Written by Kevin Kaduk at YahooSports.com
The regular season is finally over and things have fallen into place. Twenty teams already know where they’re picking and will start preparing for the NFL draft. Twelve others have received playoff bids and are harboring Super Bowl hopes of different degrees.
There are 36 possible Super Bowl combinations and in the past, we’ve ranked all 36 from best to worst. But I’ll be honest: I had little clue and even less inclination to figure out how to order games quarterbacked by Tom Savage, Matt Moore or Matt McGloin (and really, it’s a shame none of those quarterbacks can play each other in Super Bowl LI).
So this year, we’ve limited it to the best 20 possibilities based on both storylines and the potential for a good game. And don’t fret Texans or Dolphins fans: Each of the 12 teams makes at least two appearances regardless of the likelihood they’ll even win a single playoff game.
20. Texans-Cowboys: The Texans could be the first team to play a Super Bowl in front of its own fans … who will still probably be outnumbered by the Cowboys contingent.
19. Dolphins-Seahawks: Two teams from the exact opposite corners of the United States and a rematch of a close Week 1 contest that almost saw Miami spring a shocking upset in Seattle.
18. Raiders-Seahawks: The replay of Bo Jackson running over Brian Bosworth would be played at least 20,000 times during Super Bowl week. Old school AFC West represent.
17. Dolphins-Lions: Because you’ve always wanted a media week with Ndamukong Suh as Only two No. 6 seeds have ever won the Super Bowl (2005 Steelers, 2010 Packers) and this would be the first matchup of sixth seeds in the big game.
16. Lions-Texans: Something would have to give on the rare chance the only two teams in the field without a Super Bowl appearance met up.
15. Steelers-Lions: The most successful team of the Super Bowl era against the least. Fun fact: The Lions have only played in four playoff games past the wild card round since 1970; the Steelers have won six Super Bowls over that same stretch.
14. Chiefs-Seahawks: Another possible old school AFC West rematch.
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