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Power Ranking The NFL Playoff Field

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Power Ranking The NFL Playoff Field

AFC Championship - New England Patriots v Denver Broncos
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The NFL playoffs will be underway next weekend and there are plenty of intriguing matchups. As the playoffs progress, favorites will emerge for the Super Bowl title, but for now there are clear favorites going in. Here are the power rankings for the 12 playoff teams from the AFC and NFC.

12. Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons
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12. Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers v Atlanta Falcons
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Sadly, the Panthers snuck into the playoffs by winning the NFC South with a record of 7-8-1 this season. Somehow, they will get a home playoff game, but they don't have enough firepower to do much. However, they will be taking on the Cardinals, who are on their third-string quarterback, in the first round.

11. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals
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11. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals
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It seemed like the Ravens were doomed after late-game losses, but Baltimore won on the final week of the season and snuck into the AFC playoffs. Riding their Week 17 win, they may be able to pull off an upset, but they don't have the offensive weapons to match up with most of the rest of the playoff teams.

10. Arizona Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers v Arizona Cardinals
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10. Arizona Cardinals

San Francisco 49ers v Arizona Cardinals
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Even though the Cardinals finished the season with an 11-5 record, they aren't exactly a force to be reckoned with in the NFC. They will get the Panthers in the first round, so they should be able to reach the divisional round. However, even if quarterback Drew Stanton is back for the second round, they are unlikely to be able to beat either the Packers or Seahawks on the road.

9. Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions v Minnesota Vikings
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9. Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions v Minnesota Vikings
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Two weeks ago, the Lions barely beat the lowly Bears and followed that up with a close game against the Packers in Green Bay. They have been relatively inconsistent this season and it's hard to envision a team with so little playoff experience going far in a loaded NFC.

8. Indianapolis Colts

Divisional Playoffs - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots
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8. Indianapolis Colts

Divisional Playoffs - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots
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Just a few weeks ago, the Colts were starting to seem like potential favorites in the AFC. However, their play has dropped off considerably as of late and there's cause for concern in Indy. Andrew Luck is going to have to really step up and lead this team if they want to make a deep run.

7. Cincinnati Bengals

Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals
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7. Cincinnati Bengals

Baltimore Ravens v Cincinnati Bengals
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Especially in the playoffs, the Bengals have been a very inconsistent team over the past several seasons. Until they prove they can win in the playoffs, you have to assume they're not going to be able to knock off elite teams in January. However, quarterback Andy Dalton may be playing with a chip on his shoulder this postseason.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers v Atlanta Falcons
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6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers v Atlanta Falcons
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The Killer Bs on offense have the Steelers rolling. They have enough firepower to do serious damage in the playoffs and with their offensive playmakers, they have the ability to knock off a top team in the AFC. That makes the Steelers very dangerous this postseason.

5. Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys
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5. Dallas Cowboys

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys
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For the first time in over a decade, the Cowboys are for real. They will get a home playoff game and if they can win that, they will travel on the road in the divisional round. They were 8-0 on the road in the regular season, so they should be considered among a handful of favorites in the playoffs this January.

4. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears
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4. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears
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As long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Packers have a chance to win it all. It's going to be tough for them to win a potential NFC Championship game in Seattle, but with their offensive weapons, they have as good a chance as any. Everything hinges on Rodgers' health.

3. Denver Broncos

Super Bowl XLVIII - Seattle Seahawks v Denver Broncos
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3. Denver Broncos

Super Bowl XLVIII - Seattle Seahawks v Denver Broncos
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While the Broncos don't seem to be on as much of a roll as they were heading into the playoffs last season, they're still very dangerous. Peyton Manning knows this is one of his last chances to win a Super Bowl and that's going to be a great motivator.

2. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Victory Parade
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2. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Victory Parade
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The defending champions are firing on all cylinders and seem like they're going to be a very tough out this postseason. In the NFC, the road runs through Seattle, which is a scary thought for other teams in the conference. Without a doubt, they're favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl for a second straight year.

1. New England Patriots

AFC Championship - New England Patriots v Denver Broncos
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1. New England Patriots

AFC Championship - New England Patriots v Denver Broncos
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A determined Tom Brady, an incredible Rob Gronkowski and a stellar defense is a recipe for success in New England. This is one of Brady's last chances to win a Super Bowl and he now has a supporting cast good enough to win another title. This season could really solidify Brady as the best postseason quarterback of all time.

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