ESPN NFL Playoffs 2006

From quarterbacks to special teams to coaching (always a huge factor in the postseason), Scouts Inc. ranks the playoff teams 1-12. After ranking the teams, we assigned a value (one point for first, two for second, etc.) and added the categories. The Chargers, the team with the lowest total, top our power rankings.

Unit rankings: Overall | QB | RB | Rec. | OL | DL | LB | DB | ST | Coaching

1. San Diego: League MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is the most complete running back in the game. He has tremendous vision, balance, change-of-direction skills and uses his power leverage to break tackles. Tomlinson is great in pass protection and a dynamic receiver. Backup Michael Turner is solid.

Larry Johnson

Running Back Kansas City Chiefs Profile

2006 SEASON STATISTICS Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD 416 1789 17 41 410 2

2. Kansas City: Kansas City has been one of the best running teams in the NFL recently. Since replacing the injured Priest Holmes more than a year ago, Larry Johnson has been tremendously durable and amazingly productive. Johnson uses his excellent vision along with great patience in his downhill running style to pound opponents relentlessly. Johnson is a solid screen and check-down receiver. Backup Michael Bennett is capable of going the distance every snap.

3. New York Giants: Tiki Barber, a team leader, provides the bulk of production for New York's offense. He explodes on defenders attempting to tackle him and has great vision. An excellent receiver, Barber is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Big Brandon Jacobs is a powerful complement to Barber.

4. Philadelphia: Brian Westbrook, tremendously productive before Donovan McNabb was injured, turned it up a notch down the stretch. He has tremendous vision and run instincts. He is patient finding a crease and uses his outstanding quickness to burst to the second level. He also has great cutback ability. Defenses must account for Westbrook all over the football field because he also is a fine receiver.

5. New Orleans: The Saints might be the surprise team of the season, but the 1-2 punch out of the backfield is no surprise. The Saints keep teams off balance with the power of Deuce McAllister and tremendous change-of-direction abilities of Reggie Bush. McAllister is a downhill runner with the size to move the pile and enough speed to move the chains. Defensive coordinators must plan to stop Bush as a receiver and home run threat out of the backfield. Bush is a terrific decoy for head coach Sean Payton to use to open up other options.

6. Seattle: Shaun Alexander's smooth moves and deceptive speed make him elusive. Injured much of the season, Alexander has the ability to take over a game and must be contained. In Alexander's absence, Maurice Morris was very productive, and fullback Mack Strong gives the Seahawks depth.

Corey Dillon

Running Back New England Patriots Profile

2006 SEASON STATISTICS Rush Yds TD Rec Yds TD 199 812 13 15 147 0

7. New England: The Patriots have a great tandem in veteran Corey Dillon and rookie sensation Laurence Maroney. Dillon still has a nose for the end zone and consistently moves the chains. Maroney brings the strength to run between the tackles as well as breakaway speed to pop a run and go the distance. New England will use both to keep each fresh. Establishing a strong ground attack opens things for Tom Brady's excellent play-action game.

8. Chicago: The Bears' running backs must take pressure off Rex Grossman to advance. Thomas Jones is the tough, veteran starter who is productive getting the hard yards inside as well. He has the speed to bounce plays outside and turn the corner. Cedric Benson is a bigger back whose punishing style can help control the tempo of the game and move the chains.

9. Dallas: Julius Jones, like his brother starting in Chicago, has the quickness to run the zone scheme inside and speed to hit it outside. Marion Barber is Dallas' weapon near the goal line. When these two solid running backs generate a ground game, Dallas can be dangerous.

10. Baltimore: When Brian Billick took over the play calling, he returned to establishing a rushing attack. He gave Jamal Lewis more touches. This ball-control run game controls the pace, sets up Steve McNair to use play-action passes and keeps the Ravens' dominant defense fresh.

11. Indianapolis: Rookie Joseph Addai averages nearly 5 yards per carry in the Indianapolis zone stretch run game, using the patience of an experienced running back. His burst of speed to split creases quickly gets him to the second level. A strong run game allows Peyton Manning to maximize the effectiveness of his ball-faking skills for play-action. Dominic Rhodes backs up Addai.

12. New York Jets: The Jets have a running back by committee. Veteran Kevan Barlow is a steady first-down back, Cedric Houston gets the tough yardage and Leon Washington brings a great change-of-pace quickness. Washington also is a good receiver and a big-play threat. Former quarterback Brad Smith is a dual threat in situational roles.