NFL · 1 day ago

NFL Postseason Power Rankings: Where Do Playoff Teams Stack?

Patrick Kelleher

Host · Writer

#14 Carolina Panthers: NFC Four Seed
The Buccaneers have taken advantage of a weak NFC South for the last half-decade. However, despite losing the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay, the Carolina Panthers have backed their way into the playoffs with an 8-9 record, the franchise's first postseason birth since 2017. Although they might be the weakest team in the postseason pool, the Panthers have something to build on moving forward.

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#1 Los Angeles Rams: NFC Five Seed
It might sound crazy that the fifth seed in the NFC is the top-ranked team entering the postseason. Still, the Los Angeles Rams currently have the league's MVP front-runner in Matthew Stafford, the league's second-leading receiver in Puka Nacua, and a coach many consider the best in football. There is a reason the Rams are the largest road playoff favorite in NFL history. They have the pedigree, they have the experience, and in the end, they have the best all-around team in the league.

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#2 Seattle Seahawks: NFC One Seed
The NFC's No. 1 seed this year belongs to the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Macdonald's defense and Klint Kubiak's offense have guided the Seahawks to their best season since the Legion of Boom years. Sam Darnold has a chance to kill the narrative of his playoff shortcomings in the divisional round. Defense travels, and the Seahawks' defense is as good as anybody's defense.
#3 Philadelphia Eagles: NFC Three Seed
Despite the late-season struggles, the Eagles still enter these playoffs with as good a chance as anyone to repeat as Super Bowl champions. This time of year, you need to run the football and play defense. Week 18's game plan against the Commanders should be a harsh reminder that the team works best when it primarily runs the football. If they are going to defend their trophy, they will have to get through the 49ers first.
#5 Denver Broncos: AFC One Seed
Some might say luck has been on their side the entire season, but the Denver Broncos enter the playoffs as the number one seed in the AFC with a first-round bye. Sean Payton has as much playoff experience as any coach and will always put the Broncos in positions to win close games. With their defense, the Broncos are as dangerous as anybody in the conference.
#4 Jacksonville Jaguars: AFC Two Seed
Liam Coen has entered Jacksonville in his first season and has helped completely revitalize Trevor Lawrence and the offense. The Jaguars just completed their best season since 2017, finishing as the number three seed, and have as good a chance as anyone to come out of the AFC. The road will be far from easy, as they must go through the Bills this weekend.
#6 Houston Texans: AFC Five Seed
People could make a case that the Houston Texans are the team nobody wants to face entering the playoffs. The pass-rushing tandem of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. has made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. At 12-5, the Texans have lost just once over the last three months and look as dangerous as anyone. Their only concern remains the consistency on the offensive side.
#7 New England Patriots: AFC Two Seed
For the first time since Tom Brady was in New England, the Patriots are AFC East champions and will host the LA Chargers in Foxboro this weekend. Second-year QB Drake Maye is currently behind only Matthew Stafford in the MVP race, guiding New England to the No. 2 seed in the AFC. The knock on the Patriots has been their weak schedule and having faced very few playoff teams throughout the season. They have a prime opportunity to put that narrative to bed against the Chargers.
#8 Chicago Bears: NFC Two Seed
For the first time since 2018, the Chicago Bears are in the postseason. The team has seen a resurgence under first-year head coach Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, who is taking that next step in Year 2. Many of their 11 wins came thrillingly, late in the fourth quarter. Johnson and company have the chance to truly make their stamp on this new era in Chicago by knocking out their arch-rival, who has historically dominated them, this upcoming weekend.
#9 San Francisco 49ers: NFC Six Seed
Despite being ravaged by injuries throughout the entire season, the San Francisco 49ers are again in the postseason. They finish as the six seed, thanks to being in the gauntlet NFC West. Injuries and late-season struggles have slightly bumped them down in these rankings. They have a chance for playoff revenge against the Eagles this weekend.
#10 Buffalo Bills: AFC Six Seed
Despite entering the postseason as the AFC's sixth seed, the Buffalo Bills have their best opportunity in the Josh Allen era to reach the Super Bowl, thanks to the absence of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson. Despite their potential, the Bills remain 10th in these rankings due to their defensive inconsistencies and the lack of a true No. 1 receiver for Allen.
#11 Los Angeles Chargers: AFC Seven Seed
The Chargers have a unique ability to look as dominant as any team in the league, and lose to any team in the league any given week. Finishing as the AFC's seventh seed, the Chargers will go to Foxboro to face the New England Patriots. The team's unpredictability keeps them lower on the list. However, nobody would be that surprised if they found a way to take down the Patriots this weekend.
#12 Pittsburgh Steelers: AFC Four Seed
Sunday Night's regular-season finale between the Ravens and Steelers was an all-time classic. Both teams struggled throughout the season; someone had to win the division. Tyler Loop's missed field goal as time expired gifted Mike Tomlin and the Steelers another trip to the postseason. Despite the team's inconsistencies, Pittsburgh will host the Houston Texans on Wildcard Weekend. It would not be surprising to see Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson make life difficult for Aaron Rodgers.
#13 Green Bay Packers: NFC Seven Seed
The Packers enter the postseason with several key injury concerns. Jordan Love missed the last two regular-season games, but he is set to return for Saturday's game. The team has felt the absence of their all-pro Micah Parsons, losing their last four games of the season. It will take a great effort from Love if Green Bay wants to pull off the upset.
#14 Carolina Panthers: NFC Four Seed
The Buccaneers have taken advantage of a weak NFC South for the last half-decade. However, despite losing the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay, the Carolina Panthers have backed their way into the playoffs with an 8-9 record, the franchise's first postseason birth since 2017. Although they might be the weakest team in the postseason pool, the Panthers have something to build on moving forward.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
#1 Los Angeles Rams: NFC Five Seed
It might sound crazy that the fifth seed in the NFC is the top-ranked team entering the postseason. Still, the Los Angeles Rams currently have the league's MVP front-runner in Matthew Stafford, the league's second-leading receiver in Puka Nacua, and a coach many consider the best in football. There is a reason the Rams are the largest road playoff favorite in NFL history. They have the pedigree, they have the experience, and in the end, they have the best all-around team in the league.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

NFL Postseason Power Rankings: Where Do Playoff Teams Stack?

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