With the NFL Playoffs coming up, it is safe to say that there are 8 teams that are the clear Super-Bowl contenders. This exercise consists on ranking the best 4 teams per conference based upon talent, record, coaching and circumstance. This exercise is based upon the record of the first 13 weeks, and I apologize if your team is not in this ranking or ranked lower than what you thought.

1- Baltimore Ravens (10 - 2). The Ravens are clearly, the NFL’s best team via a premier season by MVP Candidate Lamar Jackson; who has been given a scheme that helps his strengths as a player and building his confidence and leadership. Jackson is making comparisons to a prime Michael Vick and Randall Cunningham. Coach John Harbaugh has done an excellent job adjusting the team’s offense around Jackson providing him with a good running back, Mark Ingram, and an excellent offensive line. The Raven’s defense is a little bit inconsistent and will be the team’s X-factor for their championship run, but there is nothing to worry about with this team. Besides, the team has bitten very good teams, recently New England and San Fransisco. Shout out to Justin Tucker.

2- New Orleans Saints (10 - 2). The Saints were the first team in the league to clinch their division and playoff berth. When Drew Brees injured his thumb, everybody thought the Saints would fall apart; with backup Teddy Bridgewater the team had a record of 5-1 (including an impressive road victory against Seattle). The team’s defense is the best we have seen since the team won the Super Bowl in 2010, leaded by Cameron Jordan and Marshon Lattimore. Drew Brees is back and along MVP candidate receiver Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara; there is no reason why this team cannot be a serious candidate for the NFC.

3- New England Patriots (10 - 2). Many doubt whether the reigning champion is still excellent, or of it is benefiting from an easy schedule, specially after losing against Houston and Baltimore. For me, the Patriots are still a pristine team, ironically, led by an excellent defense with Stephon Gilmore. This team should not be taken lightly, and I would not be surprised if they make it out of the AFC and make it to the Super-Bowl once more amid an excellent defensive identity orchestrated by Bill Belichick.

4- Seattle Seahawks (10 - 2). The Seattle Seahawks are being led by the favorite MVP Candidate, Russel Wilson, which has made his case as the best quarterback in the league. Wilson has led the team in dramatic wins against San Fransisco and Minnesota. The Defense is very good, led by a poised Jadeveon Clowney. Along with DK Metcalf and Chris Carson, the offense is producing at a good level. This team is very good and should be interesting to see their playoff run, specially when the 4 teams of the NFC have equal cases to make it to the Super-Bowl.

5- San Fransisco 49ers (10 - 2). 49ers’ fans are indignant that they are a wild card team and the 6-6 cowboys are a fourth seed. And with good reason, the 49ers had just loosed amazing thrillers against the Ravens and Seahawks, in which both games were decided by one possession. The 49ers are as good as the other teams, led by the 2nd best defense in the league and a lethal

versatile offense. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan has done an excellent job making a culture of discipline in the new miner revival.

6- Green Bay Packers (9 - 3). The Packers are once again following the recipe of hero-ball by part of Aaron Rodgers. The team’s defense is good and has certainly make strides, but it is not as good as the team’s ahead of them in this ranking. Aaron Rodgers has had an excellent season along with revelation Running Back Aaron Jones (which played college for UTEP). This team is still very good and may be the dark horse contender for the NFC but will still give a fight against the rest of teams and may make the Super Bowl.

7- Houston Texans (8 - 4). The Houston Texans have come off from an impressive victory against the Patriots. They are led by an MVP candidate Deshaun Watson orchestrating the offense along DeAndre Hopkins. The defense suffered a blow after JJ Watts’ injury, but the discipline of this team is mighty. Bill O’Brien had done an excellent job of keeping discipline and order among the team. This team is really good, but we will see if they can beat the lights of more talented teams like the Patriots and Ravens in the AFC.

8- Kansas City Chiefs (8 - 4). The Chiefs started the season really strong, but after Patrick Mahomes’ injury and return, the team has not had the record they wanted. The offense is excellent, as always, led by Mahomes, receiver Tyrek Hill and Tight end Travis Kelce, but the defense is straight-up atrocious. They are top-10 in rushing and passing defense, the worst out of the 8 teams in this list. They can still compete for the AFC, but until that defense can become respectable, this team will not go very far.

This year’s playoffs are going to be worthy of the NFL’s 100th season. It will be interesting how the playoffs come around, building expectations for a postseason for the ages. And as they say, it is not about which team has the most talent, but who commits less mistakes. Expect over-time classics coming out from potential matches between these teams

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