The NFL Playoffs are finally back and we could not be more excited. In just a matter of days, 12 teams will embark on one of the most grueling months in all of sports in pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy. The 2015 NFL season has been filled with dramatic games and fascinating storylines and that narrative will only continue to grow on the road to Super Bowl 50. While there are plenty of teams deserving of the title this year, we wanted to figure out who stacks up against the competition the best, so we compiled our own rankings of this year’s playoff contenders:

12. Washington Redskins (9-7) - We Don’t Like That

The Redskins come into the playoffs on an impressive four game winning streak, but none of their nine victories this season came against teams that finished better than .500. Despite an offensive unit that is on a roll, the defense has not exactly been inspiring this year and probably won’t hold up for a magical run. If Washington has one thing going for them, it’s that they draw a struggling Packers team in the wildcard round. And Kirk Cousins knows we all like a good underdog story:

11. Houston Texans (9-7) - Need More Wattage

The Texans won the AFC South more or less by default, yet we have them edging out the Redskins on the sheer force of J.J. Watt alone. His play has been as remarkable as ever this season and he leads a tough defense that represents Houston’s best shot at a Cinderella story this year. Brian Hoyer must step in at quarterback and all he needs is enough time to get the ball out to budding superstar DeAndre Hopkins, who can do things like this:

10. Green Bay Packers (10-6) - Packing Their Bags Early?

The Packers have been all over the place this season, and we have no idea which team is going to show up this Sunday. The biggest surprise has been the play of Aaron Rodgers, who has struggled to complete as many passes as we’re used to seeing amidst the absence of Jordy Nelson. A loss to the Vikings in Week 17 may have worked in their favor however, as they face the Redskins in round one and a win could help them pick up momentum for a strong playoff run. It wouldn’t be the craziest thing we’ve seen all season:

9. Minnesota Vikings (11-5) - Can They Bridge the Gap?
   

The Vikings have exceeded everyone’s expectations this season and can definitely make some noise in January. With last season’s off the field controversy behind him, Adrian Peterson is reminding us why he is considered the best running back in the NFL. Teddy Bridgewater will have to do more for the Vikings to really impress us though, and an opening duel with the Seahawks places their sensational campaign in serious jeopardy of ending too early.

 

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)- Back On Track?

These Steelers have some impressive wins under their belt, yet they came with a couple of uncharacteristic losses that were just bad enough to raise some doubts in our minds. Nonetheless, the duo of Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, deadly as ever, could be just enough to carry this team all the way to San Francisco in February. But please Antonio, even if you do win the Super Bowl, for your own sake, don’t ever do this again:

7. Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) - Still Cursed?

The Bengals have cooled off since their 8-0 start and the possibility of Andy Dalton missing their matchup with the Steelers due to an injured thumb only increases the chance that they go one-and-done for the fifth year in a row. In spite of this, the defense is only letting up 17.4 points per game, good for second fewest in the league and could finally be the difference for a franchise that is starving for playoff success.

6. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) - Booming at Just the Right Time
   

A miserable start has turned into another solid regular season for the Seahawks, which culminated in a complete dismantling of their highly touted division rival Arizona Cardinals. The “Legion of Boom” is back, and so too is Marshawn Lynch, which spells bad news for defenses:

5. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) - Still Rolling

The Chiefs may just be the hottest team in the league right now, and that tends to bode well for playoff teams. The offense leaves much to be desired, but a common theme in the postseason field this year is a team with a strong defense, which Kansas City does not lack. Don’t be surprised to see a lot more of this from head coach Andy Reid in Houston on Saturday:

4. Denver Broncos (12-4) - A Tale of Two Quarterbacks

The amazing thing about this year’s Broncos team is that they have never appeared to be particularly dominant in any one game. It doesn’t seem to matter how head coach Gary Kubiak’s team does it, they just find ways to get the job done. Peyton Manning triumphantly returned to the huddle in the second half and led the Broncos to a first-round-bye-clinching defeat of the Chargers on Sunday. With two weeks to get healthy as a result, Manning’s arm may be as fresh as it has been in years for the playoffs. Does he have one more left in him, or his highlights are nationwide commercials from now on?

3. New England Patriots (12-4) - Need Some Inflation This Time Around

The Patriots have lost two in a row heading into the playoffs, but they still managed to earn a first round bye. This gives them two weeks to get their act together and return to the form we saw earlier this season, and last winter on their way to a Super Bowl XLIX victory. Something tells us two weeks is more than enough time for Bill Belichick to get his team ready for a repeat performance.

2. Arizona Cardinals (13-3) - Stumbling, Not Falling

The Cardinals may have been annihilated by the Seahawks last week, but that shouldn’t take away from the remarkable season they have had on both sides of the ball. At age 36, QB Carson Palmer is having the best season of his career and that’s helped rejuvenate veteran wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as well. The defense seems ready to shut down any opponent, even without star defensive back Tyrann Mathieu around to do things like this anymore:

1. Carolina Panthers (15-1) - Good Luck Finding Their Kryptonite

Not everyone seems to be giving these Panthers the respect they deserve, but we feel their record speaks for itself. Ron Rivera has done a masterful job coaching this team, which has proven that it can squeak out a victory in a tightly contested game when they don’t end up in the blowout they plan on. The loss of cornerback Charles Tillman hurts, but there are plenty of capable defenders to make up for it. Oh, and there’s Cam Newton, who really is starting to resemble Superman.

So who will be sporting some shiny new rings on their fingers later this year? As much as we stand by our rankings, history has shown us that the best team in the regular season does not always win it at all. One of these teams will catch fire - and just the right amount of luck - in order to take the podium in San Francisco on February 7th.