a downward spiral.

San Diego doesn't have time to soul-search, they play host this weekend to face the undefeated Packers.

Playoff Odds: 50/1

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be down, but they are not out. 

Tampa has a roster good enough to win the required games to get into the playoffs, but they'll have to play a lot better than they did against Chicago and San Francisco, and play more like they did in a win over the division rival Saints.

Tampa will get a chance to move up in my rankings next week if they can knock off the Saints. Until now, they're just slightly on the outside looking in.

Playoff Odds: 50/1

18. Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are officially in second place today, but with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers facing off tomorrow night, there is room for the Raiders to step into first place if the Chiefs win. 

The Raiders need a better performance from Carson Palmer this week, but coming off a bye it's very likely that Palmer will be better prepared for the game and can lead this team to a victory over the Denver Broncos.

Getting Darren McFadden back healthy is perhaps most important, but the Raiders schedule over the next nine weeks is tough either way.

Playoff Odds: 35/1

17. Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have won four straight games, putting them right in the thick of things in the AFC West.

The schedule gets tough for Kansas City—they see the Patriots, Steelers, Bears, Jets, Packers after the Dolphins this weekend and Broncos the next—but if they can come out with four wins and three losses, they'll be at 8-6 with two weeks to go. Those last two weeks feature winnable games against the Raiders and Broncos. 

The road won't be easy, but getting to 10 wins is very possible in Kansas City.

Playoff Odds: 30/1

16. Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have quietly become a pretty damn good team this year. They may not be ready to overtake the Houston Texans in the AFC South, but they are at least putting up a strong fight for the division and a Wild Card berth.

Tennessee is at least one year away, but if they had a healthy Kenny Britt and a motivated Chris Johnson, this would be a playoff team. Unfortunately, they have neither, and they'll just miss out on the playoffs this season.

Playoff Odds: 50/1

15. New York Jets

The New York Jets were a heavy favorite by some to win the AFC East this season, and at the very least to make an appearance through the Wild Card. I didn't see either happening, and still don't.

The Jets are the NFL's most overrated team. Their inconsistency at quarterback, lack of a running game and absence of a pass rush makes them unlikely to do better than .500 over the last nine weeks of the season.

Sorry, Jets fans, you'll be home for the playoffs this year.

Playoff Odds: 50/1

14. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are playing sound football with two straight wins. The schedule fairy will not be playing nice with Chicago over the next five weeks either—the team faces five straight playoff contenders.

By December we will know if the Bears are a legitimate playoff team or an 8-8 ball club with room to grow. Looking at their first seven games, the Bears are much closer to a middle of the road team than a playoff squad.

Give Jay Cutler an improved left tackle and a No. 1 wide receiver and the Bears are one of the best in the NFC. Without that, they'll never contend.

Playoff Odds: 40/1

13. Philadelphia Eagles

And the Philadelphia Eagles keep winning, and impressively so.

The Dallas Cowboys have been overrated this year (no surprise there), but the division win Sunday night was a big statement from the Eagles as to what we can expect from them over the next nine weeks.

If Jason Peters can make this kind of impact along the offensive line all season, the Eagles will be very tough to beat down the stretch. With a defensive line that excels at generating pressure, all Philadelphia has to do is get a lead and the game is over.

The Eagles started the season with a slow start that may be too big to overcome, but they will at least make it interesting.

Playoff Odds: 25/1 

12. Cincinnati Bengals

I actually checked twice to make sure the Cincinnati Bengals are really 5-2. They are.

Cincinnati is winning ugly ball games, but those wins are adding up. In a division usually dominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati is hanging in there at the midway point of the season. 

A division title seems improbable, but the Bengals have yet to see either Pittsburgh or Baltimore this year. Anything is possible at this point. 

If nothing else, Bengal fans have to be excited about the future of the team.

Playoff Odds: 25/1

11. Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons started the season off slowly, but they have quietly been building momentum toward the playoffs. Technically they are third in the division right now, but with a 1-1 record in the NFC South they are very much in the race for the division. Especially if the New Orleans Saints play like they did Sunday.

Atlanta has it all, and nothing less than the playoffs should be accepted for the Falcons this season. It will take a long winning streak to close out the season, but I believe the Falcons can do it.

Playoff Odds: 10/1

10. New Orleans Saints

If you lose to the winless St. Louis Rams, I'm going to drop you. A lot. Sorry, Saints fans, your team looked terrible on Sunday.

This happens to every team throughout the course of a season, but the Saints seem to do it with more regularity—at least over the last two seasons. The good news, if there is any at all, is that New Orleans still leads the division. For now.

The Falcons are coming up fast, and the Saints face a tough game this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—a team that beat them by six just two weeks ago.

Playoff Odds: 10/1

9. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions 5-0 start had everyone convinced they were a playoff team. After two losses in a row, some of those thoughts cooled. I still believe.

