NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Projecting the Entire NFL Playoff Picture

The playoff picture seemingly is becoming more clear in the NFC as opposed to the AFC. However, it's never too early for projecting the seeds in each conference.

So with that said, here are the 12 playoffs teams we can expect once the regular season has concluded. 

AFC

No. 1: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are 4-0 at home. Both losses have come on the road, but sweeping the season series over the Steelers takes the cake. Right now Baltimore is playing the best football in the AFC and should finish with a 12-4 record.

No. 2: New England Patriots

Since starting 5-1 the Pats' have dropped two straight and are lucky to be tied atop the AFC East. That said, until New England is dethroned it is their crown to lose.

The Pats' finish with a record of 11-5, but get the No. 2 seed over the Texans because despite having the same conference record of 9-3, New England has a stronger strength of schedule.

No. 3: Houston Texans

Arguably the scariest team in football right now because Houston is continuing to win without WR Andre Johnson. And once he returns (whenever that may be), the Texans will really catch fire.

Houston will win their first division title, make their first playoff appearance, and have a record of 11-5.

No. 4: Kansas City Chiefs

Someone has to win the AFC West and once again it's the Kansas City Chiefs. K.C. may have lost their two best players, but they have fought back to a 4-4 record and currently hold the tiebreakers over Oakland and San Diego within the division.

No team finishes better than 8-8 in the AFC West though, so don't expect any fireworks when the postseason begins.

No. 5: Pittsburgh Steelers

You can't ever count out the Pittsburgh Steelers until the smoke has cleared and they are actually out. Pittsburgh is just one of those teams that you know is capable of making a strong run before the season ends.

The Steelers finish with a record of 11-5 and get the higher wild card spot, thus making another rematch with Baltimore that much more realistic.

No. 6: New York Jets

The Jets have a stronger schedule remaining than meets the eye, but after getting a big road win over Buffalo, New York manages to fend off the Bills and Bengals to get the final playoff spot at 10-6.

Another tough road awaits the Jets in the postseason, but it's not like they haven't succeeded in this position before.

NFC

No. 1: Green Bay Packers

The undisputed No. 1 seed, even with a susceptible pass defense. The scary thing about the Packers is that they have yet to play their best ball.

However, Green Bay does slip up one time (at Giants) but 15-1 is nothing to complain about.

No. 2: San Francisco 49ers

Despite being in the NFL's weakest division, San Fran has only played one divisional game this season. So, not only is their 7-1 record legit, the 49ers are only going to get better.

We're talking 13-3 and a complete turnaround from 2010. The question is how they live up to the hype in the postseason.

No. 3: New Orleans Saints

The Saints dealt with a strong schedule all season long, but because they have the second best QB in the NFC, New Orleans wins their second NFC South title in three years with a 10-6 record.

And don't expect New Orleans to bounce early in 2011 like 2010, because The Big Easy is anxious to make a postseason run like they did in 2006 and 2009. 

No. 4: New York Giants

It was a tough second half schedule for The Big Blue Wrecking Crew, but the Giants battled their way to an NFC East title and a 10-6 record.

However, because of their loss to the Saints, New York loses the tiebreaker to get the No. 3 seed. But making the postseason is all that matters to The Big Apple.

No. 5: Atlanta Falcons

Despite the slow start, Atlanta scraps its way back into the playoffs with a 10-6 record.

And although they split the season series with the Saints, New Orleans gets the division title thanks to a 4-2 NFC South record, as opposed to the Falcons who go 3-3.

No. 6: Detroit Lions

After starting 5-0 the Lions manage to fend off the historic curse of Bobby Layne and make the postseason for the first time since 1999. And with their 10-6 record, Detroit gets the No. 6 seed.

They would have earned the No. 5 spot, but the Falcons won the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, it's clears that The Motor City has a solid football team for the immediate future to say the least.

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank) (* = MNF Teams)

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

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report. 

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