The NFL field of teams has been cut from 32 to 14, and we now know who all 14 playoff teams are. How do they stack up against one another? Here are the NFL playoff power rankings ahead of wild-card weekend.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Unfortunately, someone had to win the NFC South, and it ended up being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What is also unfortunate is that they play the Philadelphia Eagles, who have found new ways to shoot themselves in the foot like Tom from Tom & Jerry. The Bucs got in by the skin of their teeth by beating the worst team in the league in Carolina. This will be more or less a formality similar to that of the Royal Rumble. You know out of the 30 participants, there are about five that have a chance of winning, but you still tune it because some entertaining stuff will take place.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers
In Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (I only reference cinematic classics, folks), Mike Myers’ titular character is avoiding an assassination attempt from a female spy, who takes a ton of cartoonish pain and punishment in the process. After Powers tackles her out a window and lands on her, the spy assassin is still alive, causing Powers to yell out “Why won’t you die?!”
That’s the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There is precisely zero reason they should have made it into the postseason after sitting at 7-7 ahead of Christmas Eve, the Steelers rattled off three straight wins on caught every break imaginable along the way, all while playing three different quarterbacks. Somehow, they keep finding ways to remain alive, even when all signs say they are dead in the water.
12. Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love is quickly becoming one of the most fun quarterbacks in the NFL. Almost single-handedly, he dragged the Packers from the edge of the abyss to a wild-card berth in the NFC. As good as he’s been, though, their defense is not to be trusted, especially defensive coordinator Joe Berry. They are 22nd in total yards, and 28th against the run in the NFL. Facing a strong Cowboys offense could lead to a game that gets out of hand.
11. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lost five of six down the stretch, and they look like they have completely fallen apart on both sides of the ball. Their defense has given up 30 or more points four times in that stretch, and their offense scored fewer than 20 points four times. They’ll probably beat the Buccaneers, but it certainly isn’t a guarantee with how they’ve looked over the last month and a half.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
You, the reader, could be the No. 1 receiver for the Chiefs. Marquez Valdez-Scantling is the most unserious starting player in football. He’s basically just doing cardio every week. The lack of receiving help has allowed teams to really key in on Travis Kelce, who hasn’t scored a touchdown since November 20th. Defensively, they’ve been tremendous, ranking sixth in the league in defensive EPA. It’s been such an inverse of what we’re used to with the Chiefs. They look as beatable as they ever have in the Mahomes era.
9. Miami Dolphins
A lot of this boils down to two things: They were destroyed on two separate occasions this season, and they are beat up. Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Xavien Howard, Jaylen Waddle, Raheem Mostert- all are hurt. I need to see the Dolphins play strong football consistently against top teams, which we’ve yet to see. There is a lot of boom or bust to them.
8. Houston Texans
What a story. But the Texans are more than just a feel-good thing. They have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, who by the way is only a rookie, and a head coach who has gotten the absolute best out of his roster. DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud are the first rookie head coach-quarterback pairing to make the playoffs since Andrew Luck and Chuck Pagano and Bruce Arians in 2012. I don’t know how far they’ll go, but they can win a playoff game and perhaps two.
7. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are as dangerous and as hot as any team in football right now. They won their last four games down the stretch, and the offense is as scary as any team in the playoffs. Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua- how many quartets are you taking over that of the Rams? Not many.
6. Cleveland Browns
It feels weird putting the Browns this high, but what have they done to show they shouldn’t be? Their defense is the best in the league, and Joe Flacco has ignited a new life in their offense since taking over last month. Remember when Kurt Warner took over for the Cardinals and they went to the Super Bowl in 2009? I’m not saying… but I am saying. Something similar could happen again.
5. Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are hosting a playoff game. How cool is that? Offensively, they are as good schematically as anyone in the league, and they have the personnel to execute and run up points. If Sam LaPorta misses time, that will be a big blow, especially in what will be an emotional game against the Rams for obvious reasons pertaining to both Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford. Regardless, this is easily one of the best seasons in franchise history.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott said he wasn’t going to throw 10 interceptions this season after he led the league in interceptions last year, and he more than delivered. Instead of leading the league in picks, he led it in touchdown passes. CeeDee lamb has become one of the best receivers in football, as well. Dallas is hot, and it will likely come down to them going to Santa Clara to face the 49ers.
3. Buffalo Bills
I have complete faith that the Bills can win the Super Bowl. On their best day, they can beat anybody. It’s the days where they aren’t their best that worry me. When Josh Allen starts going sicko mode and launching prayers while blaring “Highway To Hell” in his head. That said, this is an AFC that is as wide open as it’s been in quite some time, I like Buffalo’s odds.
2. San Francisco 49ers
We know what a wagon the 49ers are on both sides of the ball. Pro Bowlers and All-Pros on both sides of the ball, and few weaknesses, if any. Christian McCaffrey will continue being the nucleus of the offense, and the rest of the crew comprised of Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle will reap the benefits of that. Now it’s just up to them to take advantage of this talent and get back to the Super Bowl. No excuses.
1. Baltimore Ravens
We’ve seen a movie similar to this for the Ravens before in 2019. This is one of the rare cases, though, where the sequel exceeds the original. Lamar Jackson is much more refined as a passer, his weapons are better, the defense is incredible- this is the most dangerous overall Ravens team… ever? With home-field advantage through the playoffs, the road to the Super Bowl will go through Baltimore. We’ll see if they stay on that road through its entirety.
