With the common season over, there at the moment are 14 NFL groups left standing. However whereas they’re hoping to win Tremendous Bowl LIX and carry the Lombardi Trophy, that dream will solely turn out to be a actuality for one crew.
As a technique to cap off our NFL power rankings, this is how the 14 playoff groups rank in contrast to one another.
1. Detroit Lions (15-2)
The Lions have been the NFC’s best team all season and proved that once more by beating Minnesota on Sunday evening to say the No. 1 seed. They’ve every little thing that screams being championship caliber: a quarterback enjoying at an elite degree, offensive weapons, a coach who will get essentially the most out of his gamers and a protection who can step up when referred to as upon. Whereas it could be unusual for Detroit to be on this place, something shy of a Tremendous Bowl look will probably be a grave disappointment.
2. Baltimore Ravens (12-5)
With Lamar Jackson presumably in line to win his third MVP and Derrick Henry fitting in perfectly and balancing the offensive assault, the Ravens are harmful. So long as they sustain the identical degree of play from latest weeks, this might lastly be the yr for Baltimore to win the AFC with Jackson.
3. Buffalo Payments (13-4)
The Payments laid an egg of their regular-season finale, however that does not matter within the grand scheme of issues. Buffalo continues to be poised to make one other run with Josh Allen often at his best within the greatest video games. Regardless of previous playoff losses to the Chiefs, the Payments did beat Kansas Metropolis this season they usually even have a statement win over Detroit.
4. Kansas Metropolis (15-2)
Even when they appeared vulnerable all through the season, the Chiefs nonetheless discovered a technique to win. It is simply by no means smart to rely out Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes within the playoffs, particularly as they try and turn out to be the primary franchise to ever win three straight Tremendous Bowls.
5. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
The Eagles did not let Saquon Barkley go for the speeding file, resting him so he could be totally able to pursue one thing extra vital — a championship. Philadelphia has loads of expertise, however it’s going to solely go so far as Barkley can carry it.
6. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
Any disappointment about failing to earn the No. 1 seed should not overshadow the exceptional season the Vikings put collectively. However with that stated, Sam Darnold is not blissful to only attain the playoffs. If he can play mistake-free soccer and discover the firepower round him, Minnesota will probably be a tricky out.
7. Washington Commanders (12-5)
Jayden Daniels has supplied Washington followers with hope they have not felt in a very long time. Nevertheless, will Daniels’ inexperience make the NFL postseason stage too massive for the rookie?
8. Inexperienced Bay Packers (11-6)
Which Packers crew goes to indicate up within the playoffs? That is the query looming over Inexperienced Bay. When Jordan Love is at his greatest, Inexperienced Bay can beat anybody. Working again Josh Jacobs would possibly even have the ability to steal a recreation on his again, too. It is the protection that is the largest concern for Inexperienced Bay.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
Baker Mayfield’s continued profession resurgence has been enjoyable to look at and made the Buccaneers offense some of the explosive in soccer. However it’s robust to beat a struggling protection throughout a postseason, even in such an offensive period.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
Jim Harbaugh successfully turned the Chargers around in his first yr as head coach in Los Angeles, however that does not imply he is happy simply making the playoffs. The Chargers have been inconsistent at instances, however additionally they do not rely on Justin Herbert placing up monster numbers with a purpose to win like in years previous.
11. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford know the best way to win a championship, doing so simply three years in the past. They are going to have the benefit of understanding what it takes in any NFC matchup, however Stafford should discover a technique to generate more points or the Rams’ return to the playoffs will probably be short-lived.
12. Denver Broncos (10-7)
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is not getting the credit score he deserves for establishing himself as a strong dual-threat and doing what he needed to do to get Denver again within the postseason. However like with Daniels, it is also exhausting to know the way he’ll react in a playoff recreation atmosphere.
13. Houston Texans (10-7)
After such a formidable rookie season by C.J. Stroud, many noticed the Texans as a sexy pick getting into 2024. As a substitute, they’ve been in every single place and have endured key accidents as properly.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
The Steelers could be a playoff crew once more, however nobody in Pittsburgh believes they will really win within the postseason. And a four-game shedding streak to finish the season warrants putting them at No. 14.
The stress is now on Mike Tomlin to show he can nonetheless win when it issues essentially the most within the playoffs, one thing he hasn’t been in a position to accomplish since 2016. Russell Wilson looks like a shell of who he was earlier this season, George Pickens’ poor play is barely making issues worse, the defense has been exposed and drama continues to seek out the Steelers.
All in all, it could be a miracle if this crew even will get out of the wild-card spherical.
