The World's Most Prestigious Power Poll: Final 2012 edition
Congratulations, puny mortals -- The World's Most Prestigious Power Poll has returned one last time for the 2012 season to let you know where things stand as the NFL heads into the playoffs. There is piping hot football knowledge waiting for you. Eat up.
John Leyba - Denver Post
01. Denver Broncos [13-3]: Winners of 11 straight, with the best QB in the NFL and a top defense, too. [NC]
02. New England Patriots [12-4]: Defense is shaky but offense will get the Pats to the AFC Championship game, at least. [NC]
03. San Francisco 49ers [11-4-1]: Is Colin Kaepernick ready for the playoffs? [NC]
04. Atlanta Falcons [13-3]: Need to prove they can win a playoff game. [NC]
05. Seattle Seahawks [11-5]: Must keep winning on the road or wait until next year. [+2]
06. Green Bay Packers [11-5]: Will go as far as Aaron Rodgers takes them because they cannot count on the defense. [NC]
07. Washington Redskins [10-6]: Winners of 7 straight, but have the toughest opponent of any team this week. [+1]
08. Cincinnati Bengals [10-6]: Red hot cats must like their chances of winning in Houston this week. [+1]
09. Houston Texans [12-4]: Worst-looking 12-4 team I've ever seen. [-4]
10. Baltimore Ravens [10-6]: Should easily handle the Colts and then get bounced in the second round. [NC]
Adrian Peterson literally carried his team to the playoffs
11. Minnesota Vikings [10-6]: How far can MVP Adrian Peterson take this team? [+2]
12. Indianapolis Colts [11-5]: One and done in the playoffs, but that's a huge leap for this young team. [+2]
13. Chicago Bears [10-6]: Late season fades finally cost Lovie his job. [NC]
14. New York Giants [9-7]: Great finish to the season, but where was that fire the previous two weeks? [+1]
15. Dallas Cowboys [8-8]: Tony Romo blew it, but he wasn't the nose tackle on a defense that gave up 277 rushing yards in week 17. [-3]
16. Pittsburgh Steelers [8-8]: Once-promising season crumbled, but this solid franchise should recover quickly. [+1]
17. Carolina Panthers [7-9]: Finished strong enough to dream big dreams this offseason. [+3]
18. New Orleans Saints [7-9]: This year's big winner: Sean Payton and his gigantic new wallet. [-2]
19. St. Louis Rams [7-8-1]: Showing promise, but they need some playmakers on offense. [-1]
20. Miami Dolphins [7-9]: Arrow definitely pointing up for this team. [-1]
AP Photo - Bill Feig
21. San Diego Chargers [7-9]: Two wins to finish the season not enough to save Norv & A.J. [+2]
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [7-9]: Coach Schiano wants competition for QB Josh Freeman. Good luck finding that this offseason. [+]
23. Tennessee Titans [6-10]: Coach stays, but what about the QB? [+1]
24. Cleveland Browns [5-11]: New coach must love teaching young people. [-2]
25. Buffalo Bills [6-10]: Fired the coach. Now fire the QB. [+1]
26. New York Jets [6-10]: Kept the coach. Firing everyone else. [-1]
27. Arizona Cardinals [5-11]: Replacing Ken Whisenhunt less important than replacing Kurt Warner. [+1]
28. Philadelphia Eagles [4-12]: Time to sweep this roster clean. [-1]
29. Detroit Lions [4-12]: Can't blame this mess on Matt Millen anymore. [NC]
30. Oakland Raiders [4-12]: Offensive MVP is the kicker. Again. [NC]
31. Jacksonville Jaguars [2-14]: Present is awful. Future now depends on Tim Tebow. Good luck with that. [NC]
32. Kansas City Chiefs [2-14]: One of the worst, most agonizing seasons any team has ever had finally comes to an end. [NC]
