End of Regular Season NFL Power Rankings

Lee Russakoff's NFL Power Rankings

It’s playoff time, but before we get there let's look back to my preseason rankings for some hits and misses. My Top 10 included six of the 12 playoff teams, while only one playoff team (Chiefs) came from My Dreadful Dozen (well, two if you count the Seahawks – which I don’t). Not bad. I missed badly on the Vikings, Cowboys and 49ers. But really, who didn’t?

Overall, looking back, I feel pretty good about the season. As for going forward, I’ll have my picks later in the week. If you want to make money, bet against me. (AP Photo)

More from this Slideshow

0 of 0

End of Regular S... It’s playoff time, but before we get there let's look back to my preseason rankings for some hits and misses. My Top 10 included six of the 12 playoff teams, while only one playoff team (Chiefs) came from My Dreadful Dozen (well, two if you count the Seahawks – which I don’t). Not bad. I missed badly on the Vikings, Cowboys and 49ers. But really, who didn’t?

Overall, looking back, I feel pretty good about the season. As for going forward, I’ll have my picks later in the week. If you want to make money, bet against me. (AP Photo)
32. Carolina Pan... Thank God that’s over. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
31. Arizona Card... I asked Coach Whisenhunt how hard it is to be the worst team in the worst division ever assembled. His response: “Surprisingly, not hard at all.” (Editor’s Note: Both Lee’s question to Whisenhunt and Whisenhunt’s answer are completely fabricated.) (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
30. Cleveland Br... Gotta love the Schefter fauxpology. “Families are affected.” But I won the office pool! (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
29. Miami Dolphi... For the record, I love Ricky Williams. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
28. San Francisc... Wait, Jim Tomsula used to live in his car? How did I miss this? How are the Niners not bringing him back just for the potential of a tear-jerking Michael Irvin pregame interview? (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
27. Tennessee Ti... What? No option “C”? (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
26. Buffalo Bill... And like that, poof. The Bills’ problems are gone. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
25. Minnesota Vi... You see, Brett. Now this is an appropriate (and funny) thing to text to people. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
24. Washington R... It’s been a horrendous year, but look at the bright side: Mike Shanahan finally got to see more of John Beck. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
23. Denver Bronc... For all the QB drama, the coaching drama and the off-the-field drama this season, Denver better start focusing on its biggest problem -- that 32nd-ranked defense. Use that newfangled No. 2 pick wisely. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
22. Houston Texa... When columnists start quoting Bobby McFerrin, it’s time to pick a new NFL team. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
21. Cincinnati B... I’m not advocating violence … but when someone punches you in the mouth for no reason, and your team is 4-11 at the time, maybe you retaliate rather than complain to the official. (OK, I guess I am advocating violence … but with helmets on). (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
20. St. Louis Ra... Buck up, Rams fans. That loss bumped you up seven slots in the ’11 draft. Plus, your QB has a pimped out ping pong table. Things are looking up. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
19. Dallas Cowbo... Since Jason Garrett took over, only the Patriots and Eagles have scored more points than the Cowboys. Congrats on the new gig, Red. Jerry will be interfering with your ability to do your job in 3 … 2 … 1 … (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
18. Jacksonville... Jacksonville could run the ball, but it couldn’t pass, stop the pass or stop the run. My NFL self-worth has been rebuilt after this swoon. I had this team right all along. But I promised Keith from Jacksonville the rest of the year, so here you go: "Winning in Houston without Garrard and MJD was a tall order. But c'mon, 497 yards allowed to the Texans with the playoffs on the line? It’s going to be a loooong offseason for Jacksonville." (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
17. Seattle Seah... No offense, Seattleites. But does it really matter? (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
16. Detroit Lion... I don’t know if I’d go as far as Jim Schwartz, but it has certainly been a lot of fun watching Detroit these past four weeks. And when is the last time you could say that? (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
15. San Diego Ch... No. 1 in total offense. No. 1 in total defense. No. 1 in our hearts. But out of the playoffs. Why would the coach pay for that? (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)
14. Oakland Raid... They went 6-0 in the division, had the franchise's most wins since 2002, and Tom Cable lost his job. It’s settled. Al Davis is Gollum. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
13. New York Gia... With such high character guys, I can’t figure out why the Giants seem to collapse every year. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
12. Tampa Bay Bu... Back in August, I didn’t think the Bucs’ youth movement was going to be enough to improve on the team’s three-win 2009 campaign, let alone reach Raheem Morris’ seemingly ridiculous goal of 10 wins. I apologize, Raheem. Great job. Great season. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
11. Kansas City ... Nobody – and I mean nobody – burns a bridge like Jason Whitlock. That man can spit fire. Also, stats suck. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
10. New York Jet... As long as the Jets can somehow get Roger Goodell to be the judge in the new civil case against him filed by two massage therapists, they’re home free. There is no way a reasonable NFL commissioner who “looks at all the facts and forensic evidence” could conclude picture text capability was even possible way back in 2008. Besides, it’s not like any sort of disturbing, sociopathic and deranged pattern is emerging. (AP Photo)
9. Indianapolis ... I’m sorry Indy, but I’m not excited about your prospects this year. Though from the looks of it, you aren’t either. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
8. Philadelphia ... “No, I’m not comparing [Vick] to a child molester…” Come on, admit it. Tucker Carlson is the best comedian we’ve seen since Richard Pryor. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
7. New Orleans S... The Saints – a franchise that has never won a road playoff game – will have to win three just to get a shot at repeating. The NFC is wide open, but I just don’t see New Orleans pulling that off. Not without a running game. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
6. Chicago Bears... I admire Lovie playing his guys. Was it to keep his team fresh or was it in fear of potentially facing the Packers in the NFC Championship game? My Magic Eight Ball says …. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
5. Atlanta Falco... Hahaha. That’s hilarious. You just soaked your boss and ruined his $5,000 suit. You’re fired. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
4. Green Bay Pac... Some say the winner of Sunday’s game in Philly will represent the NFC in Dallas. I’m not going that far (though it wouldn’t shock me), but I do think we could have another 4th-and-26 classic on our hands. And I do think the Packers are the hottest team in the NFC. Will that be enough to win @PHI, @ATL and @XXX? We’ll see. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
3. Baltimore Rav... How do you add all those offensive weapons and slip offensively from last year? Down to 22nd in the league in yards; 16th in points. The offense is going to need to figure it out if the Ravens plan on making this a long road trip. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
2. Pittsburgh St... Mike Wallace has only caught 99 balls in his two-year career. Eight have gone for 40-plus-yard touchdowns. He and Ben already have the most such connections in Steelers history, and the kid’s career has just begun. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
1. New England P... How good of a coach is Bill Belichick? He turned a safety like Rodney Harrison into a Pro Bowler without letting Harrison know he was playing a sport. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)
Worst Sports Cal... Check out some of the worst official calls in the history of sports here.