Wild Card Weekend NFL Power Poll

The 2008 NFL Playoffs are just about ready to start and it’s time to take a look at where the teams rank heading into the playoffs.

The following is a ranking of all the teams going into the playoffs and will be updated each week before the weekend games begin.

1. Tennessee Titans-The Titans are still the top team until proven otherwise. However, if they end up meeting the Colts at any point, I think that Indianapolis will end up winning that game. Tennessee is just a little banged up heading into the playoffs but by the time they host a game, they should be healthy and ready to go.

2. Indianapolis Colts-I think that the Colts could run the tables in the AFC if they can get past the San Diego Chargers. When this team is healthy, they are one of the best in the NFL and they are on fire heading into the playoffs. With that kind of momentum and the ability that they have on both sides of the ball this team could go all the way to the Super Bowl.

3. New York Giants-The Giants are just barely better than the Carolina Panthers heading into the playoffs and do have some concerns with health but the bye week should be able to help them heal up and be ready for whomever they will meet in a couple of weeks. Still, without the big play receiving threat that they had with Plaxico Burress, the Giants become a little more one dimensional which won’t win them too many playoff games.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers-If the Steelers fail to generate any offense they are going to see an early exit in the playoffs. Their playoff fate also lies on the arm of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who is also known as the human punching bag. If he gets hurt the Steelers ship might just sink along with their Super Bowl hopes.

5. Carolina Panthers-If the Panthers can shore up their defense a little bit they just might surprise a lot of people and go all the way to the Super Bowl. If the Giants and the Panthers end up meeting at some point in the playoffs, it’s very likely that the winner could represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. This team is very good and if they can play their best they will be in the Super Bowl for sure.

6. Baltimore Ravens-A lot of experts are counting the Ravens out early in the playoffs but this team, which is a surprise to be in the playoffs as it is anyways, could end up being a huge surprise in the playoffs. With the defense that they have, this team is very opportunistic and could win some games in the playoffs if they can keep things together on offense. It’s a much better team than some people give them credit for.

7. Atlanta Falcons-After a surprising season, the Falcons will get a shot at making the Super Bowl thanks to strong play at both the quarterback and the running back position and just enough good defense to get them some wins. This team may end up as a real dark horse depending on who they are matched up against and they play the Cardinals which is a match up they could easily win if they can contain the Cardinals explosive passing attack.

8. Miami Dolphins-The Dolphins are another team that is a shocker when you compare their record from a year ago. While they may be the turnaround team of the year, this team could make a quick exit due to the competition that they will be facing. They have done many good things this season but won’t be in the race for the Super Bowl for too long. Better luck next season.

9. San Diego Chargers-The Chargers got into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth and will face the red hot Colts this weekend. The Chargers have managed to beat the Colts a lot during the past few seasons and seem to have the Colts number as of late. However, with the way the Colts have been playing lately, the Chargers may not win this one and see an early playoff exit.

10. Philadelphia Eagles-The Eagles, at one time with their backs against the wall, have made the playoffs and could win a game or two thanks to the momentum that they have brought with them going into the playoffs. This team is talented on both sides of the ball and have enough to quite possibly get to the Super Bowl providing all the right things happen.

11. Minnesota Vikings-The Vikings got into the playoffs with a lot of luck and need to play flawless football in order to win games and get to the Super Bowl. This isn’t a team that is going to not going to be able to curb mistakes however so look for them to make an early exit from the playoffs but be much better next season.

12. Arizona Cardinals-Although the Cardinals are going into the playoffs with a little momentum but it just might not be enough to earn them a win in the playoffs. They do have a home game and could win in Arizona but they are facing a tough Falcons team that can move the ball through the air and the ground and they might be too much for the Cardinal’s defense to handle.

By Bryan Dietzler