You just can't beat the barbecue in Texas. (Photo provided)
You just can't beat the barbecue in Texas. (Photo provided)

It is finally playoff time! And that means only one thing. Over the coming days and weeks you will be reading, watching and listening to why Team A is better than Team B, why Team X will make a deep run in the playoffs and why Team Y is in danger of an early exit. We are here to do things a little different though.

On Thursday Night Live this season we featured cuisine from each team playing in our weekly Food Face-Offs, thanks to our resident Chef, Richard Ingraham. We decided to keep the food theme going by creating a 2014 NFL Playoff team power rankings.

Will Dallas and New England represent their respective conferences in the big game in Arizona as they do in our food rankings? Only time will tell, but until then, bon appetit and enjoy the games!

1. Dallas Cowboys: Everything is bigger (and better) in Texas, right? BBQ? Check. Mexican? Check. In-N-Out Burger now in Dallas? Check. The start of Texas de Brazil? Check. Plus you can wash it all down with an ice cold Dr. Pepper, which was created in nearby Waco, Texas.

2. Seattle Seahawks: Everybody knows that Starbucks started in Seattle, but as far as food is concerned, Seattle brings the heat just like their pressuring defense. If seafood is for you, then so is Seattle. Pike’s Place Fish Market offers everthing from salmon to white fish to crabs and more. Looking for a bite on a budget? Dick’s Drive-In is the spot for burgers and more.

3. New England Patriots: The number one seed in the AFC. Seafood is king in New England with lobster rolls, Chowda and more. Combine that with the start of Dunkin' Donuts and you have a solid three seed.

4. Carolina Panthers: Although the Panthers are located in Charlotte, I am encompassing the whole state. They are the Carolina Panthers, after all. After spending the holidays in the state and gaining a few -- or dozen -- pounds, the combination of bbq, sweets and the Brinson family tomato pie, Carolina surprisingly cracks the top five.

5. Green Bay Packers: Cheese, cheese and more cheese. When the nickname of your fanbase is cheesehead, you are off to a good start. Throw in their love for Brats, beer and butter burgers and Green Bay is not only a favorite on the field, but in the kitchen as well.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers: Any time you have a sandwich that has meat, cole slaw and french fries all together on the same bread as Primanti Bros. does, you are going to be near the top of any food discussion. Add in the pierogi and a Clark bar for dessert and Pittsburgh deserves its ranking.

7. Baltimore Ravens: Crab cakes and football right? That’s what Maryland does. Not enough variety for the Charm City to be higher in my book, but the crab/crab cake combo puts them right smack in the middle.

8. Arizona Cardinals: The go-to food for the Phoenix and Arizona region is, of course, Mexican, with their close proximity to Mexico and as evidenced by these delicious chicken enchiladas cooked up by Chef Ingraham in Week 15. However, Phoenix gets a boost in my book because of the In-N-Out Factor.

9. Denver Broncos: On our Thursday Night Live show this year we showcased Denver’s green chili, but don’t sleep on their bison burgers or Rocky Mountain oysters either. An ice cold Coors Light always helps to wash it down, too.

10. Cincinnati Bengals: Skyline Chili and Graeter's ice cream are nice, but Cincinnati just isn’t bringing the same punch to the playoffs that the teams above them are bringing.

11. Detroit Lions: I have the Lions near the bottom of both the food and real Power Rankings, but the only reason they are not last is because of the delicious burgers that can be found at Miller’s Bar.

12. Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis might be division winners on the field, but only because their division is borderline awful. The same can be said for their cuisine as well with St. Elmo’s the first and only option that comes to mind.