NFL Power Rankings: Playoff Teams That Won't See the Super Bowl Until Next Year

In theory, the teams that make the playoffs have a 1-in-12 shot at winning the Super Bowl. But we all know that it doesn't quite work that way. 

These teams are all in the playoffs this year and have solid foundations. But we're going to have to wait until next season before seeing quality playoff runs from them. 

Cincinnati Bengals

If they don't mess up, the Bengals have what it takes to dominate the AFC North for a long time. They have a foundation of players who are young and immensely talented. Unfortunately, it's not going to work this year.

The first-round game in Houston is a tossup. But if the Bengals manage to get through that one, they will face the Patriots. That one won't go as well. What the Bengals need to focus on is getting a strong receiver to line up opposite A.J. Green, or a back. 

If that happens, the Bengals would have the offensive punch to score enough points to beat a team like New England. But until they get to that point, the Bengals are going to be an early playoff exit.

Detroit Lions

A trip to New Orleans will not work out well for the Lions. They don't have the kind of defense to give Drew Brees trouble, and the Saints are nearly unbeatable at home. 

That said, the Lions will be in position to win in future seasons. They have a great defensive front, one of the best young quarterbacks in the game in Matthew Stafford and a receiver that I am not completely sure is even human. 

What the Lions need is to improve their running game. Once that's done, they need to defend the run. If the Lions have that, their defensive line is more than good enough to make up for weaknesses in the secondary.

But until that happens, the Lions won't go from a good team to a great one. 

Houston Texans

When they're healthy, the Texans may well be the best team in the AFC. The problem is that they aren't healthy right now. They're not even close to being healthy. 

Because of that, their luck is going to run out quickly. There's a chance that they get through the Bengals on Saturday, but their luck will run out against the Ravens the following week. 

The Texans certainly benefited from a great beginning of the season and from a division that's far from daunting. They are just not a playoff team right now.

They qualified based on early season accomplishments, but they're not a team that strikes fear into anyone at the moment. 

Michael Dixon's NFL Power Rankings

Rank.	Team	Record
1.	Green Bay Packers	15-1
2.	New Orleans Saints	13-3
3.	Baltimore Ravens	12-4
4.	San Francisco 49ers	13-3
5.	New England Patriots	13-3
6.	Pittsburgh Steelers	12-4
7.	Atlanta Falcons	10-6
8.	Detroit Lions	10-6
9.	Cincinnati Bengals	9-7
10.	New York Giants	9-7
11.	Houston Texans	10-6
12.	Denver Broncos	8-8

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