There are times in sports when clichés ring true. This weekend in the NFL was one of those times. Football is indeed a game of inches. Minnesota fans know this all too well as they watched a potential game-winning field goal sail wide-left. It has also been said over and over again that playoff football is different. Green Bay's dominant performance in Washington was a testament to how good the Packers can be and how much experience matters in January. The rivalry Wild Card matchup between the Steelers and Bengals served as a reminder that nothing is certain until the clock strikes zero. Heavy explores all this and more in our weekly NFL power rankings. Click the arrow on the right to see this week's rankings. (Getty)
No. 10 Minnesota Vikings
Record: 11-6
Standings: 1st in the NFC North (3rd Seed)
Last Week's Ranking: 9th
Last Game: Lost 10-9 to Seahawks
Trending Down: No team had as heartbreaking of a loss as Minnesota. Blair Walsh hooked a 27-yard field goal that most likely would have advanced the Vikings to the next round. The Vikings are a young team and over time the experience will help them for their future playoff appearances. (Getty)
No. 9 Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 12-5
Standings: 1st in AFC North (3rd Seed)
Last Week's Ranking: 8th
Last Game: Lost 18-16 to Steelers
Trending Down: The Bengals self-destructed in the final minute of their playoff game against the Steelers. It appeared that Cincinnati was headed to face the Patriots in the next round but now will have the whole offseason to think about their mistakes. (Getty)
No. 8 Green Bay Packers
Record: 11-6
Standings: 2nd in the NFC North (5th Seed)
Last Week's Ranking: 10th
Last Game: Won 35-18 over Redskins
Trending Up: Green Bay had the kind of performance fans have been waiting for all season. After a strong second half in Washington, they head to Arizona aiming for different results than when they were dominated by the Cardinals just a few weeks ago. (Getty)
Next Game: at Cardinals 8:15 p.m. ET NBC (Saturday)
No. 7 Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 11-6
Standings: 2nd in the AFC North (6th Seed)
Last Week's Ranking: 7th
Last Game: Won 18-16 over Bengals
Trending Up: Pittsburgh needed penalties by the Bengals with seconds remaining to get into field goal range to kick the game-winning field goal. The Steelers face a Broncos team they beat just a few weeks ago. However, injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown are cause for concern as the team travels to Denver. (Getty)
Next Game: at Broncos 4:40 p.m. ET CBS (Sunday)
No. 6 Seattle Seahawks
Record: 11-6
Standings: 2nd in the NFC West
Last Week's Ranking: 5th
Last Game: Won 10-9 over Vikings
Trending Up: Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. The Seahawks found that out in the frigid Minnesota weather as they were the beneficiary of a missed field goal to advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. They cannot afford another mediocre offensive performance against the Panthers. Seattle lost to Carolina earlier in the season and will get an opportunity to redeem themselves in Charlotte. (Getty)
Next Game: at Panthers 1:00 p.m. ET FOX (Sunday)
No. 5 Denver Broncos
Record: 12-4
Standings: 1st in the AFC (West Division Champion)
Last Week's Ranking: 4th
Last Game: Won 27-20 over Chargers
Trending Down: Peyton Manning is officially the starting quarterback of the Broncos for the playoffs. There are obvious questions as to what type of production Manning will have given his inconsistency early in the season. They find themselves in a tough battle against a Steelers team they lost to earlier this season. (Getty)
Next Game: vs. Steelers 4:40 p.m. ET CBS (Sunday)
No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 12-5
Standings: 2nd in the AFC West (5th Seed)
Last Week's Ranking: 6th
Last Game: Won 30-0 over Texans
Trending Up: Kansas City won their 11th straight game in Houston to continue as the hottest team in the NFL. The Chiefs might have lost receiver Jeremy Maclin but head to New England with a lot of momentum. (Getty)
Next Game: at Patriots 4:35 p.m. ET CBS (Saturday)
No. 3 New England Patriots
Record: 12-4
Standings: 2nd in the AFC (East Division Champion)
Last Week's Ranking: 3rd
Last Game: Lost 20-10 to Dolphins
Trending Down: The Patriots needed the bye as much as any team in the league. Tom Brady is battling an ankle injury and bruised ribs but hopefully the week off aided in the healing process. They face the hottest team in football this week. (Getty)
Next Game: vs. Chiefs 4:35 p.m. ET CBS (Saturday)
No. 2 Arizona Cardinals
Record: 13-3
Standings: 1st in the NFC (West division champions)
Last Week's Ranking: 2nd
Last Game: Lost 36-6 to Seahawks
Trending Down: Arizona had an opportunity to get refreshed after ending the regular season with a bad loss to the Seahawks. The Cardinals possess as good of an offensive and defensive combination as there is in the league. They are going to be a tough out in the playoffs. (Getty)
Next Game: vs. Packers 8:15 p.m. ET NBC (Saturday)
No. 1 Carolina Panthers
Record: 15-1
Standings: 1st in the NFC (South Division Champion)
Last Week's Ranking: 1st
Last Game: Won 38-10 over Bucs
Trending Up: Carolina had the opportunity to sit back and watch the Wild Card weekend games from home. Running back Jonathan Stewart is expected to practice this week and would be a big boost to the offense if he can play. The Panthers have the advantage of playing their playoff games at home as long as they win. This is a different Seahawks team than the one they played early in the season. (Getty)
Next Game: vs. Seahawks 1:00 p.m. ET FOX (Sunday)
NFL Power Rankings: Divisional Round Playoff Edition