#5 Seattle Seahawks (11-5)
The Seahawks are arguably the hottest team in the NFC heading into the playoffs. Rookie Russell Wilson continues to prove he’s the real deal under center in Seattle while the defense and offense only seem to improve on a weekly basis under head coach Pete Carroll.
With seven wins in the last eight games, Seattle has managed to catch the attention of every team in the NFC as well as the entire NFL. Wilson and company will have their work cut out for them right out of the gate against Robert Griffin III’s Washington Redskins, but this team appears to be up to the task and may make a run at the Super Bowl as a result of their resurgence in the second half of the season.
#4 New England Patriots (12-4)
In the two games prior to the regular season finale against the division rival Miami Dolphins, the Patriots began to show some flaws with the team struggling to get back on track after the devastating loss to the San Francisco 49ers (41-34) at Gillette Stadium.
The loss to the 49ers was followed up with a poor performance against two-time Jacksonville Jaguars, but New England was able to bounce back against the Dolphins with All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski returning to the gridiron and helping the team clinch a first-round bye.
#3 San Francisco 49ers (11-4-1)
The 49ers have been a streaky team as of late with no telling how well San Francisco will play week in and week out. Recent injuries to Mario Manningham, Vernon Davis and Justin Smith have played a roll in the team’s recent struggles, but the 49ers were able to clinch a first-round bye and home-field advantage.
San Francisco may turn out to be one of the more dangerous teams in the NFC during the postseason if they can continue to play well on both sides of the football despite their injury problems.
#2 Atlanta Falcons (13-3)
Although no appears to be sold on the Falcons moving forward, Atlanta is in a great position to make a deep run in the playoffs with home-field advantage.
The Falcons are as good as any team in the league at home and that may prove to be enough to make them Super Bowl bound.
#1 Denver Bronos (13-3)
Peyton Manning and company continue to fire on all cylinders with 11 straight wins heading into the playoffs as well as the number one seed in the AFC.
The Broncos may be the team to beat in the AFC with Manning aiming at a second Super Bowl title in his first year in Denver.
