NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Playoff Odds for Every Team

It is hard to believe that eleven weeks have come and gone in the 2001 NFL Season.  This week there was not much change at the top in these rankings.  The Packers are still clearly the best team in the NFL with the 49ers in the number two spot.

This week's version of the power rankings includes each team's odds of making the playoffs. 

32. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts only shot to win a game this season is week 17 in Jacksonville.  It is hard to see them staying within two touchdowns of anyone else.

Of course the good news is that means they will be awarded the #1 pick in the draft where Andrew Luck will be waiting for his name to be called.

COLTS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 0 %

31. Washington Redskins

The Redskins have not won a game since week four.  At that point the were 3-1.  There is a decent chance they will not win another one. 

They do have contests left against the Seahawks and Vikings.  They will not win a game if they do not win either of those.

REDSKINS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 100,000,000 to 1

30. St. Louis Rams

The Rams had such high hopes heading into the season after a pretty strong season last year.  This season has been nothing but a regression and a disappointment.

They will be able to address one of their many needs with a top five pick in next April's draft, so at least there is a silver lining.

RAMS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 1,000,000 to 1

29. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are a confusing team.  They have enough talent on offense that they should be able to win some games, but yet they are 3-7 in a bad divison.

They do have games left against the Rams, Browns and Seahawks that they could win.

CARDINALS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 999,999 to 1

28. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars should already have an internal list of coaches to replace Jack Del Rio after he is fired when the season ends.

They also have to privately be worried if Blaine Gabbert was the right pick.  He is the only rookie of the 2011 class that has not shown any signs of being a competent NFL quarterback.  That could make their search for a coach a little bit tougher because no one wants to walk into a situation where a top QB pick is not good.

JAGUARS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 999,998 to 1

27. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are excited about their rookie quarterback.  He has played really well since taking over for Donovan McNabb.  They just need to add a big play receiver to have a good offense.

Minnesota has one of the toughest remaining schedules in the NFL.  That is not good for their final record this season, but it might just get them a top five pick in the draft.

VIKINGS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Pretty much non-existent 

26. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have lost three games in a row.  That streak comes to an end this week when they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts.  

That is probably the last win they have on the schedule.  Their offense is good enough that they might be able to win a game they should not, but the odds are pretty good they end the season with three wins.

PANTHERS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 990,000 to 1

25. Cleveland Browns

The Browns got off to a good start, but their season has come crashing down around them.  Of course the fact that Peyton Hillis has not played for most of the season has a lot to do with that.

They travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals in week 15.  That looks like the only game left on their schedule they have a chance to win.

BROWNS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 889,000 to 1

24. Miami Dolphins

Miami has won three in a row after losing their first seven.  At one point it looked like they would be in the running for Andrew Luck.  Now they are wondering if Matt Moore is their quarterback of the future.

They have a pretty tough remaining schedule, but they will pull a few more upsets if they keep playing the way they have the last few weeks.

DOLPHINS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Not good at all, but they sure look better than they did a month ago.

23. Kansas City Chiefs

It has been a rough season for the Kansas City Chiefs.  They have been hit hard by the injury bug.

They are another team that really has a tough schedule remaining.  There only good shot for a win with Tyler Palko at quarterback is a week 17 game with the Denver Broncos.

CHIEFS' PLAYOFF ODDS: It would pretty much take a miracle at this point.

22. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle is the second best team in the NFC West.  Of course they will end up finishing about 6 games behind the 49ers, but they have some positive momentum right now.  

They have a decent shot to finish the season 8-8.  They will just need to four of their last six.  It would just take one upset for them to accomplish that.

SEAHAWKS' PLAYOFF ODDS: On life support.

21. Denver Broncos

All of the talk surrounding the Broncos is about Tim Tebow.  That is a shame because their defense is really what people should be talking about.

The Tebow option can be effective for the rest of the season, but they will need to come up with some more wrinkles if they expect it to work after teams have a whole offseason to prepare for it.

Do not be surprised if Denver ends up winning four of their last six.

BRONCOS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Not good, but a hot streak could put them right in the mix.

20. San Diego Chargers

This really does appear to be Norv Turner's farewell tour.  His San Diego team just cannot get on track.  That is due in large part to the terrible play of Philip Rivers.  At this point they better hope that he has an injury that can be healed in the offseason.

This team is still alive in the AFC West race, but they do not look like a team that will make a push.

CHARGERS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Slim to none.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Things have not gone the way the Buccaneers wanted this season.  That is due in part to the poor play of Josh Freeman, but it is also the product of a really tough schedule.

Their schedule softens down the stretch with games against Tennessee, Jacksonville and two against Carolina.  Sitting at 4-6, they will need to run the table to have any shot at the playoffs.

BUCCANEERS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Barely still alive.

18. Tennessee Titans

The Titans have the highest paid running back in the league, and the worst rushing attack in the league.  That is not a formula for success.

They have some tough games down the stretch, but also have games left against the Jaguars and Colts.  

TITANS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Not out of the hunt, but it doesn't look good.

17. New York Jets

It sure seems like Rex Ryan's mouth has written a check his team cannot cash.  That is metaphorical.  He also now has to actually write a $75,000 check for his mouth.

When do they admit that Mark Sanchez is not a franchise quarterback?  They need to come to that realization sooner than later so they can get a guy in there who has a chance to lead them to the Super Bowl.

JETS' PLAYOFF ODDS: A lot slimmer than Rex Ryan.

16. Philadelphia Eagles

It sure does not seem like anyone wants to win the NFC East, but the Eagles are lurking.  They still have an uphill battle because of a slow start, but when you look at their schedule it is not impossible.  They have a tough game with the Patriots next week, but get the Seahawks, Redskins and Dolphins in their last five.

