NFL Power Rankings Week 10: Contenders That Are Built for Playoff Success

If we know one thing about the NFL, it's that regular season success does not always translate to postseason success.

For example, you can easily think back to 2010. The Atlanta Falcons finished with an NFC-best 13-3 record, and promptly got destroyed by the Green Bay Packers in their first playoff game. The New England Patriots finished 14-2, and they were dominated by the New York Jets in their first playoff game.

You have to have certain things to succeed in the playoffs, and not every contender has them. When I look at the NFL landscape right now, I see five teams in particular that do have what it takes to make a deep playoff run.

Houston Texans (No. 11)

I've been critical of the Texans in recent days (weeks, months, years) for being overrated, but the only reason I'm saying it this year is because the Texans have gotten to where they are by beating up on some very easy competition.

However, there's no denying the Texans are the total package. They're one of the best defensive teams in the league (hats off to Wade Phillips), they have a dangerous rushing attack, and they have a passing attack that will be dangerous once Andre Johnson comes back.

Assuming these things are for real (I'm not sure they are for now), the Texans have more than enough firepower to succeed in the postseason. In fact, it's hard to ask for more than they have.

Detroit Lions (No. 9)

The Lions' lack of a running game frightens me, and I'm not sure about their secondary, but they have two other components that I think make them fit for postseason success.

We've seen in recent years that having a beastly pass rush can make a huge difference in the playoffs, and the Lions happen to have one. They're among the league leaders in sacks with 24, and they have a couple defensive linemen who can bring the heat. 

And then there's Matthew Stafford. When he's right, he's elite. When he struggles, he's still pretty good. He certainly has a lot to prove, but you get the sense that he could be one of these guys that is able to turn it on in the postseason.

To be honest, my biggest question concerning the Lions is whether or not they can make it that far. I don't think they're as good as their record, and the Chicago Bears are catching up to them.

But hey, I think they'll be dangerous if they get in.

Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 6)

Whatever you do, don't underrate the Steelers. They may not have the best record in the league, but you must keep in mind that they've only lost to the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, two very good teams.

Besides, we know that the Steelers have what it takes to win in the postseason. Their defense is still very much elite, and Ben Roethlisberger doesn't get nearly as much credit as he deserves for being one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

My only concern about the Steelers is that their offensive line is a patchwork unit that can be very easily beaten. Roethlisberger has been sacked a league-high 26 times, so he'll vouch.

But because Big Ben is so good at making plays outside the pocket, Pittsburgh's offensive line doesn't necessarily have to be the team's doom in a given game. Assuming the Steelers get into the playoffs, they'll make noise.

Baltimore Ravens (No. 4)

I'm extremely hesitant to put the Ravens on this list for one reason: Joe Flacco. I want to be optimistic about him, but he hasn't done much to prove that he is good enough to take the Ravens to the Super Bowl.

However, I do think he is good enough to stay along for the ride. The Ravens might be the best defensive team in the league, and you have to love what Ray Rice brings to the table. If the Ravens make it to the Super Bowl, it will be because Flacco didn't screw it up.

He'll be kind of like Trent Dilfer in 2000.

For the record, I should point out that I thought about putting the San Francisco 49ers here instead, as they are very similar to the Ravens in many respects. The reason I didn't is because I trust Flacco more than I trust Alex Smith.

Green Bay Packers (No. 1)

Duh.

My one gripe with the Packers is that they can be scored on this year. They don't have a bad defense, but they do have a defense that tends to get put in a position where it basically can't succeed.

And it's Aaron Rodgers who does it. He makes opposing teams throw the ball as much as possible, and there's only so much the Packers can do.

Thankfully, Rodgers is so good that it doesn't matter.

Zachary D. Rymer's Week 10 Power Rankings

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