The Lions will gel as a team offensively, and hopefully they will get Jahvid Best back soon. With Best in the lineup this is a team that will be tough for anyone in the NFL to beat. 

The entire season will likely come down to the Thanksgiving day matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Getting a win there will mean Detroit is still in the NFC North mix, and if nothing else a leader for the Wild Card.

Playoff Odds: 5/1

8. Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills move down this week has nothing to do with how they have played or how I see the season going for them. It's just a little re-shuffling at the top. I still love you, Buffalo.

The Bills are the clubhouse leaders for the second Wild Card spot in the AFC—if they don't win the division outright. And they could.

The New England Patriots have an identical record and have also lost to the Bills, giving Buffalo a nice advantage over their big brother in AFC East. So, why is Buffalo No. 8 and not higher? 

This is all about trust, and maybe it's taken me longer to gain it than others, but when the games really start to matter I have more trust in Tom Brady and Bill Belichick than Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chan Gailey.

Playoff Odds: 10/1

7. New York Giants

The New York Giants are playing very good football, and their comeback win over the Miami Dolphins did nothing to doubt their ability in my mind.

The Giants are playing the best I have seen in the Eli Manning era, and that includes the 2007 season whey they won a Super Bowl title. The defense is flying to the football, Manning is accurate as ever and he finally has the talent to make plays. 

The key to the season will be the health of Ahmad Bradshaw and finding out if this offensive line can stand up against an elite pass rush. So far they haven't had to.

Playoff Odds: 5/1

6. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans keep winning, and winning in impressive fashion.

They can win close games and blowouts, rarely slowing down for either. I love the ability of this offense to make plays without their best player—wide receiver Andre Johnson. Once Johnson is back in the lineup, watch out.

The Texans defense isn't good enough (yet) to win a Super Bowl, but they are smart enough to make noise in the playoffs. Wade Phillips ability as a defensive coordinator is matching up beautifully with Gary Kubiak's offense. Houston will be dangerous, and that's not questionable.

Playoff Odds: 1/1

5. Baltimore Ravens

Sometimes it takes a comeback win over a bad team to wake up a roster that's as talented as any in the NFL. 

The Baltimore Ravens were close to losing one against the Arizona Cardinals this week, but they a switch was flipped. The defense started making plays, forcing Kevin Kolb into mistakes and creating turnovers. The offense clicked, with Joe Flacco finding Anquan Boldin downfield and Ray Rice running to daylight.

The Ravens will need to keep that momentum, as they face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night in a game that will determine the AFC North this year.

Playoff Odds: 3/1

4. New England Patriots

The New England Patriots have lost just two games, but for some reason it seems like so much more.

The Patriots have lost twice in games when Tom Brady was rendered all but human, and the defense failed to hold up against smart passing attacks. NFL teams will soon take note that double covering Wes Welker and throwing at a young secondary works.

Pittsburgh dominated by doing just that, and it's not out of the question that New England could drop several more games this year. 

I'm still picking them to win the AFC East, but there are chinks in the armor.

Playoff Odds: 3/1

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers make a big move up this week, and deservedly so.

I was down on Pittsburgh after a Week 1 pounding by the Baltimore Ravens and then two weeks of bad play—a close win over the Indianapolis Colts followed by a loss to the Houston Texans. However, looking back after eight weeks, Pittsburgh has lost twice and both times to a top six team. That's pretty damn good.

The Steelers have the right mix of talent, experience and energy to make a long run toward the top spot in the AFC this season. Consider me a believer, at least for another week—Pittsburgh still has a Sunday night matchup with the Ravens looming.

Playoff Odds: 3/1

2. San Francisco 49ers

With the NFL's second best record and playing in a terribly weak NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers are all but in the playoffs already.

Looking ahead, the 49ers face tough games at home against the New York Giants in Week 10, Week 12 at the Baltimore Ravens and then again in Week 15 at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even if they lose all three games, which is unlikely, the 49ers would be 12-4 and most likely the No. 2 seed in the NFC. That means a bye week and home-field advantage.

If Jim Harbaugh doesn't win NFL Coach of the Year, expect nothing but articles from me over the offseason complaining about it.

Playoff Odds: 1/1

1. Green Bay Packers

There is no question the Green Bay Packers will make the playoffs. At this point we're talking undefeated record.

The Packers must face the Detroit Lions twice (Weeks 12 and 17), as well as tough games in San Diego (Week 9) and New York to face the Giants (Week 13).

Needless to say, an undefeated record seems unlikely. Even the best teams lose tough games over the course of a 17 week season. It will take nothing away from the Packers if they enter the playoffs 15-1 or 14-2. This is still the team to beat in the NFL.

Playoff Odds: 1/1