The most exciting stretch in sports is here, with the NFL playoffs beginning this weekend. The Wild Card Round power rankings include thoughts on all 32 teams, as over half the league heads to the offseason.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) | Last week: 1
The concern for the Chiefs would be stalled momentum of not playing a game in which they are going all out since Christmas, but they were 15-1 until Week 18 and have as good of a shot as anyone to win it all and three-peat.
2. Detroit Lions (15-2) | Last week: 2
It says a lot about the job Dan Campbell and his coaching staff—led by top head coach candidates Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn—have done (and how much of a juggernaut the Lions offense is) that the Lions are the Super Bowl favorites despite all the injuries they’ve endured. The first-round bye and No. 1 seed are huge for a team that should get running back David Montgomery (knee) for the Divisional Round.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) | Last week: 3
The upside of the Eagles is massive, with a premier offensive line that paves the way for 2,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley pairing with one of the league’s best quarterbacks in Jalen Hurts throwing to A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and company. Defensively, I’d like to see the edge rush get going, but Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis can take over inside.
4. Buffalo Bills (13-4) | Last week: 4
Josh Allen had an MVP worthy season, but I’m curious to see how the Bills fare when things get tighter in the postseason with a receiving group that might have trouble consistently separating. Tight end Dalton Kincaid must come up big and the defense must make stops for the Bills to win it all. That said, Buffalo beat both No. 1 seeds, and Playoff Josh Allen is perhaps the most unstoppable singular force in the league.
5. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) | Last week: 6 (+1)
Lamar Jackson admitted that he’s previously been “too antsy” in the playoffs, and it’s great news to hear he realizes that. The superstar quarterback has very clearly looked like a different guy in the postseason, including with his body language—and it was obvious he was pressing. Baltimore can certainly win it all, but Pittsburgh isn’t an easy first matchup.
6. Minnesota Vikings (14-3) | Last week: 5 (-1)
Detroit’s defense brought non-stop pressure, and the Vikings couldn’t get anything going on Sunday night as they move to the No. 5 seed in the NFC with a trip to the Rams in the Wild Card Round. Minnesota just needs to take care of the ball and make plays like they have all season on defense to have a shot.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) | Last week: 7
Somewhat quietly, the Chargers are red-hot at the right time offensively, with point totals of 34, 40, and 34 over the final three weeks of the regular season (three wins). They’ve earned the No. 5 seed in the AFC and the opportunity for the best matchup on paper among wild cards at the Texans.
8. Los Angeles Rams (10-7) | Last week: 10 (+2)
Before resting some guys last week, the Rams were on a 9-2 stretch since their bye week on their way to an NFC West title. While I was questioning the decision to rest with seeding on the line, I think things could work out for LA in terms of matchups (e.g., not playing the Eagles in the Divisional Round, instead facing a beat-up Lions team they’ve already played tight).
9. Denver Broncos (10-7) | Last week: 12 (+3)
I don’t care if it was against a resting Chiefs squad, the Broncos did what they had to do in emphatic fashion with a 38-0 victory to secure their first playoff appearance since Peyton Manning was the quarterback. At Buffalo is a major challenge, but I wouldn’t count out Denver making a run.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) | Last week: 13 (+3)
The Saints gave them a fight, but the Bucs ultimately came through with a Week 18 win while also getting Mike Evans to 1,000 receiving yards for the 11th consecutive season. Baker Mayfield and the offense can light up the scoreboard and should be in good shape if they avoid mistakes versus the Commanders.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) | Last week: 8 (-3)
The Steelers were riding high at 10-3 and in the mix for the AFC’s top seed, but they’ve now lost four straight games and are limping into the postseason. That said, we know they can be a problem for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, especially with no Zay Flowers (knee).
12. Green Bay Packers (11-6) | Last week: 9 (-3)
The Packers sadly lost receiver Christian Watson due to a torn ACL, and they stunningly lost to the Bears at Lambeau Field. So, the switch must be flipped quick for Matt LaFleur’s team as it heads to Philadelphia.
13. Washington Commanders (12-5) | Last week: 11 (-2)
Marcus Mariota again showed why he is an exceptional backup quarterback for Washington (and other teams should have targeted him as a starter), being inserted for rookie Jayden Daniels for the second half of a comeback win over Dallas that could build momentum for a 12-5 group facing Tampa.
14. Houston Texans (10-7) | Last week: 14
C.J. Stroud made a brief appearance in the regular season finale, a Texans win that at least got the club to 10-7. Remember, Houston was an underdog last postseason before getting a home win over the Browns.
15. Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) | Last week: 15
They ultimately didn’t get in the dance, but the Bengals can be proud of the way they battled to win five straight games with a shot. The decision to fire defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was shocking, though.
16. Seattle Seahawks (10-7) | Last week: 18 (+2)
Seattle is another team that is undoubtedly proud of their performance in the first year under Mike Macdonald, as 10-7 tied them with the division-winning Rams. I’m keeping an eye on Chip Kelly, who wants to run the ball more than people might think, as the next OC after Macdonald moved on from Ryan Grubb.
17. Miami Dolphins (8-9) | Last week: 16 (-1)
Miami must improve the offensive line, and at least the regime said as much during their season-ending press conference. The Tyreek Hill situation is one to watch this offseason, as he might be a ticking time bomb there.
18. Atlanta Falcons (8-9) | Last week: 17 (-1)
The end of the season was a bummer for the Falcons, losing two close games when they would’ve won the NFC South if they both went the other way. However, it was good for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to get playing experience—and his connection with receiver Drake London is one to keep an eye on moving forward.
19. Indianapolis Colts (8-9) | Last week: 19
2025 will be a critical season for the Colts, particularly quarterback Anthony Richardson as he enters his third year. Indy moved on from DC Gus Bradley, creating an interesting opening.
20. Arizona Cardinals (8-9) | Last week: 21 (+1)
Jonathan Gannon’s club feels like it’s right there, with a chance to make a leap in Year 3. As we’ve seen this season, the NFC West is crowded, though.
21. Dallas Cowboys (7-10) | Last week: 20 (-1)
All eyes are on the job status of head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract expires in less than a week—but Dallas is not allowing him to interview for the Bears job. I expect them to run it back with a healthier team next season.
22. San Francisco 49ers (6-11) | Last week: 22
There are going to be some changes in San Francisco (including a new defensive coordinator), but there’s a lot to work with including what looks like an excellent draft class on defense headlined by cornerback Renardo Green and safety Malik Mustapha.
23. Carolina Panthers (5-12) | Last week: 23
No exaggeration, Bryce Young played about as well as any quarterback in football down the stretch. The Panthers clearly have their guy and must surround him with more talent on both sides of the ball.
24. Chicago Bears (5-12) | Last week: 29 (+5)
This was a trying first season for Caleb Williams and the Bears, but there were certainly positive things to take from it and lessons to learn—and it was great to end the 11-game losing streak to Green Bay, especially at Lambeau Field.
25. New York Jets (5-12) | Last week: 27 (+2)
The Jets must get this offseason right—from the front office to the coach to the quarterback—but it was cool to see Aaron Rodgers (very likely) go out of New York and potentially end his legendary NFL career with a four-touchdown performance including his 500th career touchdown pass.
26. New Orleans Saints (5-12) | Last week: 26
Derek Carr has already said he will not take a pay cut to remain with the Saints, and I respect the honesty. New Orleans’ upside shown to start the 2024 season could be appealing to a new coach, but they need more difference-making young additions to the roster.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13) | Last week: 24 (-3)
Jaguars fans are furious over general manager Trent Baalke getting to hire a third head coach, and I wouldn’t count out a new coach with his own ideas bringing in another GM in the coming weeks.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) | Last week: 25 (-3)
Antonio Pierce got his team to play hard but was in a tough spot roster wise, including at quarterback, in Vegas. The Raiders are a squad that obviously needs a franchise quarterback and more weapons.
29. New England Patriots (4-13) | Last week: 32 (+3)
One of the takeaways from Week 18 was how good rookie quarterback Joe Milton looked. But it was overshadowed by the Patriots moving on from head coach Jerod Mayo after just one season—and keeping the front office in place despite what looked like a potentially (it should be given time) disastrous offseason unless Drake Maye becomes a big-time hit at quarterback.
30. Cleveland Browns (3-14) | Last week: 28 (-2)
The Browns must consider a quarterback with the No. 2 pick this spring, and I think getting the right guy could help lead to a quick turnaround for a team that’ll have a healthier Nick Chubb and offensive line next season.
31. Tennessee Titans (3-14) | Last week: 30 (-1)
The Titans fired general manager Ran Carthon, which was not a surprise after two very poor offseasons that included spending big on veterans with the expectation of competing—with no clear team-building plan or identity in hoarding the talent.
32. New York Giants (3-14) | Last week: 31 (-1)
Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are somewhat shockingly back for the Giants, and they’ll have the opportunity to select the team’s next quarterback despite (based on Hard Knocks) apparently not even considering Bo Nix—someone they could have traded up for after also getting star receiver Malik Nabers—in the draft.