NFL Power Rankings post-Thanksgiving

Tier 1 (Super Bowl favorites)
1. Green Bay Packers 11-0
Aaron Rodgers gets all the talk, and he deserves most of it, but what about the Packers defense. Shutting out the Lions for three quarters is extraordinary.
2. Baltimore Ravens 8-3
The Ravens have earned this spot in the rankings because they 4-0 against serious playoff contenders this season.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-3
Only the Steelers and the teams ranked ahead of them boast an above average quarterback, a brutal pass rush and playmaking secondary.

Tier 2 (Contenders)
4. New England Patriots 7-3
Two myths about the Pats are they’re defense stinks and their run game is nonexistent. The Patriots only allow 20.3 points per game, ranking 10th in the NFL. They also rush for 111 yards per game.
5. Dallas Cowboys 7-4
Demarco Murray has brought balance to the Cowboys offense, a scary proposition for opposing defenses.
6. San Francisco 49ers 9-2
No question about it -- the 49ers were exposed by the Ravens. Clearly the 49ers defense will have to force turnovers to assist the offense in big games.
7. New Orleans Saints 7-3
A team led by Drew Brees is a threat to beat any NFL team. But the Saints may not have enough defense to compete with Packers in the NFC playoffs.

Tier 3 (Early playoff exit likely)
8. Atlanta Falcons 6-4
With the Lions having a brutal schedule to close the season and the injury to Jay Cutler, the Falcons have a great opportunity to claim one of the two Wild Card spots in the NFC.
9. Houston Texans 7-3
Matt Leinart is in a great position to succeed, (underrated defense, great running game, the return of Andre Johnson) and I think he will easily lead the Texans to the playoffs.
10. Cincinnati Bengals 6-4
Andy Dalton threw for 373 yards against the Ravens. That’s very impressive. As long as the Bengals can take care of business against inferior teams, they will make the playoffs.
11. Chicago Bears 7-3
The Bears offensive line is atrocious and you can’t expect an inexperienced quarterback to succeed in this situation. But the Bears still can run it with Matt Forte and play stifling defense.

Tier 4 (Average teams that don‘t belong in the playoffs)
12. Detroit Lions 7-4
Just when you thought the Lions established a running game, Kevin Smith gets hurt. It would be devastating if Ndamukong Suh was suspended for next week’s clash against the Saints.
13. Oakland Raiders 6-4
I suspect the Raiders offense will carry them into the playoffs. But if the defense doesn’t improve, they will likely be one and done.
14. New York Giants 6-4
The disappointing trend for the Giants is there inability to run the ball. This leads to Eli Manning interceptions and Giants losses.
15. New York Jets 5-5
Mark Sanchez sub-80 QB rating tells the story. If the Jets had better quarterback play, they’d be Super Bowl contenders.
16. Philadelphia Eagles 4-6
A loss and their season is over. But before you say they are rated too high, honestly ask if you think the Eagles are worse than any of the teams lower on this list.

Tier 5 (The rest)
17. San Diego Chargers 4-6
18. Tennessee Titans 5-5
19. Denver Broncos 5-5
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-6
21. Miami Dolphins 3-8
22. Seattle Seahawks 4-6
23. Buffalo Bills 5-5
24. Washington Redskins 3-7
25. Carolina Panthers 2-8
26. Kansas City Chiefs 4-6
27. Cleveland Browns 4-6
28. Jacksonville Jaguars 3-7
29. Minnesota Vikings 2-8
30. Arizona Cardinals 3-7
31. St. Louis Rams 2-8
32. Indianapolis Colts 0-10