NFL Power Rankings: Which Contenders Are Playoff Locks?

We have almost completed nine weeks of the NFL season, and it has become quite clear that there is a lot of mediocrity floating around the league right now. There are a few teams that have separated themselves from the pack, but for the most part, everyone has three or four losses. 

That makes it extremely difficult to make playoff predictions, though it is more exciting for us as fans to watch each week because there is so much at stake. 

Now by giving playoff locks, I am not looking at teams like Green Bay or San Francisco. They are going to the postseason; everyone knows that. It doesn't do you any favors as a reader, so what we are going to look at is teams that are playing well right now and will make a charge to get in the postseason. 

Here are three teams that have emerged from the shadows to become solid playoff teams. 

New York Jets

We have all been critical of the Jets this season, particularly quarterback Mark Sanchez. But in an absolute must-win game against Buffalo, he stepped up, and the defense played like it did the previous two years.

The defense has lost its luster this season because they weren’t able to stop the run, and the secondary, minus Darelle Revis, had been susceptible to big plays. They stepped up in a big way, giving up just three points through the first 57 minutes of the game to a good Bills offense.

This team looks poised to make another late-season surge and get into the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Considering how the Bills and Patriots are playing, they might even be the favorites to win the division.

Remaining Schedule: vs. New England, at Denver, vs. Buffalo, at Washington, vs. Kansas City, at Philadelphia, vs. New York Giants, at Miami

Atlanta Falcons

I know that the Falcons just beat the winless Colts, but if you look at the way this team has been playing for the last month, it's clear that they are getting hot at the right time.

The defense has gotten better, particularly the front seven, and they are finally getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

The offense has always had the potential to be at least above-average, but their key playmakers have not been on the field together for a few weeks. That changed with the return of rookie receiver Julio Jones who is a superstar in the making.

The Falcons still have work to do if they want to compete with the best of the best in the NFL, but they are looking like a factor in the playoff race coming down the stretch.

Remaining Schedule: vs. New Orleans, vs. Tennessee, vs. Minnesota, at Houston, at Carolina, vs. Jacksonville, at New Orleans, vs. Tampa Bay

Baltimore Ravens

After two down weeks, the Ravens got exactly what they needed with a big victory against AFC North rival Pittsburgh.

Quarterback Joe Flacco has had a bad year by his standards, but he played an efficient game early on and then led the offense in the final drive of the game that culminated with a beautiful touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.

The Ravens have been so inconsistent this season, but by sweeping the Steelers, they have put themselves in a plum spot to win the division or at least one of the two wild cards.

The defense has been making plays all season long, and even though they didn’t have their best game against the Steelers, they did enough to give the team a chance at the end.

If Flacco can play like this the rest of the season, this team can get back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 11 years.

Remaining Schedule: at Seattle, vs. Cincinnati, vs. San Francisco, at Cleveland, vs. Indianapolis, at San Diego, vs. Cleveland, at Cincinnati

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers (8-0)
2. San Francisco 49ers (7-1)
3. New York Giants (6-2)
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-2)
5. Detroit Lions (6-2)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
7. Houston Texans (6-3)
8. New Orleans Saints (6-3)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3)
10. New York Jets (5-3)
11. Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
12. New England Patriots (5-3)
13. Buffalo Bills (5-3)
14. Chicago Bears (4-3)
15. Dallas Cowboys (4-4)
16. Philadelphia Eagles (4-4)
17. San Diego Chargers (4-4)
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)
19. Tennessee Titans (4-4)
20. San Diego Chargers (4-4)
21. Washington Redskins (3-5)
22. Cleveland Browns (3-5)
23. Denver Broncos (3-5)
24. Oakland Raiders (4-4)
25. Minnesota Vikings (2-6)
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6)
27. Arizona Cardinals (2-6)
28. St. Louis Rams (1-7)
29. Seattle Seahawks (2-6)
30. Carolina Panthers (2-6)
31. Miami Dolphins (1-7)
32. Indianapolis Colts (0-9)