The 2011 NFL Playoffs are upon us but it's now time to take a look back at a season filled with mediocre football teams. These power rankings are for the end of the 2010 regular season.
Predictably, the very top and bottom of NFL power rankings are again unchanged as Wild Card Weekend approaches. A 7-9 team jumped ahead of a couple of ten-win clubs due to Seattle having at least one more game on the schedule. I also already have a prediction for next season. Hey, week one of the next season is only eight months away.
32. Carolina Panthers (2-14) : The nightmare is over. I guarantee Carolina will be better next season. Having a real quarterback will help.
31. Cleveland Browns (5-11) : Just the thought of another restart in Cleveland drops the Browns all the way down to 31. The four-game losing streak didn't hurt, either.
30. Buffalo Bills (4-12) : Buffalo's starters (well, some of them) couldn't hang with the New York Jets' bench. That's always a good sign.
29. Cincinnati Bengals (4-12) : It's time for a change in Cincy and I'm not just talking about the team's head coach. This offense could look very different next fall.
28. Denver Broncos (4-12) : Are they really a franchise headed in the right direction? I'm not entirely convinced just yet.
27. Arizona Cardinals (5-11) : Week 17 reminded everybody just how pitiful this team's offense really was in 2010. Larry Fitzgerald deserves better.
26. Tennessee Titans (6-10) : They're this low just because no decision regarding Jeff Fisher's future has been made. Picking a diva QB over Fisher would not be a wise move.
25. Minnesota Vikings (6-10) : Minnesota fans I know aren't too happy with the team's current coach or QB. Always a solid way to enter the offseason.
24. Washington Redskins (6-10) : Are the 'skins really going to enter next August with Rex Grossman as the team's starting QB? We're really doing this, Washington?
23. San Francisco 49ers (6-10) : The Niners aren't nearly as bad as they played in 2010. Get this team a slightly improved offense and we're looking at the 2011 division champs.
22. Miami Dolphins (7-9) : Is Bill Cowher going to play quarterback for the Dolphins next season? No? Then Miami needs more than just a coaching change.
21. Houston Texans (6-10) : Regardless of Sunday's victory, a lot of individuals on this team will soon be looking for work; like two-thirds of the defense.
20. St. Louis Rams (7-9) : I like what the Rams are doing but let's not kid ourselves here. They'd be an absolute mess outside of the NFC West.
19. Dallas Cowboys (6-10) : Fans are already picking the Cowboys to win the NFC East in 2011. Philly and New York might have something to say about that.
18. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) : Boy did they blow it. Jack Del Rio is lucky to have a job after three consecutive defeats in December.
17. Detroit Lions (6-10) : The 2011 NFC North champs. You heard it here, first.
16. Oakland Raiders (8-8) : Dominating the division doesn't mean anything if you can't beat teams like Tennessee, Arizona, Houston and San Francisco.
15. San Diego Chargers (9-7) : Dear San Diego: The regular season starts in September. Love always, your fans.
14. New York Giants (10-6) : I swear, if the Philadelphia Eagles go on to win the Super Bowl…
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6) : Ending the season as the best non-playoff team is quite the step for this young team. That home loss to Detroit three weeks ago was a heart breaker.
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-9) : Unlike every team beneath them, Seattle has at least one more game on the schedule AND it's a home playoff game. Don't blame me Seattle's this high in power rankings. Blame the NFL.
11. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) : KC has a lot to be proud of but they've had quite the emotional week. I think their season ends this weekend.
10. Green Bay Packers (10-6) : It wasn't pretty but Green Bay got the job done. My Super Bowl prediction lives for at least one more week.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) : Take away the last seven minutes of the Giants game and the Eagles are the second worst playoff team. How healthy will they really be this weekend?
8. Indianapolis Colts (10-6) : Peyton Manning has a home playoff game and nobody expects anything from his Colts. Just sayin'.
7. New York Jets (11-5) : It may actually benefit the Jets to be playing in a dome on Saturday. They're looking for revenge and not even pretending they're not.
6. New Orleans Saints (11-5) : Congrats, Seattle. You get the defending Super Bowl champs! Anybody picking against New Orleans?
5. Baltimore Ravens (12-4) : The other half of my Super Bowl pick would love some playoff re-seeding. Are the Ravens this season's road warriors?
4. Chicago Bears (11-5) : A week off and a home playoff game. Go ahead and keep ignoring the Bears.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) : I don't know if it's injuries, overconfidence or the losses to New England, New Orleans and the Jets. I just don't see it with the Steelers. Beating up the Browns doesn't impress me.
2. Atlanta Falcons (13-3) : The NFC's best regular season team doesn't have to think about an outdoor football game until February. We could be looking at a #1 vs #2 Super Bowl for the second straight year.
1. New England Patriots (14-2) : Without question the best team in the league as the playoffs begin. Who's beating this team at Gillette?
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