NFL Power Rankings: Final Regular Season Edition

56. The Bengals are in the playoffs for a fourth straight season, but can Andy Dalton finally break through? He’s 0-3 with one passing touchdown, six interceptions and a 17.5 Total QBR in his playoff career. – ESPN. (10-5-1). Previous: 7th. Cincinnati Bengals. 8. team

55. The NFL is better when the Steelers are in the playoffs. Call it tradition. Call it the uniform, if you will. Yet, if Le’Veon Bell can’t go Saturday, this Wild Card Weekend is going to feel a bit empty. With him healthy, Pittsburgh can knock off anyone in the AFC. – NFL. (11-5). Previous: 8th. Pittsburgh Steelers. 7. team

(11-5). Previous: 5th. Detroit Lions. 6. team. 50. We’re not going to say “same old Lions.” We are going to repeat another familiar mantra: Matthew Stafford is the X factor in these playoffs. Sure, his offensive line has had its woes, but if you see Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate as a good 1-2 punch (trust me, you do), Stafford has the weapons to make plays. As far as Ndamukong Suh goes, well, what do you want to hear? At this point in his career, his greatness only barely outweighs his capacity to distract. I’m sure he did not mean to step on the injured leg of the guy who was destroying his defense Sunday. – NFL

Don’t sleep on this team. They are clearly a Super Bowl contender. Tony Romo has silenced a lot of critics. – CBS. (12-4). Previous: 6th. Dallas Cowboys. 5. team. 123