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Power Ranking the 12 Teams of the 2015 NFL Playoffs

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By @BZarp

Power Ranking the 12 Teams of the 2015 NFL Playoffs

Green Bay Packers v Seattle Seahawks
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The NFL regular season is finally over and we’re down to the final 12 teams. Of course, the 12 teams participating in the postseason are not on level footing; there are some teams that stand out above others and clear favorites in each conference. Heading into the 2015 NFL playoffs, here is a power ranking of the 12 teams whose Super Bowl hopes are still alive.

12. Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera Carolina Panthers
Benny Sieu - USATODAY Sports

12. Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera Carolina Panthers
Benny Sieu - USATODAY Sports

Obviously, the only playoff team with a losing record is going to be at the bottom of the power rankings. Not only do the Panthers have a losing record at 7-8-1, but they also have a negative point differential for the season. By virtue of winning one of the worst divisions in football, Carolina is in the playoffs, albeit undeservedly so, and they'll even get to host a playoff game. Of course, the Panthers are just 4-4 at home this season.

11. Arizona Cardinals

Kansas City Chiefs v Arizona Cardinals
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11. Arizona Cardinals

Kansas City Chiefs v Arizona Cardinals
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It's hard not to be impressed with the job Bruce Arians has done in Arizona and the kind of season the Cardinals have had, but their prognosis for the postseason is bleak after losing four of their last six regular season games. The Cardinals have a strong defense, but they haven't cracked 20 points on offense since Nov. 9. A third-string quarterback starting appears likely, so they don't look like a contender.

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Giovani Bernard Andy Dalton Cincinnati Bengals
Andrew Weber - USATODAY Sports

10. Cincinnati Bengals

Giovani Bernard Andy Dalton Cincinnati Bengals
Andrew Weber - USATODAY Sports

The Bengals have had no trouble making the playoffs in recent years, but things have not gone well for them in the postseason, and the reasons for that haven't changed. Cincinnati has one of the best rosters in football, but compared to other playoff teams, they just don't stack up at the quarterback position. This is usually their downfall, and it's why they don't appear as strong as other teams heading into the postseason.

9. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts v Dallas Cowboys
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9. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts v Dallas Cowboys
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The Colts have had a nice season, but they also play in one of the worst divisions in football. Reaching the postseason was never going to be that hard, especially with Andrew Luck at quarterback. Luck is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he still doesn't have enough support around him. This is why the Colts have struggled against other playoff teams this season, and it's also why they're still not ready for a deep postseason run.

8. Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford
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8. Detroit Lions

Matthew Stafford
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The Lions have made a nice turnaround under Jim Caldwell this season and enter the playoffs with a real chance to win a game or two. The Detroit defense is the strength of the team and the biggest reason why they'll be competitive in the playoffs. However, there's always going to be some concern about Matthew Stafford performing in big spots, as the Lions have been sluggish on offense and just 1-4 this year against playoff teams.

7. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens
Troy Taormina - USATODAY Sports

7. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens
Troy Taormina - USATODAY Sports

The Ravens may have been the last team in, but they're legitimate contenders. Baltimore is good on defense, capable of running the ball and has a quarterback in Joe Flacco who has won a Super Bowl and has plenty of playoff experience. Those traits are going to give the Ravens a chance to do some damage in the postseason, even if they have a tough road ahead, needing to win three road games to reach the Super Bowl.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers
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6. Pittsburgh Steelers

Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Steelers have come on strong late in the season and could be a real threat in the AFC. Ben Roethlisberger may be playing as well as he's ever played, and he's got a big-time wide receiver threat in Antonio Brown. Assuming Le'Veon Bell is healthy, Big Ben's got a great back he can lean on as well. Pittsburgh is also solid defensively and has one of the best coaches in the NFL in Mike Tomlin calling the shots from the sidelines.

5. Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys
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5. Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys
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Fans are accustomed to seeing Tony Romo falter in big situations, but there are reasons to believe this year could be different for him and the Cowboys. Dallas has one of the best backs in the league in DeMarco Murray, which has helped to take a lot of the pressure off Romo. Murray helps the Cowboys control the ball, which helps out the Dallas defense. With that in their favor, Romo and the Cowboys are for real this year.

4. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos v Cincinnati Bengals
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4. Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos v Cincinnati Bengals
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This is not the dominant Denver team we thought we'd see this year -- especially with Peyton Manning showing signs of actually being human -- but they're still one of the best teams in the playoffs. The Broncos are much better defensively than they were last year, and they've developed one of the better rushing attacks in the NFL over the second half of the season. That means they're not as reliant on Manning, which puts them in good shape.

3. New England Patriots

Tom Brady
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3. New England Patriots

Tom Brady
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The Patriots have definitely proven themselves to be the best team in the AFC this year. Defensively, they are great in the secondary and have multiple players who can rush the passer. Offensively, their skill position players aren't all that scary outside of Rob Gronkowski, but as long as Tom Brady is under center, New England is going to be able to move the ball and score points, making the Patriots the team to beat in the AFC.

2. Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers Packers
Benny Sieu - USATODAY Sports

2. Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers Packers
Benny Sieu - USATODAY Sports

The Packers have the best player in football in Aaron Rodgers, which makes them one of the leading contenders to win a Super Bowl. But what keeps them from owning the top spot is the fact that they've struggled at times away from home, along with questions about whether or not the defense can be an equal partner in the success of the team. It'll be up to Rodgers and the offense to carry them as far as possible.

1. Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson
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1. Seattle Seahawks

Russell Wilson
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The Seahawks proved last year that even in an offensive league, defense still wins championships, and the Seattle defense is playing at a championship level heading into the postseason. Seattle also has one of the best running games in the NFL to control the ball and control the clock, as well as one of the smartest and most efficient quarterbacks in Russell Wilson. That combination makes the Seahawks more than capable of winning the Super Bowl.

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