NFL Power Rankings: 49ers and Ruthless NFC Teams Nobody Wants To See in Playoffs

While AFC teams like the Texans and the Steelers are backing into the playoffs, there are a few NFC teams that are roaring into the postseason.

Not a single team should feel confident that they are going to make it to their conference championship. The Packers proved they aren't invincible, dangerous under-the-radar teams are being completely overlooked in both conferences and every team has looked vulnerable at one time or another.

Here are a few terrifying NFC teams that nobody wants to see in the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers proved they have the best defense in the NFL by destroying a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger and limiting the Steelers to three points.

Their historic run defense still has yet to allow a touchdown on the ground and they've only allowed 13.2 PPG.

With a league-high turnover differential of 21, the 49ers have perfected clean, physical football. They've proven they can win on the road, against elite teams and without star Patrick Willis. Once No. 52 re-enters the lineup, not a single team in the league will want to see them.

Green Bay Packers

Forget about the loss at Arrowhead. The Packers aren't invincible and now that all of this undefeated business has been buried, Green Bay can start looking at what's really important.

This nonsense about the Chiefs revealing the blueprint for stopping the Packers will be disproved quickly. Press coverage isn't a bulletproof way to stop Aaron Rodgers' passing attack and this notion that the Packers are vulnerable only makes them more dangerous.

The Packers could encounter an offense that can compete with them in the New Orleans Saints and the 49ers defense would give them a run for their money, but the Packers are far and away the scariest team in the NFL and one in which no team wants to encounter.

Atlanta Falcons

The Saints are rolling right now, but they aren't the most dangerous team in the NFC South. While New Orleans has jumped out to an impressive 11-3 record, their inexplicable road losses to the Bucs and Rams prove they are the same, vulnerable team that got spanked by Seattle in the postseason last year.

The Falcons have struggled on the road at times as well, but their top-five rushing attack and explosive passing attack creates a matchup nightmare for teams.

Adding Julio Jones into the mix gives the Falcons two receivers that have to be accounted for on every play, a top-flight running back in Michael Turner and a future Hall of Fame tight end. Matt Ryan and the Falcons may not have the record they touted heading into the postseason last year, but being underestimated gives them a chip on their shoulder that won't bode well for those who see them.

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

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