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NFL Playoff Power Rankings
MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 22: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings on the sideline against...
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1. Colts (14-2)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: The date of the last game the Colts tried to win: Dec. 17. The date of this week's divisional playoff game: Jan. 16. So essentially it will have been a month off for Indy's competitive juices to flow from kickoff to final gun. Should one extra week off affect the NFL's best team? Of course, it should not. But judging how the Ravens started last week in New England, Peyton Manning had better have his guys ready from the very beginning.THIS WEEK: vs. Ravens, Saturday
2. Chargers (13-3)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: The Chargers have become the chic Super Bowl pick again — and you know how THAT usually works out, so beware Chargers fans. This may be the last chance for LaDainian Tomlinson and Shawne Merriman to make a Super Bowl run in San Diego, but they face no cupcake in the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense and total defense.THIS WEEK: vs. Jets, Sunday
3. Saints (13-3)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: No matter what they say publicly, the Saints have to be wondering what happened to their mojo. Maybe the players subconsciously lost their edge after winning that huge Week 12 Monday nighter against the Patriots, a game that had a Super Bowl aura around it at the time. Now that the Pats' season is over already, the win loses a little luster. As do the Saints, as they're 2-3 since with their scoring total dropping in each successive game.THIS WEEK: vs. Cardinals, Saturday
4. Vikings (12-4)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: Brett, Brad ... have you guys kissed and made up already? Sure hope so, because your prize for earning the NFC's No. 2 seed is a home date with arguably the hottest team in the NFL right now. But the real mystery is Minnesota: What the heck has happened to Adrian Peterson? As the Vikes have morphed into more of a passing team, the guy who used to be considered the league's best RB has disappeared.THIS WEEK: vs. Cowboys, Sunday
5. Cowboys (11-5)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: The wait is over, the city can believe again and the coach, QB and owner can all finally breathe sighs of relief. The Cowboys won a playoff game and now that the gorillas have left Jerry's beautiful building, how far can these Cowpokes ride this playoff horse? Lately Tony Romo has played like John Wayne, but it's the defense that may bum-rush the league for a Super Bowl trip. THIS WEEK: at Vikings, Sunday
6. Cardinals (10-6)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: Do you believe in the Cards? They don't care, because they certainly think if Kurt Warner's in the lineup that anything is possible. The Jekyll-and-Hyde defense may not hold up in the playoffs, but with the Holy Roller throwing to the NFL's deepest WR corps, the Cardinals can beat anyone on any given day. THIS WEEK: at Saints, Saturday
7. Ravens (9-7)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: Now that the Ravens have returned to their roots as a running team with killer defense, they're no easy out in the playoffs. The nagging hip/leg injuries to Joe Flacco are a concern — running game or not, how the heck do you win a playoff win in this era with just 34 passing yards from your QB? THIS WEEK: at Colts, Saturday
8. Jets (9-7)
DIVISIONAL PROGNOSIS: Give Mark Sanchez some mad props after his playoff debut. If not for a horrible end-zone drop by Braylon Edwards, Sanchez's first-half line would have read: 8-for-10, 2 TD passes. Not bad for a rookie, albeit one well-shielded by the NFL's No. 1 running game. Congrats to the Jets for the wild-card win, but Cincy was clearly running on fumes. This week's opponent is a bit more rested and ready. THIS WEEK: at Chargers, Sunday
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