Mark Maske's Playoff Power Rankings
Web Posted: Tuesday, Jan. 11; 1:20 p.m. EST
1. Steelers (15-1): Why the bye means so much: They likely will have all 53 players on their roster healthy enough to play this weekend, barring a setback or new injury during the week. (Last Week's Rank: 1) 2. Colts (13-4): If they can't beat the Patriots this time, with the rules in their favor and the defending champs' injuries, they might never win again in New England. (3) 3. Patriots (14-2): Losing CB Ty Law is a major blow, especially when it seemed all along that he'd be ready to return for the playoffs. Does Bill Belichick possess that much coaching magic? (2) 4. Eagles (13-3): It was over a month ago that they last played like a Super Bowl contender. (5) 5. Falcons (11-5): Is QB Michael Vick's shoulder sound? It bothered him late in the regular season, but he's had a bye week to rest. (5) 6. Jets (11-6): QB Chad Pennington's shoulder looked healthier in San Diego, but the Steelers still are likely to challenge him to throw downfield. (11) 7. Vikings (9-8): WR Randy Moss generated yet another controversy with his TD celebration at Lambeau Field. But he played hurt and played well when his team needed him. (16) 8. Rams (9-8): The offense is dangerous. But can this defense and these LBs deal with Vick? Unlikely. (10) Who Just Got Sent Home: 9. Chargers (12-5): Marty Schottenheimer's coach of the year trophy should come with an asterisk after the way he coached against the Jets. (4) 10. Packers (10-7): It's shocking that QB Brett Favre played that poorly, with the Packers looking like a Super Bowl threat in the wide-open NFC field. (7) 11. Seahawks (9-8): A talented team that ended up being so much less than the sum of its parts. (9) 12. Broncos (10-7): Those Colts receivers sure looked intimidated, didn't they? If you're going to talk that much, you at least have to show up to play. (8)
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