The NFL playoffs are here!
After 17 weeks, 12 teams have emerged for a postseason that looks intriguing on a number of levels. Can anyone in the AFC stop the Patriots? Will the Cowboys’ dynamic rookie duo of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott continue to shine in elimination games? The Packers have won six straight and the Steelers have won seven – will they keep rolling through the Wild Card Weekend?
This weekend, the Saturday games feel like an appetizer for Sunday. Raiders-Texans and Lions-Seahawks should both be fun, but Sunday’s slate of Dolphins-Steelers and Giants-Packers should be even better.
Here are our rankings entering the playoffs.
Enjoy the games!
12. Oakland Raiders
2016 record: 12-4
Seed: 5th in AFC
Opponent: at Houston Texans
One thing to know: With both Derek Carr and backup Matt McGloin sidelined with injuries, rookie quarterback Connor Cook will make his first NFL start - on the road, in the playoffs.
11. Houston Texans
2016 record: 9-7
Seed: 6th in AFC
Opponent: vs. Oakland Raiders
One thing to know: The Texans are starting Brock Osweiler over Tom Savage against the Raiders. This could be the game for Osweiler to salvage his career with the Texans.
10. Detroit Lions
2016 record: 9-7
Seed: 2nd in NFC North, 6th in NFC
Opponent: at Seattle Seahawks
One thing to know: The Lions are limping into the playoffs after losing their final three games of the season. And none of their nine wins this season came against teams currently in the playoffs.
9. Miami Dolphins
2016 record: 10-6
Seed: 6th in AFC
Opponent: at Pittsburgh Steelers
One thing to know: The Dolphins are holding out hope that Ryan Tannehill will start at quarterback this weekend, but Matt Moore has been more than solid in his place. From ESPN: "Moore is 2-1 as a starter and has thrown for 721 yards with eight touchdowns, three interceptions and a 105.6 quarterback rating."
8. New York Giants
2016 record: 11-5
Seed: 5th in NFC
Opponent: at Green Bay Packers
One thing to know: Rookie Paul Perkins became the first Giants running back to rush for 100 yards this season, going for 102 yards in a Week 17 win against the Redskins. Considering the Giants ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing this season, Perkins may be starting in Lambeau.
7. Seattle Seahawks
2016 record: 10-6
Seed: 1st in NFC West, 4th in NFC
Opponent: vs. Detroit Lions
One thing to know: The Seahawks haven't pieced back-to-back wins since Weeks 9 and 10. Russell Wilson's 11 interceptions this season were the most of his career.
6. Green Bay Packers
2016 record: 10-6
Seed: 4th in NFC
Opponent: vs. New York Giants
One thing to know: The Packers have won six straight, and are currently 4.5-point favorites against the Giants.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
2016 record: 11-5
Seed: 1st in AFC North, 4th in AFC
Opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
One thing to know: The Steelers lost to the Dolphins in their lone meeting this season, but Ben Roethlisberger got hurt in that game. With the playoffs on the line, the Steelers averaged 26 points per game on a seven-game winning streak to close out the season.
4. Atlanta Falcons
2016 record: 11-5
Seed: 2nd in NFC
Opponent: Bye
One thing to know: The Falcons are an offensive juggernaut, putting up a league-best 33.8 points per game in the regular season. But the question, as always, is whether Matt Ryan can get it done in the playoffs. He's just 1-4 in the postseason in his career.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
2016 record: 12-4
Seed: 2nd in AFC
Opponent: Bye
One thing to know: In a banged-up AFC, the Chiefs, who many expect to be the biggest challenge to the Patriots, enter the playoffs with a healthy cast on both sides of the ball.
2. Dallas Cowboys
2016 record: 13-3
Seed: 1st in NFC
Opponent: Bye
One thing to know: According to FiveThirtyEight, the Cowboys have a 35% chance to reach the Super Bowl, but just a 14% chance to win it.
1. New England Patriots
2016 record: 14-2
Seed: 1st in AFC
Opponent: Bye
One thing to know: As soon as Tom Brady returned from suspension, it was business as usual for the Patriots. However, could a lack of true tests in the regular season (they played just one current playoff team with its starting quarterback during Brady's 12 games) make it a more difficult postseason than regular season for the Patriots?
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