NFL Power Rankings: Identifying the League's Quietest Contenders

We see it every year. The playoffs always have a few teams who surprise everyone, even if they just win one game.

Well, 2011 definitely has its fair share, especially with so many playoff spots open despite only three weeks left in the season. That said, here are some of quietest postseason contenders.

Baltimore Ravens (10-3)

Baltimore may be 10-3 and have swept the Steelers, but much more attention is going elsewhere in the AFC. For one, Pittsburgh's James Harrison has attracted a lot of attention with his hit on Browns quarterback Colt McCoy and then there's Tim Tebow in Denver.

The Broncos have won six straight (seven of eight) and are surging toward a playoff berth. Well, all that is fine and dandy to the Ravens who are slated to be the AFC's top seed.

Their top five defense will just take that as disrespect and basically eat anyone who faces them. Not to mention the potent offense that can be explosive at will, whether through the dynamics of running back Ray Rice (accounted for 1,622 total yards) or rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith (averages 18.7 yards per catch).

Now, linebacker Ray Lewis' absence the past few weeks also quiets down Baltimore. Nonetheless, the Ravens haven't really been talked about too much recently, so don't be surprised when they behave as the NFL's most angered team in the playoffs.

Houston Texans (10-3)

Despite the fact that Houston keeps winning, many skeptics have already written them off since the Texans have been mauled by injuries.

And rightfully so, because the Texans are a franchise that has yet to make the playoffs and the city of Houston hasn't seen an NFL playoff team since the Oilers in 1993.

However, the Texans, much like Baltimore, have a top five defense that can shutdown any explosive offense. One major difference, though, is that Houston knows how to run the ball as good as anyone in the NFL (ranked No. 2, average 151.9 per game).

So, because they like to play defense and run the football, Houston has gone on the back-burner. Today's NFL loves high-scoring affairs and constant dominance in the passing game. Well, unfortunately that's not the Texans forte, but that does not discount them from being legit contenders.

Because they are, so keep an eye out.

Atlanta Falcons (8-5)

Simply overlooked by the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in the NFC, the Falcons sit at 8-5 and are looking like the No. 5 seed when the playoffs begin.

They have a balanced offense and a solid rush defense, but the pass defense does need to improve. To that end, Atlanta is quiet because the Saints have already beaten them once and it was in the Georgia Dome.

So, no one is expect the Dirty Birds to fly down to The Big Easy and steal one from Drew Brees and Co. When the playoffs start, much attention will be going toward the anticipated Week 1 rematch of Green Bay and New Orleans.

It's not surprising however, it will make Atlanta a quiet contender along with virtually every other NFC team outside of Titletown and The Big Easy. Make no mistake about it, those are the NFC's two best teams, but Atlanta has played both and is capable of winning.

If running back Michael Turner gets going, the Packers and Saints rush defenses will be significantly worn down by halftime. Don't discount the Dirty Birds as they're arguably the best team to match up with the Packers and Saints.

San Francisco 49ers (10-3)

Mostly their non-explosive offense and the road loss to Arizona turns the lights off for a lot of people about the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers had two respectable losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore, but once they lost inside their division, well it appears to be game over. The NFC West is the NFL's worst division, so for a team like the 49ers to lost within it is a cause for concern.

That said, Arizona and Seattle have been surging and with San Francisco's lack of a passing game or legitimate pass defense, it's also not surprising that the Cardinals pulled off the upset. As for the playoffs, San Francisco is definitely going under the radar.

With New Orleans and Green Bay looking like the two best, the Niners' ability to slow the game down combined with a solid pass rush will go overlooked.

So, unless running back Frank Gore just explodes for an insane number of yards between now and a possible postseason game versus the cheese or Saints, don't be surprised if a lot of skeptics refuse to acknowledge the 49ers as a legit contender.

Week 15 NFL Power Rankings (LW = Last Week's Rank)

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

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