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Cappers NFL Picks: Wildcard Pro Football Power Rankings

Where Each Team Stands Heading Into Wildcard Weekend

Another insane season of NFL football is in the books – the playoff matches are set and lockers are being cleaned out as we speak. The Seahawks end the regular season looking like the best team by far, the Cowboys are scary and the Patriots look like the team to beat in the AFC.

NFL Spreads & Matchup Insight

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So after 16 grueling games, where did your favorite team end up in the Capperpicks Power Rankings? Let’s take a look!

1. Seahawks (12-4) Last Week: 1

The Seahawks enter the playoffs on a six game win streak, looking very much like the team to beat! How good has the defense been? They have allowed a TOTAL of 36 points during their streak and have allowed a total of three offensive TDs over that span. With a well balanced offense and home-field throughout Seattle looks well on their way to a repeat.

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2. Patriots (12-4) Last Week: 2

The Pats sat a number of their regulars this past Sunday so it is a bit difficult to rank them. But as the AFC’s top seed there is little doubt about New England being 1B to close the season. With an extra week to rest and for Belichick to scheme and home field, it’s beginning to look a lot like a Seattle/New England Super Bowl.

3. Packers (12-4) Last Week: 3

The Packers did what they had to do Sunday – beat the Lions for the NFC North crown. Now they get an extra week to heel (thank goodness for Aaron Rodgers). The Pack have been untouchable at home and have an offense Taylor-made for the playoffs. You gotta love Mr. Rodgers and Eddie Lacy!

4. Cowboys (12-4) Last Week: 4

Tony Romo, Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray make up the most balanced offenses in the game and the defense has seriously overachieved all season long. Add in the fact that Dallas went 8-0 on the road this year and you have a dangerous team as we head into the playoffs.

5. Broncos (12-4) Last Week: 5

The Broncos finally played a solid all around football game in Week 17 – but it came against the lowly Raiders! The team had 451 yards of offense, surrendered 199 yards on defense and will now get a bye to rest their aging stars. The Broncos are still rich with talent but a little untrustworthy as we head into the season – don’t ya think?

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6. Steelers (11-5) Last Week: 7

AFC North champs got a scare Sunday night – Le’Veon Bell’s hyper extended knee could be a huge issue going forward. That said Big Ben/Antonio Brown look unstoppable and if Bell is healthy (it sounds OK as of Monday morning) Pittsburgh becomes one of the more interesting sleepers in the playoffs. Offense, not defense can win this team games in the postseason.

7. Lions (11-5) Last Week: 6

The Lions can’t win on the road against winning teams and are now tasked with heading into Dallas to take on the high-powered Cowboys. They have talent on both sides of the ball but have been unable to put that all together the last month or so. On paper this team is top 5 – on the field I had a hard time keeping them in the top 10.

8. Colts (11-5) Last Week: 9

The Colts took their foot off the gas in Week 17 and still won handily. This team’s fortunes rest on Andrew Luck – the Indy defense and the running game are of little help right now. Luck unfortunately seems to be in a bit of a slump right now. Cincinnati is on the horizon this week – it should be interesting!

9. Bengals (10-5-1) Last Week: 8

The Bengals had their chances Sunday night against Pittsburgh but fell short AGAIN. Andy Dalton is one of the most untrustworthy pivots in the game today – he hasn’t won a playoff game yet. The Bengals play a Colts team that shut them out 27-0 earlier this year and AJ Green is dealing with concussion issues! Yikes.

10. Ravens (10-6) Last Week: 13

The Ravens took some time to get it going in Week 17 but qualified for the playoffs with a nice win. Haloti Ngata returns from suspension which helps the defense immensely – if only the offense was a tad more consistent!

11. Cardinals (11-5) Last Week: 11

The Cardinals are 2-4 in their last six games averaging 12.2 points over that span – ugly! They looked OK in a three point loss to the 49ers – the offense came alive and the defense still looked pretty good. Hopes are that Drew Stanton can return for this weekend or this team is in serious trouble!

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12. Eagles (10-6) Last Week: 12

The Eagles are the only team in the dirty dozen that won’t be playing in the postseason. But do you put this team below the Panthers? Seriously! Hard to say where this team would be if Nick Foles wasn’t injured!

13. Chargers (9-7) Last Week: 10
14. Texans (9-7) Last Week: 14
15. Bills (9-7) Last Week: 15
16. Chiefs (9-7) Last Week: 17
17. Panthers (7-8-1) Last Week: 18
18. 49ers (8-8) Last Week: 21
19. Vikings (7-9) Last Week: 22
20. Dolphins (8-8) Last Week: 16
21. Saints (7-9) Last Week: 24
22. Giants (6-10) Last Week: 20
23. Falcons (6-10) Last Week: 19
24. Rams (6-10) Last Week: 23
25. Browns (7-9) Last Week: 25
26. Bears (5-11) Last Week: 26
27. Jets (4-12) Last Week: 27
28. Raiders (3-13) Last Week: 28
29. Redskins (4-12) Last Week: 29
30. Jaguars (3-13) Last Week: 30
31. Titans (2-14) Last Week: 32
32. Buccaneers (2-14) Last Week: 31

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.