USA TODAY International Edition
Patriots, Cowboys lead playoff field
The NFL power rankings heading into this weekend’s divisional playoff round. 1. New England Patriots: They’ve feasted on a weak schedule all season, and hosting the Houston Texans likely amounts to a soft playoff opening Saturday as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick try to reach a seventh Super Bowl together. Brady was betrayed by a patchwork offensive line last January but now lords over a relatively healthy group — Rob Gronkowski not withstanding — that gets wide receiver Danny Amendola back and appears to be rounding into peak form.
2. Dallas Cowboys: For the legion of Tony Romo apologists who suggested he should get his starting job back, now seems the appropriate time to bring up his 2- 4 playoff record as a reminder. Of course, we shudder to think about the blowback Dak Prescott will suffer — and what Jerry Jones might say — if Dallas suffers another postseason loss to the Green Bay Packers.
3. Atlanta Falcons: In case you didn’t realize, this is one of the 10 highest- scoring teams in NFL history. And in case you still don’t believe it, Matt Ryan probably deserves to be be named MVP. Now prepare to get familiarized with up- and- comers such as Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Vic Beasley and Keanu Neal throughout this month.
4. Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers is channeling his 2010 self, when his sublime late- season heroics sparked the Packers to a championship. With 22 touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last eight games, he could be writing a Super Bowl sequel. But he’s probably going to need wideout Jordy Nelson ( ribs) to be available as a supporting actor.
5. Seattle Seahawks: The flip side of their CenturyLink field playoff dominance? The Seahawks are 2- 9 in their most recent postseason games on the road, though both wins have come with Russell Wilson at the controls. Still, as well as Thomas Rawls ran the ball Saturday, Seattle can’t expect to shield its Earl Thomas- less defense from Matt Ryan and Co. by hogging the ball
for 37 minutes again.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers: Le’Veon Bell’s playoff debut ( 174 yards from scrimmage, two TDs) might be driving up the pending free agent’s offseason price tag, but it’s also providing legitimate hope this team can challenge for a seventh Lombardi Trophy. But Ben Roethlisberger must shake the inconsistency that has dogged him on the road while dealing with a damaged ankle.
7. Kansas City Chiefs: As much flak as quarterback Alex Smith takes for being a game manager, some of the most sparkling performances of his 12- year career have been reserved for the playoffs, where he has thrown for 11 TDs and one interception in five games while often trying to bail out an underperformaning defense. He might be in for some déjà vu Sunday against the Steelers.
8. Houston Texans: Coach Bill O’Brien’s job is safe for next season. Quarterback Brock Osweiler’s job is safe for a few more days. It’s scary to think what their defense could be with J. J. Watt healthy next fall. But watching this offense will remain scarier if Osweiler doesn’t make a quantum leap in 2017.