The key is finding some consistency.  Three weeks ago we thought they were on track when the throttled the Cowboys only to see them turn around and lose to the Cardinals the next week.

EAGLES' PLAYOFF ODDS: Check back in two weeks.

15. Buffalo Bills

The Bills are in a free fall.  They have lost their last three.  The offense that was once explosive has only been able to put up 26 points in those games.

They do not have a tough schedule remaining, but that does not really mean anything for this team.  They just lost by 27 to the Dolphins.

BILLS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Worse than the odds that their will be no snow in Buffalo this winter.

14. Oakland Raiders

Maybe the trade for Carson Palmer was the right call.  Palmer has made the Raiders the team to beat in the AFC West.

They have three tough games in their next four against Chicago, Green Bay and Detroit.  The other game in there is against Miami.  If they can split those four they will be sitting pretty in their division.

RAIDERS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Pretty dang good.

13. Dallas Cowboys

Can you imagine the firestorm that would be going on right now in Dallas had the Cowboys not pulled that game out on Sunday?  Luckily for them they did, and is all is quiet for now.

The Cowboys really only have three games left against contenders, and all three of those are division games.  They look to be in a good spot right now, but consistency has not been their strong suit this season.

COWBOYS' PLAYOFF ODDS: A little bit better than 50/50.

12. Cincinnati Bengals

All along the Bengals playoff hopes were going to come down to their four division games with the Steelers and Ravens.  So far they are 0-2 in those games.  They lost each by a touchdown.

They are still in a good spot at 6-4.  Their schedule is really outside of the games with Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Houston.  It looks like it will take a 2-1 record in those games for them to get in.

BENGALS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 50/50

11. Detroit Lions

Jim Schwartz is right, Kevin Smith is the story of the year in the NFL.  His 140 yards on Sunday has to be the most improbable 140 yards in the NFL in a decade.

All season long the Lions season has been leading up to the Thanksgiving showdown with the Green Bay Packers.  A win in that one would be the biggest Detroit win in recent memory.

The Lions have one of the toughest remaining schedules with two against the Packers and trips to New Orleans and Oakland.

LIONS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Not as good as you might think with their remaining schedule, but a win on Thanksgiving would make them a virtual lock.

10. Chicago Bears

The Bears have a really easy remaining schedule.  The problem is they are going to be without Jay Cutler for an extended period of time because of a thumb injury.  Does Caleb Hanie have enough to lead them to a wild card spot?

The answer to that is yes, probably.  The trip to Oakland this week is tough, but the next three are against the Chiefs, Broncos and Seahawks.  Even with Cutler out they should be able to go 3-0 in those. 

BEARS' PLAYOFF ODDS: A safe bet.

9. New York Giants

The Giants are in a little bit of tailspin losing their last two.  They do control their own destiny with two left against the Cowboys who they are currently tied with for the division lead.

Their next three weeks will tell the story.  They have games with New Orleans and Green Bay before their first showdown with Dallas. 

GIANTS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 73.75% based on remaining schedule.

8. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens got a huge bounce back win this week against the Bengals.  That win put them in sole possession of first place in the AFC North due to the fact that they won both games against the Steelers.

They have a tough one on Thanksgiving against the 49ers, but after that Cincinnati is the only contender left on their schedule.

RAVENS' PLAYOFF ODDS: A lock.

7. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons look like they have hit their stride.  They had a bit of a hiccup two weeks ago against the Saints, but bounced back to take care of the Titans this week.

They only have two games left against contenders, and one of those is against a Matt Leinart led Texan team.

FALCONS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Virtually in.

6. New England Patriots

The Patriots are hitting their stride at the right time, and it does not hurt that all of the teams in their division are going in the tank.

They only have one game left against a contender, and that is the Eagles who are barely a contender.  Wining out is a real possibility for New England. 

PATRIOTS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Just like always- they are in.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh is another team that benefits from a weak schedule.  They should be well rested after having a bye in week 11.  The only challenges remaining on their schedule are games against the 49ers and Bengals.  

Even if they drop both of those they will end up 11-5 and in the playoffs.

STEELERS' PLAYOFF ODDS: 100%

4. Houston Texans

The news that Matt Schaub is out for the season is devastating.  It will not keep them from making the playoffs because they are going to win the AFC South going away, but it probably means their first trip to the playoffs in franchise history will be short lived.

However, if there was ever a team set up to win with a weakness at quarterback, it is this one.  They have an excellent defense and running game.  They might be able to grind it out and win a couple of playoff games.

TEXANS' PLAYOFF ODDS:  For the first time ever, they are in the playoffs.

3. New Orleans Saints

At some point you look at a team's remaining schedule and not really worry that it is tough.  That is the case for the Saints.  They have some tough games left on their schedule, but you know that Drew Brees and company will raise their game when it is needed the most.

The only question for them is will they be able to win enough games to get the #2 seed in the NFC.  Then again, that might more depend on if the 49ers ever lose again.

SAINTS' PLAYOFF ODDS: Bet the mortgage.

2. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are 9-1.  Since we are talking about the odds this week, what kind of odds could you have gotten before the season started that San Francisco would start 9-1.  One hundred million to one?

The 49ers have two tough games left on their schedule.  Even if they lose both they end up 13-3 with the #2 seed in the NFC.

49ers' PLAYOFF ODDS: Take it to the bank.

1. Green Bay Packers

What is there left to say about Aaron Rodgers and the Packers?  They are clearly the best team in the league.  Anything less than a Super Bowl title would be pretty shocking at this point.

The only question that remains is will they go 16-0.  My guess is that they stumble at some point, but they will not end up any worse than 15-1.

PACKERS' PLAYOFF ODDS: What is the highest number there is?  Their odds are that to one.