NFL Playoff Power Rankings – Who Are The Smart Plays Heading Into The Weekend?

With four more teams getting eliminated from the pursuit of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, it’s time to review this week’s NFL Playoff Power Rankings.

1. New England Patriots (14-2 SU, 10-5-1 ATS): Quick question, is there any reason not to rank the Patriots at No. 1? We can’t think of a single one, as New England enters their matchup Sunday with the Jets well rested, and with a renewed sense of focus. The Patriots won their last eight games, scoring at least 30 points in each, and went 6-2 against the spread over that stretch. Oh, and this Tom Brady guy seems pretty good too, as he threw for 36 touchdowns and just two interceptions this year.

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2. Atlanta Falcons (13-3 SU, 11-5 ATS): While the Falcons aren’t getting a ton of respect from the NFL Betting public, we like them at No. 2 in our NFL Playoff Power Rankings. Atlanta is led by the fearsome offensive combo of Matt Ryan who threw 28 touchdowns this year and running back Michael Turner who rushed for over 1,300 yards. Roddy White led the NFL with 115 catches this season.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4 SU, 10-6 ATS): No team in the NFL Playoff Power Rankings has more playoff savvy than the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were Super Bowl champions just two years ago. No one has a better defense either, as Pittsburgh ranked No. 1 in the NFL allowing just 14 points per game this year. Their run defense is especially feared, as it allowed an unheard of 63.8 yards per game to the opposition. Good luck going against the Steelers!

4. Baltimore Ravens (12-4 SU, 8-7-1 ATS): As a matter of fact, the team that will be forced to go against Pittsburgh this weekend will be Baltimore, a club which already won at Heinz Field back in October. The Ravens are led by quarterback Joe Flacco who threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns in a dominating Wild Card Weekend win over Kansas City.

5. Green Bay Packers (10-6 SU, 9-7 ATS): Speaking of quality Wild Card Weekend performances, how about Aaron Rodgers did in Philadelphia last Sunday? In a win over the Eagles, Rodgers tossed for three touchdowns as Green Bay held on for victory. Also, Green Bay has to be confident in their trip to Atlanta this weekend, as they almost won at the Georgia Dome earlier this year, before falling 20-17.

6. Chicago Bears (11-5 SU, 9-6-1 ATS): Does any team consistently get less respect in the NFL Playoff Power Rankings than the Chicago Bears? The Bears enter this weekend refreshed after having a bye last weekend. Chicago has the No. 4 ranked scoring defense in the NFL, allowing 17.9 points per game. That’s terrible news for the Seahawks, who head to Soldier Field Sunday afternoon.

7. New York Jets (11-5 SU, 9-7 ATS): Simply put, if New York is going to pull an upset in New England this weekend, it’ll have to be because of their defense. The Jets allow just 291 yards and 19 points per game, both of which rank in the top six in the NFL. That defense will have to make up for the shortcomings of quarterback Mark Sanchez, who completed just 54 percent of his throws this season.

8. Seattle Seahawks (7-9 SU, 7-9 ATS): A week ago the Seahawks were at the bottom of these rankings, and what’d they do? Go out and upset the defending champion New Orleans Saints last Saturday, that’s what the, that’s what they did. Now on the road for the first time in these playoffs, Seattle will need a few breaks to hang with the Bears for four quarters.

But why can’t Pete Carroll’s crew pull off another NFL Playoffs Power Rankings upset?